Putin's Wars: From Chechnya to Ukraine

Putin's Wars: From Chechnya to Ukraine examines Russia's military conflicts during Vladimir Putin's leadership, from the Second Chechen War through the invasion of Ukraine. The book analyzes the evolution of Russian military strategy, doctrine, and capabilities across multiple campaigns. Drawing on intelligence sources and expert analysis, Galeotti traces how Putin's approach to warfare has transformed over his years in power. The text covers the operational details of key conflicts while also exploring the political, economic, and social factors that shaped Russian military decisions. Military reforms, technological developments, and changes in Russian strategic thinking receive particular focus throughout the work. The book includes assessments of Russian operations in Syria, Georgia, and Crimea, examining successes and failures in each engagement. The work reveals how Putin's military campaigns reflect broader patterns in Russian power projection and state authority, offering insights into the intersection of military force and political control in contemporary Russia. Through this military lens, fundamental questions about Russian identity and its place in the international order emerge.

Readers value the book's clear chronology of Putin's military actions and appreciate Galeotti's analysis of Russian military reforms between conflicts. Many note the book helps explain Russia's strategic failures in Ukraine by examining past campaigns. Positive reviews highlight: - Deep research into military operations and strategy - Balanced examination of Russian military strengths/weaknesses - Clear connections between different conflicts - Accessible writing style for non-experts Common criticisms: - Too brief coverage of some conflicts - Limited discussion of political/economic factors - Could use more maps and visual aids - Some readers wanted more details on Ukraine invasion Ratings: Goodreads: 4.28/5 (235 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (126 ratings) Sample reader comment: "Galeotti explains complex military matters in an understandable way while avoiding oversimplification. The book's greatest strength is showing how past conflicts shaped current Russian military thinking." - Amazon reviewer

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🔸 Mark Galeotti spent over three decades studying Russian security affairs and even lived in Moscow while teaching at the Higher School of Economics from 2008-2019. 🔸 The book covers not only physical conflicts but also Russia's "hybrid warfare" techniques, including cyber attacks, disinformation campaigns, and political interference in other countries. 🔸 Putin's first major military operation as Russian leader was the Second Chechen War, which began just months after he became Acting President in 1999. 🔸 Despite being published in 2022, the book managed to include analysis of the initial phases of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, as Galeotti updated the manuscript during the publishing process. 🔸 The book details how Putin transformed Russia's military from the demoralized, underfunded force he inherited in 2000 into what he believed was a modern, professional fighting force—a perception that would be seriously challenged in Ukraine.