Brian M Downing and the world at war. Timely, thoughtful, and nonpartisan analysis of military matters. @BrianMDowning1.
Brian M Downing After Prigozhin’s putsch last June, the over-under on his days wasn’t high. Wagering ended yesterday with an air disaster northwest of Moscow, probably a large bomb. As noted here right after the putsch, Stalin eventually got to Trotsky and Prigozhin wouldn’t last as long. But there are Read More …
Brian M Downing Unsuccessful military revolts in Russia usually bring fierce retribution. Peter the Great tortured and killed hundreds of Streltsy after their 1698 uprising. Nicholas I did the same to the Decembrists after the Napoleonic wars. Stalin insisted Russian turncoats be repatriated and they were executed upon disembarkation from Read More …
Brian M Downing The view here has long been that the Wagner Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin’s private mercenary army, would cause trouble for Russia. The mercenary leader has been vocal in criticizing the regular army for its lack of aggressiveness and inadequate logistical support to his troops. After Russian strikes came Read More …
Brian M Downing The view here has long been that the Wagner Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin’s private mercenary army, would cause trouble for Russia. Private armies and elite forces create tensions with the regular army, as with the Waffen SS and Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. They may become too independent of the Read More …