The Advent of the Russian Special Operations Command

For what purpose did Russia establish its Special Operations Command This monograph explores why the Russians established a Special Operations Command KSO with its own Special Operations Forces SSO distinct from other special operations elements such as Spetsnaz. After the Georgian War in 2008, the Russian perception of threats within the context of their domestic politics, economic limitations and demography led them to enact a campaign of military reform. Conventional forces became more capable by focusing on operational mobility, combined arms enablers, and reconnaissance. Concurrently, Russian SSO improved on Russias historical experience with special operations by creating a force accountable to its national command authority and capable of operating independently, covertly or in support of conventional operations, as in Ukraine in 2014. Though improving Russias indirect approach beyond its borders appears to be central to the creation of the KSO, other aspects also matter emulation of the West, the need for an economy of force, a complement to conventional operations, and internal domestic competition among security services.