Lesson plan

Alpha Group

Spetsgruppa "A", also known as Alpha Group, officially Directorate "A" of FSB Special Purpose Center ( ), is a sub-unit of Russian special forces within the Russian Special Purpose Center of the Federal Security Service (FSB). It was created by the Soviet KGB in 1974. Although little is known about the exact nature of its primary directives, it is speculated that the unit is authorized to act under the direct control and sanction of Russia's top political leadership, similar to its sister unit, the Directorate "V" (Vympel), which is officially tasked with protecting Russia's strategic installations, as well as conducting black operations inside and outside Russia. It is also available for extended police duties, for paramilitary operations, and for covert operations, both domestically and internationally.

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Article summary

Spetsgruppa "A", also known as Alpha Group, officially Directorate "A" of FSB Special Purpose Center ( ), is a sub-unit of Russian special forces within the Russian Special Purpose Center of the Federal Security Service (FSB). It was created by the Soviet KGB in 1974. Although little is known about the exact nature of its primary directives, it is speculated that the unit is authorized to act under the direct control and sanction of Russia's top political leadership, similar to its sister unit, the Directorate "V" (Vympel), which is officially tasked with protecting Russia's strategic installations, as well as conducting black operations inside and outside Russia. It is also available for extended police duties, for paramilitary operations, and for covert operations, both domestically and internationally.

Key claims

  1. date of establishment: 1992 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95
  2. members: 14 members — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95
  3. members: 120 people — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95
  4. members: 333 people — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95
  5. members: 1995, members — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95

Discussion questions

  1. Summarise the article in your own words. Which single claim would you verify first, and why?
  2. The record states that the date of establishment is "1992". What evidence would count against this claim?
  3. The record states that the members is "14 members". What evidence would count against this claim?
  4. The record states that the members is "120 people". What evidence would count against this claim?
  5. The record states that the members is "333 people". What evidence would count against this claim?
  6. The record states that the members is "1995, members". What evidence would count against this claim?
  7. Which claim in this article is most likely to be revised as the sources update? How would you check its current status?
  8. If two sources disagreed about one of these facts, what would you need in order to trust one over the other?

Bibliography

  1. Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1372661214

Key claims and bibliography are generated from the same tracked claims and sources as the article page.