(Franco Iacch)
13/10/15

http://www.difesaonline.it/mondo-militare/siria-putin-invia-la-zaslon-lunit%C3%A0-che-ufficialmente-non-esiste

The Zaslon (screen) could be in Syria as a precautionary measure in case. The role of businessmen Zaslon, at the Russian Embassy in Damascus, the Omar Ben al-Khattab Street, appears to be more than a rumor.

The security agents of the intelligence services is guaranteed by diplomatic immunity (this explains their deployment in the embassies). The downside is, however, limited their freedom of action. The counter-intelligence services of the host countries are usually aware of the identity of the diplomatic "spy" and are therefore "controlled". But for Zaslon, the situation is totally different because unlike advertised Alfa and Vympel, their existence is denied by the Russian government. And 'the most secret units between "spetsgruppy" formed between 300 and 500 operators undercover.

It does not officially exist. And 'directly to the directorate "S", in charge of all the missions of the undercover agents maximum around the world. The Zaslon is a sort of insurance policy in case things go wrong. Composed exclusively of at least fifteen Specnaz operational missions abroad, it was incorporated in 1999 as a special unit under the exclusive control of the Intelligence Service International (Foreign Intelligence Service) who inherited the skills of the First Central Directorate. The SVR directs operations of espionage political, strategic, economic and military support from its headquarters in the district Yasenovo Moscow.

It is no coincidence that the creation of Zaslon coincides with the rise of Putin. Under the former lieutenant colonel in the KGB, the secret services and special units Russians have reached a new professional standard, through the massive use of advanced technology. Trained to operate abroad (every user must be fully aware of at least four languages), their missions range assassination to hostage rescue, the recovery of sensitive data to the counter. Operators Zaslon not have their own uniform, a badge or a badge that can distinguish them from the other units. They wear civilian clothes, and when the mission requires, have the right to use any currency of the Russian armed forces (and not). We know that are normally deployed in high-risk embassies and a number of Zaslon would operate in Damascus on intelligence and advisory role in support of the Mukhabarat (secret service) Syrian. If something goes wrong, the Zaslon the task of resolving the crisis, with minimal exposure of the Kremlin, esfiltrando diplomatic and sensitive material. If required, they are allowed to use deadly force.

The presence of Zaslon - wrote on the website of IHS Jane's intelligence - has been confirmed during the last days of the dictatorship of Saddam Hussein. Their mission was to retrieve documents, military technology and whatever Moscow had expressed to the Americans. The Zaslon escorted the former director of the Foreign Intelligence Service Mikhail Fradkov during his visit to Damascus last year. To Zaslon also responsible to eliminate cells that have directly or indirectly affected the Russian diplomatic corps.

The Zaslon, in 2006, would come into action to remove the perpetrators of the murder of four Russian diplomats in Iraq. After the death of Alexander Litvinenko, a former secret agent who later became a bitter enemy of Putin, there would be agents Zaslon. If the secret weapon of Putin was actually deployed in Syria, the Russians could have a twofold objective: to cover Moscow by public opinion and by the international community and bring home projects of sensitive technology delivered to the Syrians.

There would then be a third goal, perhaps the one closest to reality. Behind the unconditional support for Assad, Moscow would be ready to intervene if the government were to fall.

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IZAKOVIC