Incorporating lessons from Western special operations forces (SOF), the Kremlin had established its own equivalent of the U.S. Army’s elite 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta—better known ...

Nonetheless, the 2000-man strong KSSO—which perhaps bears more than a passing resemblance to Delta’s parent command JSOC—is still a work in progress and Russia continues to build up its capabilities.

For one athlete at this year’s World Para Athletics Championships, competing in London has already made him a winner whether he reaches the podium or not. Ahmed Al Ksso made his World Championship ...