Mark Galeotti's new study of both the combat vehicles of Russia's
legendary Spetsnaz special forces and the whole range of unique and
modified vehicles that Russia's elite units use, from combat snowmobiles
to the world's biggest water-cannon.
Elite forces need elite vehicles. As Vladimir Putin has devoted effort
and funds into modernizing Russia's armed forces and turning them into
an instrument geared not just for defending the Motherland but also
projecting power beyond its borders, Russia has seen a growing emphasis
on special and specialist forces. Traditionally, the elite Spetsnaz
commandos had to make do with regular vehicles or civilian-based
"technicals, not least to conceal their presence (or, indeed, very
existence). Now, increasingly at the forefront of Russian power
projection, the Spetsnaz are acquiring more capable, versatile vehicles,
such as the paratroopers' BTR-D personnel carrier, and also
experimenting with exotic, specialist new acquisitions, such as the
Chaborz M-3 buggy and Yamaha Grizzly all-terrain vehicle.
The other elite branches of Russia's forces, such as the Arctic-warfare
troops of the 200th Independent Motor Rifle Brigade, the paratroopers of
the Air Assault Troops (VDV), the Naval Infantry, and the elite units of
the security forces are also developing and fielding new vehicles for
their specialist roles, from combat snowmobiles to urban-warfare
vehicles. From highly-mobile LMVs able to operate in the deserts of
Syria or the streets of Ukraine, through dedicated fire-support vehicles
such as the air-droppable Sprut-SD or the massive BMPT "Terminator," to
amphibious tanks and drone-equipped security trucks, these are the
workhorses of Russia's special forces. This study explores all these
combat vehicles in detail, combining expert analysis from Russia expert
Mark Galeotti with highly accurate full-color illustrations and
photographs.
