MOSCOW. July 30 (Interfax-AVN) - Alfa, the anti-guerrilla unit of Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), celebrated its 30th anniversary on Thursday.
Top FSB officials, Moscow Mayor Yury Luzhkov, and acting Chechen prime minister Sergei Abramov were among those who attended the celebration, held at the FSB cultural center.
Alfa, initially the A Group of the Soviet KGB, was set up on July 29, 1974, at the proposal of then KGB chief Yury Andropov.
The FSB Public Relations Center says Alfa is comprised of some of the most experienced members of various special forces and that up to 90% of those applying to join the unit fail to meet its physical and psychological criteria.
Alfa had its baptism of fire when it took part in storming the presidential palace in Kabul on January 27, 1979, during the Soviet war in Afghanistan. Alfa members were also involved in other hostilities during that war.
Alfa has carried through several anti-terrorist and hostage release operations and has been involved in Chechnya since 1995.