Combat Vehicles of Russia's Special Forces: Spetsnaz, airborne, Arctic and interior troops (New Vanguard)

Great insight into the different equipment used by these formation in the Russian army and the operational experience in the equipment use. Book has many pictures and drawing with easy to read and follow

The Putin regime has vigorously pursued Russia's security interests at home and abroad. The preferred means is often special forces troops deployed by the military and other government departments. The need to operate in a variety of urban and field environments has spawned an array of specialized combat vehicles, the subject of this fascinating Osprey New Vanguard Series book by Mark Galeotti.In a brisk 48 pages, loaded with photographs and illustrations, the author described how the special forces get to work. Some of the vehicles are derivatives of standard military versions. Others are modified commercial vehicles. The variety is astonishing. Well recommended to students of the new Russia.

I thought that the booklet (40+ pages) provides good general discussions of the various types and models of vehicles being used or contemplated by the many and varied Russian special security forces. Most of the vehicles are provided by two major manufacturers: GAZ and KamAZ. Other manufacturers are Ural (UAZ), Volga (VPK), ZIL, Kalashnikov, and assorted lesser manufacturers of combat buggies and snowmobiles.There are a few basic tabulations of dimensions (weight, length, width, height) and performance characteristics. Armaments are discussed in the text. There is no information on armor thicknesses; this probably is regarded by the ever-paranoid Russians as secret. There are sometimes descriptions of the theoretical or basis of design criteria such as resistant to 7.62 mm or12.7 mm machine gun fire.I thought the best line in the booklet occurs in page 36 in describing the ZIL "Karatel" LMV as "a low, slab-sided, and broad grilled MRAP that, in fairness, does look as if Batman ought to be driving it."

thank you

Within the constraints imposed by the standard 48 page Osprey format Galeotti has produced an informative, interesting, and well written discussion of the specialist vehicles used by Russia's plethora of overlapping and competing paramilitary and specialized military forces. It helps one understand why so many of these vehicles are now rusting shattered hulks scattered across the Ukrainian countryside.It is particularly valuable to understand how the VDV's (airborne forces) obsession with firepower led to it deploying so many vehicles that were "egg shells armed with sledgehammers." The fruits of this design imperative can be seen rusting away on many roads throughout northern and eastern Ukraine. Such losses weaken immensely Russia's key land strike force.When combined with Galeotti's other books on Putin's military and security forces this book helps one have a much better understanding of why the Russo-Ukrainian War is unfolding as it is.Highly recommend.

Covers every vehicle but in such small detail, the BMD alone should be a whole New Vanguard on its own.

The author has done a good job within the usual limitations of a new vanguard book . Good illustrations and narrative including a few user commentswell worth it

Great book on vehicles of Russian special forces