Training
Alpha units train similar to that of British SAS and other counter-terrorism forces across the world, most like the French GIGN, but the Soviet military wanted them to be different from western units. They're training involves characteristics of the Spetsnaz GRU, including trying to teach the operatives to "absorb" pain.
Nowadays, it is about the same, except for the less brutality in their units. In Soviet times, they were trained to put the mission before they're comrades. Today, it is the opposite.
Along with the Russian commando frogmen, Alpha is one of the few spetsnaz units to be trained in underwater tactics. They also are trained in climbing and rappelling, marksmanship, hostage rescue, demolition, chemical warfare, parachuting, being able to operate any vehicle that can be used, door-to-door combat, breach and clear room tactics, operating in any enviroment, and negotiating. Note that Alpha does tend to have a "we don't negotiate with terrorists" approach with their missions, but in cases such as the Beslan school hostage crisis, the negotiating was not mainly involving Alpha.
Read more about this topic: Alpha Group
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