Military Model Scene

Title: Putin's Mercenaries 2013-24
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The Wagner Group and other Russian PMCs, number 265 in the Elite series from Osprey. A 64-page soft-cover book from author Mark Galeotti, with illustration by Johnny Schumate.
Private Military Companies (PMCs)in use by the Russian state have become better known through the actions of one particular group, the Wagner Group, under the control of Yevgeny Prigozhin. While the Wagner Group made their name well publicized in the West, as this book explains, they are by no means the only PMC engaged by the Russian state, as the book sets out. It begins with a look back at the historical use of mercenary units by the Russian state over many years, and then starts to look at their modern history, with the Wagner Group getting involved in the Donbas region of Ukraine. The book is spread over 8 sections, each broken down into sub-topics, as it covers other PMCs and together with the Wagner Group how they became involved even further afield, in Syria, Sudan, the Central African Republic, Libya, Mozambique, Mali, Burkina Faso and even as far as Venezuela. It then returns to Ukraine, and goes on to the revolt of the Wagner Group when they finally turned on their masters in Moscow. Their leader agreed a solution with Putin which was seemingly quite lenient on Yevgeny Prigozhin and his men before he was killed in a 'mysterious' plane crash. His men found new homes with the Russian Army and other PMCs.
The book includes plenty of colour photos to illustrate the stories, maps as well as 7 pages of fine colour artwork that illustrate the various uniforms and different camouflage patterns they have been observed in, as well as personal equipment and a number of logos/badges used by the group. Military figure modellers I am sure will find plenty to like in here. It is an interesting story to read, and there was clearly a lot more involved with these Russian backed PMCs over recent years, even beyond their involvement in Ukraine and the failed revolt and march against Moscow which gained so much attention.
Thanks to Osprey for the review copy.

Robin