Military Model Scene

Title: Battle for Grozny, Vol 1
Author: Efim Sandler
Publisher: Helion & Co
ISBN: 978-1-804512-14-2

The first volume on the topic, 'Prelude and the Way to the City, 1994', from Helion & Co, number 31 in their Europe @ War series. A 78-page soft-cover book.
The book begins with the background history of the region of Chechnya, once part of the wider Soviet Empire, it declared independence as the Republic of Ichkeria in 1996, after a period of separatist conflict. The opening sections take us back through the history of this area of the North Caucasus, on the northern border of Georgia with Russia. Conflict in the region was going on back in the 19th century, and after the German forces pulled out of the Caucasus in 1941, so the desire for independence from Russia came to the fore once more. This is described, along with the forced relocation of thousands of Chechans by Stalin which is also covered. Then there is how Chechnya managed to gradually arm themselves, with small arms, heavy weapons, armour and aviation assets. Then come the first 2 assaults on Grozny, in October/November 1994, leading to greater involvement of Soviet units, but again these ended in failures. the events of which are described. Following these initial failures the book sets out how the Russian leadership, under President Yeltsin, planned a much larger military assault, using the excuse of a 'request' for support from groups in Chechnya. In December 1994 the Russians started their war and advanced into the region. It details the Russian plan to assault Grozny and the Chechen preparations to receive them. With the initial stages underway, this volume comes to a close.
As we now expect from this series, there are a lot of archive photos illustrating the story, along with maps and a 14-page section of excellent artwork, illustrating both aircraft and ground equipment. Plenty in here to interest the modeller, and I am sure I am not the only one to learn much more about what went on in Chechnya during this time, having memories of stories on the news, but knowing very little else about the details of the conflict. I am looking forward to finding out more in volume 2. With the Russian military involvement in these countries that were once part of the larger empire of the USSR, and more recently in Ukraine of course, I can't help but wonder that their leaders don't seem to understand the depth of desire in these regions to be in charge of their own destiny. We can but hope, though sadly I suspect little will change. All the same, an interesting book I felt.
Thanks to Helion & Co for the review copy.

Robin