Russian Security and Paramilitary Forces since 1991 (Elite Book 197)

I think author Mark Galeotti has done a fine job of giving the reader a lucid overview of the often confusing security situation in post-communist Russia. This is an Osprey book and has all the usual excellent photos and color plates. Good color artwork by Johnny Shumate too.The author begins with a short review of secret police since the communist revolution and subsequent state security (or, oppression, actually) apparatus as well as the confusing situation when the evil empire collapsed. The new government and the challenges it faced required a new look at internal police and security requirements. It didn't always rationally make good decisions. There were units retained from the Soviet era, new units created (but not fully funded), expanded roles for other services. Like in the US, where SWAT teams have proliferated among federal agencies (even the Forest Service has a SWAT team), many of these units are created to have an "elite" unit and get more funding.Some of these units were thrown into combat in Chechnya as a result of the implosion of the Red Army and subsequent Russian conventional army. Interior ministry troops, state police, spetsnaz (from different agencies...yeah, confusing, isn't it?) and had to struggle with poor training, scsnty resources and an effective opponent. The Beslan massacre and the Dubrovka Theater are covered briefly and give a good idea of the effectiveness of these units.One will note the often conflicting and confusing jurisdictions and overlapping responsibilities. The book ends with a brief, but decent, inventory of weapons used by these units. On the whole, a good intro to the subject and I do recommend it with four stars.

"Russian Security and Paramilitary Forces since 1991" is a superb introduction into the proliferation and use of specialized security units in Russia since the fall of the Soviet Union. In this Osprey Elite Series book, author Mark Galeotti makes sense of the many heavily-armed and specially-trained paramilitary organizations created to police dissidents and demonstrations, defeat terrorists and criminal groups, and conduct counterinsurgency inside and outside the borders of Russia.The old Soviet Union had a variety of specialized security units designed to help the regime maintain internal control. The fall of the Soviet Union created new instabilities and threats to order. The institutional response has been to create and equip units capable of armed response to threats. The MVD or police, the Interior Ministry, the Federal Security Service, and other government agencies each have their own specialized units. These specialized units resemble SWAT teams, heavily-armed police, special forces, commandos, or even conventional military units.The book has an excellent selection of photographs, illustrations, and color plates to specify the uniforms, equipment, and identifying insignia of security and paramilitary units. The author cites a number of case studies, including the Chechen campaigns, the 2004 Beslan Massacre, and the Dubrovka Theater hostage crisis, as examples of unit operating methods. "Russian Security and Paramilitary Forces since 1991" is especially impressive given the constant changes in the naming conventions and subordination of some units; highly recommended.

As you read through the myriad of Russian forces and their Byzantine structures, three things may come to mind. First, the proliferation of units since 1991 has come largely during Putin's reign. Second, the inter-agency rivalries must be enormous and so would be coordination and cost. Lastly, it was this type of structure that helped end The Third Reich. These forces number over 400,000 personnel...remember this does not include the military. That seems mind boggling but Russia covers 9 time zones, have 143 million citizens and is comprised of 83 republics and regions (it is a country of committees that get little done).These forces protect the laws of the state not the rights of the individual. This feels palpable if you have ever visited the country. It also explains why there are dedicated forces set aside for crowd and riot control in larger urban centres. Author Galeotti does a fine job documenting purpose, equipment and uniform of each. Subtle in his tone is conflicting admiration for this might and a bewilderment for its existence.

The reorganization of Russian state security forces following the dissolution of the USSR has left many confused as to who is doing what over there. Some people still think the KGB still exists, though its functions were split between the FSB and the SVR years ago. Anyone who wants to know who is responsible for securing law and order within Russia and securing Russian interests outside of it would do well to read this book.

the subject of russian security is too big for a little book like this cover in depth. but this is a pretty good overview . . . . . with lots of pictures

This is one of the best Osprey books I've seen.My thanks to Osprey and to the author Mark Galeotti for putting out a book on this subject.Everything about Russian history is fascinating, especially their military, police, and security organs.As for the photos and color plates, they are some of the best I've seen. The color plates alone are worth the price of the book.My highest recommendations.

A very difficult topic to research or gather materials on. I was expecting something more extensive. It provides a good overview with some insight not found elsewhere, but lacks any real depth. A few chapter, such as on weapons and equipment were less informative than some Wikipedia articles. Sketches meant to provide examples give the feel of a children's book. Holding publishing until proper photos could be had would have been better.

While even the Soviet Union possibly employed more non-army paramilitary units than would be common in the West, these practically exploded in the years after the collapse. As such the book is a very timely and useful guide to provide the more casual observer a structured overview of the current situation in Russia.Over the last 25 or so years various agencies, from the police, border guards, to forestry and fishery protection units all spawned various special units with varying degrees of combat / military potential. While some of the more notorious will be possibly known to non-Russian observers, there are many that the majority will not have heard of, in spite of their prominence and use in the last decades.As the Russian military was historically more geared towards mechanized operations against NATO, there has also existed a higher need for light infantry forces more proficient in counter insurgency operations - as became apparent in Afghanistan - which has been often fulfilled by the paramilitary forces described in this book in the last decades.The book covers the agencies / paramilitary organizations, providing for each a brief history, role, structure / deployment, equipment / armament and for some a brief summary of some missions they have been involved in. The concluding sections cover the general proliferation of arms in post Soviet Russia, the elements of organized crime, as well as the most frequently used weapons (many being shared amongst the services).As is usual in the 'Elite' series, you will also get lots of photographs, and colour drawings, allowing a better recognition as well as providing some useful help for modellers.The book - in keeping with the standard format of the series - is short but definitely packed full of information and a very handy guide for all but professional military / intelligence personnel, who are likely to have access to much more comprehensive material on the subject. It works really well in conjunction with  USMC Publication on the SPETSNAZ, FMFRP 3-201, 1991 , which covers the Russian military special forces (albeit in a more Soviet time frame) and will allow the reader a much fuller appreciation of the current Russian environment. USMC Publication on the SPETSNAZ, FMFRP 3-201, 1991

Great detail on the number of military, police and "black" internal security organisations that now exist in the Russian Federation. Scary bunches of people but varying levels of expertise and experience. Usual excellent quality text, photographs and illustrations of uniforms and equipment from Osprey.

Excellent book

Detailed and informative.

Within the limits of the standard Osprey format, Galeotti has produced a valuable, concise, and clear overview of the plethora of competing Russian police and paramilitary units that keep Putin in power, which fought in Chechnya, and which have been reported as participating in Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.Going beyond a dry recitation of facts, this book gives an insight into the motivations and attitudes of these units as they evolved through the post-Soviet corrupt chaos to the corrupt "stable" autocracy of Putin's regime.Written several years before many of these forces were incorporated into the Rosgvardiya (Russian National Guard) this book is still a valuable introductory text, as reporting of Russian casualties in Ukraine indicates that the component units seem to have retained their original names and roles.Highly recommended