The Russian term “Spetsnaz” is an abbreviation of spetsial’noe naznacheniya, which translates to “of special purpose.” and was once used to refer to a specific unit of the Main Intelligence Directorate (GSU) that was created during the Cold War. These first Spetsnaz units were formed to conduct reconnaissance and sabotage activities behind enemy lines in response to U.S. nuclear ambitions. However, it now refers to any special and task forces, although it is most associated with the special units of the Russian Federation.
Spetsnaz forces trained in unconventional warfare and were skilled at tactics such as guerilla warfare, reconnaissance, and even political warfare. As per their operational needs, Spetsnaz has used a variety of weapons. Some of these are standard for the Russian army, but others are specialized for the different missions. (Also see: 17 of America’s most elite special forces.)
24/7 Wall St. reviewed Spetsnaz Special Forces Weapons cataloged by Military Factory, an online database of military vehicles, aircraft, and arms to determine the guns used by Russian special forces or Spetsnaz. We excluded guns that are similar to each other and guns that are believed no longer to be in use by the special forces. We ranked the remaining guns according to when they entered service. Supplemental data on the type of weapon, maximum effective range, and the caliber of ammunition used also came from Military Factory.
A range of weapons is included on this list, from silenced assault rifles to automatic grenade launchers. Each of these weapons plays a role in special forces missions, including quiet extractions or guerrilla warfare. Interestingly, the guns on this list that are the same type tend to have similar ammunition.
One of the most recent iterations from the notorious Russian arms manufacturer, Kalashnikov, is one of the weapons featured on this list – the advanced light machine gun RPK-16. First introduced in 2016, it is known as a “Squad Automatic Weapon,” or SAW, which has the suppression capabilities of a machine gun while being chambered for a smaller, assault-style round. This weapon provides for voluminous fire, as the operator is capable of carrying more of its ammunition.
Spetsnaz units are, like many other special forces from other countries, renowned throughout the world for their skill and operational effectiveness. Specifically, Alpha Group is among the world’s 20 top elite special forces.
Here are the firearms used by the Russian Special Forces
35. Izhmash RPK
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Year entered service: 1961
- Type: Light machine gun
- Maximum effective range: 3,280 ft.
- Caliber/ammunition: 7.62x39mm M43 / 5.45x39mm M74
34. Dragunov SVD
Source: zim286 / iStock via Getty Images
- Year entered service: 1963
- Type: Semi-automatic sniper rifle
- Maximum effective range: 4,265 ft.
- Caliber/ammunition: 7.62x54mmR Soviet, 9x54mm, 9.3x64mm Brenneke, .308 Winchester
33. AS Val (Avtomat Special’nyj)
- Year entered service: 1987 (tied)
- Type: Silenced assault rifle
- Maximum effective range: 984 ft.
- Caliber/ammunition: 9x39mm SP-6
32. VSS Vintorez
Source: Courtesy of VSS Vintorez via Facebook
- Year entered service: 1987 (tied)
- Type: Silenced sniper rifle
- Maximum effective range: 1,312 ft.
- Caliber/ammunition: 9x39mm SP-5
31. KBP A-91
- Year entered service: 1991
- Type: Bullpup assault rifle
- Maximum effective range: 3,280 ft.
- Caliber/ammunition: 7.62x39mm, 5.56x45mm NATO
30. Izhmash AN-94 (Abakan)
- Year entered service: 1994 (tied)
- Type: Assault rifle
- Maximum effective range: 1,212 ft.
- Caliber/ammunition: 5.45x39mm
29. OTs-14 (Groza)
- Year entered service: 1994 (tied)
- Type: Bullpup assault rifle
- Maximum effective range: 656 ft.
- Caliber/ammunition: 7.62x39mm, 9x39mm
28. OTs-03 SVU
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Year entered service: 1994 (tied)
- Type: Designated marksman rifle
- Maximum effective range: 3,280 ft.
- Caliber/ammunition: 7.62x54mmR
27. KBP VSK-94
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Year entered service: 1994 (tied)
- Type: Silenced sniper rifle
- Maximum effective range: 1,312 ft.
- Caliber/ammunition: 9x39mm SP-5
26. KBP AGS-30 AGL
- Year entered service: 1995 (tied)
- Type: Automatic grenade launcher
- Maximum effective range: 7544 ft.
- Caliber/ammunition: 30x29mm
25. Izhmash Saiga-12
- Year entered service: 1995 (tied)
- Type: Semi-automatic combat shotgun
- Maximum effective range: 150 ft.
- Caliber/ammunition: 12-gauge
24. KBP OSV-96
- Year entered service: 1996 (tied)
- Type: Anti-material rifle
- Maximum effective range: 6560 ft.
- Caliber/ammunition: 12.7x108mm
23. Accuracy International AWM
- Year entered service: 1996 (tied)
- Type: Bolt-action sniper rifle
- Maximum effective range: 3,610 ft.
- Caliber/ammunition: .300 Winchester Magnum, .338 Lapua Magnum
22. PP-19 Bizon
- Year entered service: 1996 (tied)
- Type: Submachine gun
- Maximum effective range: 328 ft.
- Caliber/ammunition: 9x18mm Makarov, 9x19mm parabellum
21. Accuracy International L115
- Year entered service: 1997
- Type: Bolt-action sniper rifle
- Maximum effective range: 4,921 ft.
- Caliber/ammunition: .338 Lapua Magnum
20. Izhmash SV-98
- Year entered service: 1998
- Type: Bolt-action sniper rifle
- Maximum effective range: 1,968 ft.
- Caliber/ammunition: 7.6x54mm R, 7.62x51mm NATO
19. KSVK 12.7 (ASVK)
- Year entered service: 1999
- Type: Anti-material rifle
- Maximum effective range: 4,920 ft.
- Caliber/ammunition: 12.7x108mm
18. ASM-DT
- Year entered service: 2000
- Type: Amphibious assault rifle
- Maximum effective range: 164 ft.
- Caliber/ammunition: 5.45x39mm
17. PKP Pecheneg (6P41)
- Year entered service: 2001 (tied)
- Type: General purpose machine gun
- Maximum effective range: 5,000 ft.
- Caliber/ammunition: 7.62x54mmR
16. Heckler & Koch HK MP7
- Year entered service: 2001 (tied)
- Type: Submachine gun
- Maximum effective range: 656 ft.
- Caliber/ammunition: HK 4.6x30mm
15. VKS / VSSK (BKC / Vykhlop)
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- Year entered service: 2004 (tied)
- Type: Anti-material rifle
- Maximum effective range: 1,968 ft.
- Caliber/ammunition: 12.7x55mm STs-130
14. SA-24 (Grinch) / 9K338 Igla-S
- Year entered service: 2004 (tied)
- Type: Shoulder-launched anti-aircraft missile
- Maximum effective range: 19,680 ft.
- Caliber/ammunition: 72mm
13. Izhmash AK-9
- Year entered service: 2004 (tied)
- Type: Silenced assault rifle
- Maximum effective range: 656 ft.
- Caliber/ammunition: 9x39mm subsonic
12. Heckler & Koch HK 417
- Year entered service: 2006 (tied)
- Type: Designated marksman rifle
- Maximum effective range: 2,625 ft.
- Caliber/ammunition: 7.62x51mm NATO
11. KBP GM-94
- Year entered service: 2006 (tied)
- Type: Pump-action grenade launcher
- Maximum effective range: 984 ft.
- Caliber/ammunition: 43mm
10. KBP PP-2000
- Year entered service: 2006 (tied)
- Type: Submachine gun
- Maximum effective range: 330 ft.
- Caliber/ammunition: 9x19mm parabellum
8. MP-443 (Grach)
Source: blinow61 / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
- Year entered service: 2008 (tied)
- Type: Semi-automatic pistol
- Maximum effective range: 165 ft.
- Caliber/ammunition: 9x19mm parabellum
7. Izhmash PP-19-01 (Vityaz-SN)
- Year entered service: 2008 (tied)
- Type: Submachine gun
- Maximum effective range: 656 ft.
- Caliber/ammunition: 9x19mm parabellum
6. ORSIS T-5000
- Year entered service: 2011
- Type: Bolt-action sniper rifle
- Maximum effective range: 4,920 ft.
- Caliber/ammunition: 7.62x51mm NATO, .308 Winchester Magnum, .338 Lapua Magnum, .408 Cheytac
5. KBP ADS
- Year entered service: 2013
- Type: Amphibious bullpup assault rifle
- Maximum effective range: 1,650 ft.
- Caliber/ammunition: 5.45x39mm, 5.45x39mm
4. Kalashnikov AK-12
Source: aleks0649 / iStock via Getty Images
- Year entered service: 2014 (tied)
- Type: Assault rifle
- Maximum effective range: 2,000 ft.
- Caliber/ammunition: 5.45x39mm Soviet, 5.56x45mm NATO, 7.62x39mm, 7.62x51mm NATO
3. KMZ A-545
- Year entered service: 2014 (tied)
- Type: Assault rifle
- Maximum effective range: 1,640 ft.
- Caliber/ammunition: 5.45x39mm
2. TekhMash 6G27 Balkan
Source: DIMUSE / E+ via Getty Images
- Year entered service: 2016
- Type: Automatic grenade launcher
- Maximum effective range: 8,200 ft.
- Caliber/ammunition: 40mm caseless
1. Kalashnikov RPK-16
- Year entered service: 2018
- Type: Squad automatic weapon
- Maximum effective range: 2,625 ft.
- Caliber/ammunition: 5.45x39mm
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