Russian Security and Paramilitary Forces since 1991
Author: Mark Galeotti
Illustrator: Johnny Shumate
This 64 page paperback book is number 197 in the Elite series of books available from Osprey Publishing.
While the size of Russia’s regular forces has shrunk recently, its security and paramilitary elements have become increasingly powerful. Under the Putin regime they have proliferated and importantly seem set to remain Russia’s most active armed agencies for the immediate future. In parallel, within the murky world where government and private interests intersect, a number of paramilitary ‘private armies’ operate almost as vigilantes, with government toleration or approval. This book offers a succinct overview of the official, semi-official and unofficial agencies that pursue Russian government and quasi-government objectives by armed means, from the 200,000-strong Interior Troops, through Police and other independent departmental forces, down to private security firms. Featuring rare photographs, and detailed color plates of uniforms, insignia and equipment, this study by a renowned authority explores the Putin regime’s shadowy special-forces apparatus, active in an array of counter-terrorist and counter-mafia wars since 1991.
The Contents of this book is:
- Introduction
- MVD Forces
- The Interior Troops (VV
- The Federal Security Service (FSB)
- Other Forces
- Guns for the Masses
- Tools of the Trade
- Select bibliography
- Index
Color photographs and drawings abound in this Elite title. Russian Security and Paramilitary Forces is a remarkable work that should be in the reference collection of any figure painter or modeler as it illustrates a large number of different uniforms and badges that may not easily be found in any other title.
