The secret evolution of Russia's elite underwater saboteurs
In short: From 1930s wargames to clandestine Cold War operations, the Soviet Union perfected a specialized breed of maritime commando. These 'frogmen' were designed for more than just swimming; they were masters of sabotage, high-value kidnapping, and deep-sea reconnaissance, operating in shadows where traditional navies couldn't reach.
The lineage of Soviet combat divers began with a 1938 wargame in Vladivostok. During this exercise, military divers successfully exited a Shchuka-class submarine through a torpedo tube to infiltrate a naval base and conduct sabotage. While it didn't immediately create a permanent unit, it established the tactical blueprint for underwater infiltration using oxygen rebreathers, dry suits, handguns, and grenades.
World War II saw the formalization of these capabilities with the first combat diver unit formed in Leningrad in 1941. These divers were highly versatile; they conducted over 200 operations ranging from maritime sabotage and demolition to rescue missions. Notably, female divers like Dina Guseva participated in riverine rescues as early as 1940. The units also performed unconventional tasks such as clearing wharf approaches and recovering equipment or personnel from sunken ships.
During the Cold War, the Soviet Navy expanded these capabilities into a massive infrastructure of 'naval assault pioneers.' By the 1950s, secret Detached Naval Reconnaissance Points (OMRPs) were established for high-risk operations. These units were organized into brigades capable of deploying up to 100 teams for assassinations, kidnappings, and maritime sabotage. To counter these threats, the Soviets also developed PDSS—specialized anti-diversionary forces designed specifically to detect and neutralize enemy frogmen.
Today, while many Soviet units were downsized after the USSR's dissolution, elite naval special operations remain active across Russia's four fleets. These units, often referred to as 'combat swimmers,' are comparable in capability to U.S. Navy SEALS. They utilize specialized hardware like 'Piranha' midget submarines and 'Triton' series vehicles to transport teams of up to six divers for clandestine maritime warfare.
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