See NPO Vympel for the Russian air-to-air missiles designerSpetsgruppa "B" (Cyrillic for V), often referred to as Vympel (pennant in Russian, originated from German wimpel, and having the same meaning), but also known as KGB Directorate "B" , Vega Group is an elite Russian spetsnaz unit under the command of the FSB. Vympel is the sister unit of Spetsgruppa "A"(Alpha Group), a KGB/FSB unit, specialised in counter-terrorism missions and covert operations.