Introduction Born in Crisis – the 1990s: creating a new army in the wreckage of the USSR – First Chechen War – peacekeeping missions – the damaging 'grandfather' culture in the ranks. 'Reform Tomorrow' – the 2000s: slow beginnings of reform under Putin – Second Chechen War – uncertainty and inertia at the top – the Cossack revival. The Georgian Turning Point - 2008: profiting from errors and lessons – Defense Minister Serdyukov and Chief of General Staff Makarov force through reforms. The Russian Army Today: structures, organization, chain of command – major annual exercise cycles, and what they teach us. Two Armies: the reformed one-third, and the unreformed two-thirds. The human dimension: volunteer soldiers and conscripts – Ukraine – continuing problem of crime in the military. Intervention Forces: Air Assault and Naval troops – Spetsnaz – anti-piracy operations – Crimea – 'non-linear war' doctrine. Tools of the Trade: weapons, vehicles, specialist AFVs – latest 'Ratnik' uniforms and equipment – drones. Select Bibliography

A full and authoritative history of Russia’s army since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, including Air Assault and Navy ground forces. It will appeal to all students of modern security and defence matters as well as general readers interested in the Russian military.

The author, Mark Galeotti’s previous work Elite 197 Russian Security and Paramilitary Forces since 1991 (published Aug 2013) is the top selling ‘Elite’ series title of the last few years and Elite 206 Spetsnaz (pub June 2015) sold nearly 2,500 units in its first three months.