The 14th Separate Special Purpose Brigade (Russian: 14-я отдельная бригада специального назначения) is a spetsnaz military formation of Russia, subordinate to the Spetsnaz GRU. The unit is garrisoned in Ussuriysk, Primorsky Krai. Its military unit number is 74854.[1][2]
| 14th Separate Special Purpose Brigade | |
|---|---|
| 14-я отдельная бригада специального назначения | |
 | |
| Active | 1963-present |
| Country |  Soviet Union (1963–1991) Russia (1991-present) |
| Branch |  Spetsnaz GRU |
| Garrison/HQ | Ussuriysk, Primorsky Krai |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Colonel Arsalan Irinchinov |
It has been reported by the BBC that the unit took part in the Battle of Vuhledar of the Russian Invasion of Ukraine.[3]
History
The unit was formed on January 1, 1963.[2]
Within the Soviet-Afghan War the unit participated from 1984 onwards with over 200 servicemen. They were primarily tasked with denying the Mujahideen supplies from Iran and Pakistan.[4][2]
They participated in both the First Chechen War in January to April 1995 and the Second Chechen War where they were engaged in the Battle of Komsomolskoye. They were active in the Second Chechen War from 1999 to 2006.[4]
During the Russian Invasion of Ukraine the unit was part of the failed Battle of Vuhledar in early 2023.[3]
Commanders
| No. | Name | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colonel Pavel N. Rymin | 1963 | 1970 |
| 2 | Colonel Alexander A. Drozdov | 1970 | 1973 |
| 3 | Colonel Nikolai A. Demchenko | 1973 | 1975 |
| 4 | Colonel Anatoly M. Baglai | 1975 | 1978 |
| 5 | Colonel Viktor F. Grishmanovsky | 1978 | 1980 |
| 6 | Colonel Vitaly A. Onatsky | 1980 | 1987 |
| 7 | Colonel Yakov A. Kurys | 1987 | 1992 |
| 8 | Colonel Aleksander I. Likhidchenko | 1992 | 1997 |
| 9 | Colonel Andrei M. Rumyankov | 1997 | 1999 |
| 10 | Colonel Sergei P. Degtyarev | 1999 | 2011 |
| 11 | Colonel Arsalan Irinchinov | 2011 | present |
Structure
Structure of the unit as of 2023:[2]
- 282nd Special Purpose Detachment (military unit number 20662)
- 294th Special Purpose Detachment (military unit number 20706)
- 308th Special Purpose Detachment (military unit number 20707)
- 742nd Special Purpose Detachment