Spetsnaz: Russia’s Special Forces: Elite Mark Galeotti Osprey Publishing

Spetsnaz

Russia’s Special Forces

Spetsnaz

Russia’s Special Forces

Description

When the shadowy, notorious Spetsnaz were first formed, they drew on a long Soviet tradition of elite, behind-the-lines commando forces from World War II and even earlier. Throughout the 1960s-70s they were instrumental both in projecting Soviet power in the Third World and in suppressing resistance within the Warsaw pact. As a powerful, but mysterious tool of a world superpower, the Spetsnaz have inevitably become the focus of many 'tall tales' in the West. In this book, a peerless authority on Russia's military Special Forces debunks several of these myths, uncovering truths that are often even more remarkable. Now, since the chaotic dissolution of the USSR and the two Chechen Wars, Russian forces have seen increasing modernization, involving them ever more in power-projection, counter-insurgency and anti-terrorism and the Spetsnaz have been deployed as a spearhead in virtually all of these operations. This book offers a unique, absorbing guide to the secrets of the Spetsnaz, their most noteworthy missions and personalities, but is also packed with details such as orders-of-battle, equipment and operational doctrine.

Introduction: overview; background in Russian history and culture
The Spetsnaz Tradition: special units of the Bolshevik Red Guard, and behind-the-lines NKVD operations in World War II /Cold Warriors: foundation by GRU, 1950
Operations 1960s–70s: Angola, Czechoslovakia, etc, and order-of-battle 1980
Operations in Afghanistan, and order-of-battle
Spetsnaz after the USSR: the turmoil of the 1990s
Tajikistan and Moldova, imitation units in post-Soviet states
Operations in Chechnya, the Chechen Spetsnaz
Modern Spetsnaz: increasing strength and importance
Naval Spetsnaz, and order-of-battle 2013
Special Weapons
Index

Product details

Published	Jun 23 2015
Format	Paperback
Edition	1st
Extent	64
ISBN	9781472807229
Imprint	Osprey Publishing
Illustrations	Fully illustrated with photographs and specially commissioned artwork
Dimensions	10 x 7 inches
Series	Elite
Short code	ELI 206
Publisher	Bloomsbury Publishing

Author

Mark Galeotti

Mark Galeotti is a scholar of Russian security aff…

Illustrator

Johnny Shumate

Johnny Shumate works as a freelance illustrator li…

Spetsnaz: Russia's Special Forces chronicles everything from their origins to recent headlines. The Spetsialnogo naznacheniya (Special Designation) troops have carved out a reputation for ruthless efficiency, proficiency and ferocity. However, the Spetsnaz seem to be rather misunderstood and to some extent even mythologized. Mark Galeotti, an internationally recognized expert, traces their history while outlining the evolution of their organization, missions and character. Their uniforms, equipment and weapons are detailed in depth. Galeotti shows how the Spetsnaz are the cornerstone of a new Russian way of war that stresses deception, surprise and speed, ensuring that they will maintain their elite status for the foreseeable future.

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