page_title: Alpha Group
section_title: In Ukraine
hierarchical_section_title: Alpha Group / In other post-Soviet states / Ex-Soviet regional Alpha units / In Ukraine
caption_attribution_description: Українська: Логотип спецпідрозділу Служби Безпеки України "Альфа" Русский: Логотип спецподразделения Службы Безопасности Украины "Альфа" English: Logo Special Forces of the Security Service of Ukraine "Alpha" Deutsch: Logo Special Forces der Sicherheitsdienst der Ukraine "Alpha" Polski: Siły specjalne logo Służby Bezpieczeństwa Ukrainy "Alpha" Magyar: Logo Special Forces a biztonsági szolgálat az ukrán "Alpha"
context_page_description: Spetsgruppa "A", also known as Alpha Group, or Alfa, whose official name is Directorate "A" of the FSB Special Purpose Center, is an elite, stand-alone sub-unit of Russia's special forces. It is a dedicated counter-terrorism task force of the Russian Federal Security Service, which primarily prevents and responds to violent acts in public transportation and buildings. It was created by the Soviet KGB in 1974. Although little is known about the exact nature of its primary directives, it is speculated that the unit is authorised to act under the direct control and sanction of Russia's top political leadership, similar to its sister unit, the Directorate "V", which is officially tasked with protecting Russia's strategic installations. It is also available for extended police duties, for paramilitary operations, and for covert operations, both domestically and internationally.
context_section_description: Special Group "Alpha" is a branch of the Security Service of Ukraine; and a successor of the Soviet Union's Alpha Group. It has continued to be informally called "Alpha".
caption: The badge of SBU Alfa Group.
exif: {}