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Product Identifiers

PublisherBloomsbury Publishing

ISBN-101780961057

ISBN-139781780961057

eBay Product ID (ePID)160043569

Product Key Features

Original LanguageEnglish

Book TitleRussian Security and Paramilitary Forces since 1991

Number of Pages64 Pages

LanguageEnglish

TopicMilitary / Special Forces, Russia & the Former Soviet Union, Military / General, Law Enforcement

Publication Year2013

IllustratorYes, Shumate, Johnny

GenrePolitical Science, History

AuthorMark Galeotti

Book SeriesElite Ser.

FormatTrade Paperback

Dimensions

Item Height0.2 in

Item Weight9.2 Oz

Item Length9.7 in

Item Width7.1 in

Additional Product Features

Intended AudienceTrade

LCCN2012-277838

Reviews"The relatively brief history of these contemporary units is reflective of the story of Putin's rise to a stranglehold on power and the resurrection of the Russian bear's claws. Intriguing insights make this book well worth reading." -- Toy Soldier & Model Figure magazine, "The relatively brief history of these contemporary units is reflective of the story of Putin's rise to a stranglehold on power and the resurrection of the Russian bear's claws. Intriguing insights make this book well worth reading." --Toy Soldier & Model Figure magazine, "The relatively brief history of these contemporary units is reflective of the story of Putin's rise to a stranglehold on power and the resurrection of the Russian bear's claws. Intriguing insights make this book well worth reading." -- Toy Soldier & Model Figure magazine

Dewey Edition23

Series Volume Number197

Dewey Decimal355.31

Table Of ContentIntroduction : Historical overview of Russian security and paramilitary forces, including their part in the failed coup against Gorbachev in 1991, the successful take-over by Yeltsin in 1993, and the rise of Putin The Police: Roles, organization and equipment, OMON riot police, SOBR and OMSN snatch squads, and the fight against the Mafiya The Interior Troops (VV): Roles, organization and equipment, VV Spetsnaz, Vega, ODON, MVD, and the war in Chechnya The FSB: commando units Al'fa, Vympel, Zenit, etc., and FSB control of Border Troops 'Warlords in Suits': Independent ministerial forces, Federal Protection Service, Justice Ministry, Ministry of Emergency Situations Guns for the Masses: Private security firms and vigilante forces The Opposition: Anti-Moscow organizations in the North Caucasus Tools of the Trade: Special weapons and equipment Select bibliography Plate commentaries Index

SynopsisFeaturing full-colour artwork, this study of Russia's security and paramilitary forces, spearheading operations in Chechnya and elsewhere in the Caucasus, is written by an international authority., A detailed illustrated study of Putin's shadowy security and paramilitary armed forces. 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 colour 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., Whilst under Putin's regime the size of Russia's regular forces has shrunk recently and will continue to do so, its security and paramilitary elements have become increasingly powerful. In fact, recently they have proliferated - as have their special uniforms and kit - and have become disproportionately important, spearheading all recent operations. They 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 (in Moscow alone, the largest four security companies have c. 8,000 armed operatives). While some elements have been created in response to real challenges from terrorism and organized crime, other special groups owe more to 'bureaucratic warlordism' in other Ministries. Most visibly, several government agencies have been heavily involved in the wars in Chechnya and elsewhere in the Caucasus. This conflict has spread, requiring counter-terrorist operations both there and inside Russia by the Interior Troops and the Federal Security Service (ex-KGB). Counter-terrorist defence is also provided by a Presidential Security Service. Simultaneously, the long fight against the 'Mafiya' has given birth to special Police and other Justice Ministry units. At the fringes of such activities are parachute-trained combat medics, disaster-relief and fire-fighting officers of the Ministry of Emergency Situations. In the face of lawlessness born in the chaotic years of Boris Yeltsin's reign in the 1990s, there has also been a toleration of armed civilian vigilante groups in the Caucasus and Russian Far East, with the reappearance of Cossack patrols and other groups, which are provided at a community level with arms and uniforms in return for taking over local security. Featuring rare photographs, and detailed color plates of uniforms, insignia and equipment, Mark Galeotti, 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.

LC Classification NumberUA776