Book Review: Death Is Our Business, by John Lechner; Putins Sledgehammer, by Candace Rondeaux

Published: Tuesday, May 13, 2025 at 9:00 am

Book Reviews Explore Russia's Use of Mercenaries in Ukraine War

Two new books delve into the shadowy world of Russian mercenaries and their role in the ongoing war in Ukraine. John Lechner's "Death Is Our Business: Russian Mercenaries and the New Era of Private Warfare" and Candace Rondeaux's "Putin's Sledgehammer: The Wagner Group and Russia's Collapse Into Mercenary Chaos" both examine the rise and impact of private military companies, particularly the infamous Wagner Group, on the conflict.

The books highlight how Russia, initially expecting a swift victory in Ukraine, found itself needing reinforcements. This led to a greater reliance on mercenaries, a strategy already employed in other conflicts like those in Sudan and Syria. These private armies, often used to achieve foreign policy objectives and secure resources, allowed Russia to operate with a degree of deniability.

A key focus is Yevgeny Prigozhin, the former convict turned restaurateur who built the Wagner Group. Prigozhin, known for his close ties to the Kremlin, recruited soldiers from various sources, including Russian prisons. This strategy, the books suggest, was intended to minimize domestic backlash by using expendable forces on the front lines.

Lechner's book, in particular, examines how the war in Ukraine brought the Wagner Group into the global spotlight. The group, deploying an estimated 50,000 men, quickly became a significant force in the conflict, with their presence felt across the battlefield. The books paint a picture of a complex and evolving landscape where private military companies are playing an increasingly important role in modern warfare.

BNN's Perspective: The use of private military companies raises serious ethical and legal questions. While they can offer a degree of flexibility and deniability, the lack of accountability and potential for human rights abuses are concerning. The situation in Ukraine underscores the need for greater international scrutiny and regulation of these entities.

Keywords: Russian mercenaries, Wagner Group, Ukraine war, Yevgeny Prigozhin, private military companies, Putin, war in Ukraine, Death Is Our Business, Putin's Sledgehammer, mercenary chaos, Russian military, conflict, foreign policy, Syria, Sudan, Kremlin.

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