The Russians are here

To be honest: we wouldn’t have bought a book with the subtitle “The Truth About ….” That sounds too childish. Thankfully, the book still caught our eye, and after glancing at the table of contents and the first few pages, it was clear: we had to read this. Despite the title and blurb.

Matthias Uhl knows his stuff. And he knows how to write concisely. The topic is timely, because Russia is waging war right next door. And this version of World War II—minus drones—has caught the weary West off guard in its cozy slumber. We were just about to celebrate the end of history and relegate the military to the sidelines. No need for that—peace. Right now, fear of Russia is running rampant—a fear that still stems partly from our grandparents’ generation, but is above all a fear of our own weakness, a fear that runs deep. Add to that the Eastern Europeans, who, having lived through the Cold War era, know all too well—without any illusions—what to make of “the Russians”...

But how strong is Russia really? The question is posed in a very simplistic way, but Uhl delivers—and in a way that differs from what the cover suggests. The book isn’t a sensational exposé designed to prompt self-reflection among German citizens, but rather reads more like a collection of essays bound into a single volume. And the beauty of it is that each of these texts is compelling and extremely insightful. Uhl begins from a completely different angle: how do Russia and Ukraine interact in their imperial and national histories—an important aspect for understanding the nature of the current war, which has its roots not only in 1989 and the years that followed. Uhl also provides a very concise description of the phases of the war to date since 2022, along with an analysis of war casualties and a pragmatic look into the inner workings of the Russian army—how it experiences the war and how it treats its soldiers, the fallen, and the wounded. This sends a slight shiver down the spine of the citizen in uniform…

And then there are historical accounts that provide insights into Russian and Soviet military buildup. Uhl describes the function of the military-industrial complex, which was inflated to such an extent that it effectively transformed class society into a proletarian Sparta. He explains the massive Soviet apparatus, the crisis following the collapse of communism, how Putin brought the whole system back into line, and how the Russian military, too, has tried to rediscover its functional role amid the new order. This involves its operational capabilities, but also fascinating aspects such as espionage in the West to catch up technologically.

Uhl’s book provides valuable insights that help you better understand the conflict and where Russia can and will go. An absolute SPARTANAT reading recommendation. You should treat yourself to this insightful book.

P.S.: The author has also written a history of the Russian military intelligence service, the GRU. Following the success of this book here, we’re picking up the “red brick” and will be savoring it during the quiet Christmas season.

“How Strong Is Russia Really? The Truth About Putin’s Military Power” by Matthias Uhl, Herder Verlag, Freiburg/Br. 2026, 368 pages, 22 euros – HERE on Amazon or at well-stocked bookstores.