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zare_i's review
4.0
Very interesting book on armies that clashed in the fields of Ukraine in last 4 years. As is always case with Osprey all details are in, text is clear, short and concise and accompanied with the great number of photos and drawings. All parties are presented - official armies of Ukraine and Russia and numerous militia and paramilitaries.
This is not an ultimate source but excellent entry point book for anyone interested in Ukrainian conflict.
Which brings me to the elements that I wont say I did not like, I appreciate them, but author has lot of negative bias towards Russians in general. All militias associated with the Russians are generally criminals, incompetent, robbers and pillagers. Their opposites, militias fighting on the side of Ukraine are good, competent, brave ("cyborgs") with some that have shown some tendency towards criminal activities but are good guys.
When it comes to civil wars picture is never black-and-white (just remember KLA that had almost fanatical support from the West in 1999 but was very very quickly abandoned by everyone after details of criminal activities surfaced) and I do not understand authors who fall into this trap - you are passionate that is good but keep your bias under control and present the facts - from both sides, with details, pictures but don't get into talk of angels-vs-devils.
Ukraine, as is case with unfortunately large part of Eastern Europe during "globalization" is area where corruption and criminal activities flourish whether we like it or not. And these are not due to some politicians from some country wants that - it is because criminal groups are running those politicians and unfortunately crime is international and above and beyond the politics.
And when disaster hits like it did in Ukraine's east to say all the devils are ran from the opposition is silly and naive.
In any case good book [with note on the above comments], and good starting point for anyone interested in this conflict.
This is not an ultimate source but excellent entry point book for anyone interested in Ukrainian conflict.
Which brings me to the elements that I wont say I did not like, I appreciate them, but author has lot of negative bias towards Russians in general. All militias associated with the Russians are generally criminals, incompetent, robbers and pillagers. Their opposites, militias fighting on the side of Ukraine are good, competent, brave ("cyborgs") with some that have shown some tendency towards criminal activities but are good guys.
When it comes to civil wars picture is never black-and-white (just remember KLA that had almost fanatical support from the West in 1999 but was very very quickly abandoned by everyone after details of criminal activities surfaced) and I do not understand authors who fall into this trap - you are passionate that is good but keep your bias under control and present the facts - from both sides, with details, pictures but don't get into talk of angels-vs-devils.
Ukraine, as is case with unfortunately large part of Eastern Europe during "globalization" is area where corruption and criminal activities flourish whether we like it or not. And these are not due to some politicians from some country wants that - it is because criminal groups are running those politicians and unfortunately crime is international and above and beyond the politics.
And when disaster hits like it did in Ukraine's east to say all the devils are ran from the opposition is silly and naive.
In any case good book [with note on the above comments], and good starting point for anyone interested in this conflict.
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