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Inside Spetsnaz: Soviet Special Operations : A Critical Analysis
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
June 26, 2016
This book is fascinating and I really enjoyed it, but it is not an easy read for those unfamiliar with military acronyms. It's a exemplary document, written right at the end of the Soviet Empire's life. As such it show both the information contained, and then between the lines, is the mind-set of NATO and "Neutral" Cold warriors. The big takeaways for me were that a) that "Spetnaz" began in the Russian Civil Wars/Polish Wars and then developed through the Spanish Civil War to the WWII activity we are familiar with, and b) the diffusion of Spetnaz units with different jobs throughout the Soviet military and para-military systems (Army, Navy, KGB, GRU, )... but that sometimes the same trained personnel keep appearing for certain tasks. Having read a bit of this sort of literature throughout the period and into the present, the third takeaway is the semi- paranoia of the period. Almost every Soviet decision is ascribed to doctrinal and political reasons, when we now know that economic issues and Soviet self awareness of their resource-poor situation were the guiding parameters. The most geeky military history heads will dig this book- the more casual gamer/modeller may be bored...
January 5, 2020
Interesting book in that it attempts to stick to the known facts of the time, minimizing speculation, but still offering the appropriate cautions and caveats to those with an interest in knowing their potential adversary.
Unfortunately, it becomes quickly evident that the group the writers attempt to define are less of a discrete entity than a set of roles embedded within and across Soviet forces, and typically not referred to as that by those forces.
The book, then, is less a look inside "Spetsnaz" than a study of special operations and forces within the Soviet context.
Well-written and quick read that demonstrates how different the Soviet Union and NATO structures its SOF.
Unfortunately, it becomes quickly evident that the group the writers attempt to define are less of a discrete entity than a set of roles embedded within and across Soviet forces, and typically not referred to as that by those forces.
The book, then, is less a look inside "Spetsnaz" than a study of special operations and forces within the Soviet context.
Well-written and quick read that demonstrates how different the Soviet Union and NATO structures its SOF.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews