War in Ukraine - Volume 1, Europe@War No 21, Helion

WAR IN UKRAINE -  VOLUME 1: Armed Formations of the Donetsk People's Republic, 2014 - 2022

Volume 1 of War in Ukraine focuses on the armed formations of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), the largest of the two separatist entities in the east of Ukraine. Armed formations of the Donetsk People’s Republic aims to provide an overview of their formation in 2014, their status up to the end of February 2022, and combat equipment, while also exploring issues around identity and symbology.

Loosely confederated with the armed formations of the neighbouring Luhansk People’s Republic into the so-called ‘United Armed Forces of Novorossiya’, in reality the armed formations of the Donetsk People’s Republic have retained a degree of autonomy over their units and planning. Often dismissed in existing literature as mere proxy extensions of Russian forces, since their formation in the fighting in eastern Ukraine during 2014 the armed formations of the Donetsk People’s Republic have developed into an integrated fighting force with more main battle tanks than several major Western military powers combined. The title also details some of the key military commanders who have shaped the armed formations of the Donetsk People’s Republic since 2014.

One area of focus of the title explores the unusual and little-known ‘home grown’ military technological developments made by the Donetsk People’s Republic, including multiple launch rocket systems, armoured vehicles, sniper rifles, small arms and remote weapons stations.

The emerging visual propaganda culture around the armed formations of the Donetsk People’s Republic is also explored, with military glory and fallen personnel commemorated in large scale military parades, murals, monuments and even postage stamps.

War in Ukraine Volume 1: Armed formations of the Donetsk People’s Republic also presents a wealth of unique visual material including unit patches, a selection of unique photographs, diagrams and maps, and will be of interest to anyone studying the conflict in Ukraine. 

"This is a very useful work of reference for modellers and historiansm as well as those with an interest in current affairs, it it throws light into an area that not much is known of''.

(IPMS, Issue 5 2022)

"A great reference for those looking to model DPR armor and weaponry-- there are tons of photos of unit patches and insignias, and the color profiles feature DPR technicals, trucks, MBTs, APCs, and other AFVs."

(AMPS)

"....I learnt a lot from this book which I hadn't known before. As ever, there are so many different factors at play here, in the years prior to the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. What happened in the previous years, from 2014 through to 2022 made for interesting reading. As I read it there is a well balanced account of the historical story without appearing to take one side or the other. Sadly events have moved on in Ukraine which has changed pretty much everything but this background I found fascinating. Looking at it through a modeller's eyes, there are plenty of useful references, not just in the photos and artwork, but some explained and given context in the text as well."

(Robin Buckland, Military Model Scene)

"In addition to a look at the various units, the book includes things such as unit badges, propaganda posters, flags, and other military trappings. A fairly good look at the leadership is also included. The book has the usual full color profiles as well as some excellent maps and all the photos are in full color, as befits a volume on such a recent series of events. It is a superb look at the DPR prior to the overall Russian invasion and how much it is really just a puppet of the Kremlin. It is a book I know you will enjoy reading.."

(ModelingMadness.com)

"....The profiles are very good and for modelers of equipment from that conflict.  I feel that the book will be interesting to any historian interested in this conflict."

(IPMS/USA

Tags: UKRAINE