Soviet Military Innovation in the Cold War

Posted on 10th January 201826th April 2019 by Russell Phillips

During the Cold War, there was a tendency in the West to believe that the Soviet system, and in particular the Soviet army, could not innovate. It was sometimes assumed that innovation was the sole pr... Read More

Combat Engineering Equipment of the Warsaw Pact now available

Posted on 7th November 20173rd November 2017 by Russell Phillips

On this, the 100th anniversary of the October Revolution, I’m happy to announce that Combat Engineering Equipment of the Warsaw Pact, the second book in my Weapons and Equipment of the Warsaw Pa... Read More

Artist's impression of the NST (Next Soviet Tank)

Ghosts of the East: Soviet AFVs that never existed

Posted on 18th October 201713th January 2022 by Russell Phillips

During the Cold War, both sides did what they could to hide the capabilities of their military equipment. As Sun Tzu advised, “A military operation involves deception. Even though you are compet... Read More

RIP Stanislav Petrov

Posted on 19th September 201710th April 2018 by Russell Phillips

Yesterday, I found out that Lieutenant Colonel Stanislav Petrov has died. He was not well-known. In fact, he died in May, but the news only came out by chance, and even then, news outlets didn’t... Read More

Tanks and Combat Vehicles of the Warsaw Pact now available

Posted on 23rd August 201729th November 2017 by Russell Phillips

I’m happy to announce that the first book in my new Weapons and Equipment of the Warsaw Pact series has been released, and the second book is available for pre-order. Tanks and Combat Vehicles o... Read More

Reconnaissance Mission: Get free article previews, win books

Posted on 1st August 201722nd February 2022 by Russell Phillips

To mark the launch of my new series, I’ve set up a little competition. Throughout August, five pages on the website will have a silhouette of a Warsaw Pact vehicle: If you find a silhouette, cli... Read More

Pre-Order Tanks and Combat Vehicles of the Warsaw Pact

Posted on 26th May 201729th November 2017 by Russell Phillips

I’m happy to announce that the first book in my new Weapons and Equipment of the Warsaw Pact series is now available for pre-order. Tanks and Combat Vehicles of the Warsaw Pact will be released ... Read More

A BTR-80 swimming ashore from a tank landing ship

Bridging the Gap: Warsaw Pact River Crossing

Posted on 14th September 201610th April 2018 by Russell Phillips

During the Cold War, the Warsaw Pact armies studied the disposition of rivers in western Europe. It concluded that they would have to cross water obstacles up to 100m wide every 35 to 60km. Every 100-... Read More

AFV Alphabet: Z is for ZSU-57-2

Posted on 15th August 201610th April 2018 by Russell Phillips

The ZSU-57-2 entered service in 1955, providing the Warsaw Pact armies with a self-propelled anti-aircraft gun that could accompany the advancing armies. The hull is based on a lightened T-54 chassis.... Read More

Tank Fest 2015

Posted on 3rd July 20159th March 2016 by Russell Phillips

I spent last weekend at Bovington Tank Museum, attending Tank Fest 2015. For those who aren’t aware, Tank Fest is an annual event, where the museum brings out a selection of vehicles and has the... Read More