The Great Bear at War

The complete and illustrated history of Russia's armed forces from the Russian Revolution until the present day, covering both their involvement in pivotal historical events and in current controversial conflicts. From the chaos of the civil war to the political maneuvering of the Cold War, Russia's armed forces have shaped the future not only of Russia but of countless other countries around the globe. The Great Bear at War: The Russian and Soviet Army, 1917-Present explores the development and struggles of Soviet and Russian armed forces across the numerous conflicts which mark its history. It charts the great historical events that have defined the Red/Russian Army, especially World War II and the Cold War, but also the post-communist insurgencies and wars in which the Russian military has redeveloped its outlook and mission. The post-Soviet development of the Russian military into a modern force is explored in detail, including its controversial campaigns in Chechnya (1999-2009) and Georgia (2008). Sewn into the narrative are details about the equipment, uniforms, training, service conditions, and weaponry of the Soviet/Russian soldiers, bringing personal experience and technological context to the broader history. At a time when the world is closely focused upon Russian military behavior, The Great Bear at War is both timely and fascinating.

Dr Chris McNab is an author and historian who specializes in military history and related technology. Over the course of his twenty-year career, he has written more than one hundred titles, almost all with international distribution. Chris has also written extensively for major encyclopedia series, magazines and newspapers, and he lives in South Wales. Professor Mark Galeotti is a Senior Associate Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute in the UK and a Senior Non-Resident Fellow with the Institute of International Relations Prague. Formerly Senior Lecturer in International History at Keele University and Professor of Global Affairs at New York University, he has also been a Senior Research Fellow with the Foreign Office and a visiting professor at MGIMO, the Russian foreign ministry's university. Mark's most recent books for Osprey are CAM 332 Kulikovo 1380 and ELI 228 Armies of Russia's War in Ukraine. He lives in the UK.

Introduction Chapter 1 The Emergence of the Red Army, 1917-39 Chapter 2 Defining Moment 1939-45 Chapter 3 Cold War Army Chapter 4 Descent into Defeat: Afghanistan 1979-89 Chapter 5 New World Order and the Chechnya Disaster 1989-1996 Chapter 6 Resurgence, 1996-Present Bibliography and further reading Index