According to some rumors, Beta Group (also known as Spetsgruppa B) was created within the First Chief Directorate of the KGB with similar duties to those of Alpha Group, although for operations in foreign theatres. Not known if it still exists or was merged with other Spetsnaz units within the KGB, like Vympel.

Some argue that in reality no such group has ever existed. In this belief, once Spetsnaz unit "Vympel" was temporarily renamed to "Vega" (in Russian, "Вега" or just "B") and was subordinated to the MVD. But then, once policy makers realized the idiocy of that move, they re-subordinated "Vega" to the FSB (ex-KGB) and renamed it back to its original historical name "Vympel" (or Department V of CSN FSB RF). So, in other words, there is no such thing as "Beta group".