Shadows of the Bear cover art

Shadows of the Bear

Inside Russia’s Special Forces

 Preview

Audible Standard 30-day free trial

Try Standard free
Select 1 audiobook a month from our entire collection.
Listen to your selected audiobooks as long as you're a member.
Get unlimited access to bingeable podcasts.
Standard auto renews for £5.99 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Shadows of the Bear

By: Mick Trenlow-Symes
Narrated by: Eric Brown
Try Standard free

£5.99 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for £9.98

Buy Now for £9.98

About this listen

The ultimate untold story of Russia’s spetsnaz: the elite secret warriors who execute the Kremlin’s most dangerous missions, from Cold War battlegrounds to the streets of Ukraine.

Just before dawn in 1979, the world caught its first glimpse of a new kind of Soviet warrior when commandos stormed Kabul’s Tajbeg Palace. Decades later, the world watched unmarked "little green men" silently annex Crimea. These operations, separated by time and doctrine, share a common thread: they were executed by Russia’s special forces—the spetsnaz—the most feared, secretive, and ruthlessly effective instrument of Russian power.

This definitive book plunges into the shadows to trace the complete, chronological history of these elite units, charting their course from Cold War inception to modern hybrid warfare. This is not just a story of raids and battles; it is an examination of how intelligence, politics, and technology forged a criminal army that continuously adapts to the changing face of war.

Inside, you will find a complete, multi-layered portrait of Russia’s shadowy elite.

©2025 Deep Vision Media t/a Zentara UK (P)2025 Deep Vision Media t/a Zentara UK Armed Forces Military Russia Special & Elite Forces Inspiring Soviet Union Cold War
All stars
Most relevant

Listener received this title free

The book clearly breaks down how intelligence, technology, and military force blend together. Readers unfamiliar with hybrid warfare will gain a solid understanding of how spetsnaz units operate beyond traditional battlefields.

Shadows of the Bear Explains Modern Hybrid Warfare

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Listener received this title free

Students and analysts interested in modern warfare will find this book extremely useful. It explains how traditional military boundaries blur when intelligence agencies and special forces work together.

Essential Reading for Modern Military Studies

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Listener received this title free

"A Gritty, Detailed Deep Dive" "I’ve listened to plenty of military histories, but this one stands out for its sheer detail. The chapter on the storming of Tajbeg Palace in 1979 felt like a high-stakes thriller, but with the added weight of being historical fact. It’s a fascinating look at the training and mindset of these elite units."

Tactical and tense

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Listener received this title free

"Ten out of ten for detail. Whether it’s the selection process, the legendary missions, or the political fallout of their failures, Shadows of the Bear covers it all. It’s a comprehensive portrait of an elite force that continues to shape global headlines."

A gripping historical chronology

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Listener received this title free

Action-Packed History" Even though it’s a factual history, it’s written with the pace of a Tom Clancy novel. Hearing about the training, the discipline, and the specific missions kept me hooked during my entire commute. It’s a fascinating, if sometimes unsettling, listen.

Like a real-life spy novel

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews