The annexation of Crimea in 2014 marked a pivotal moment in modern warfare, demonstrating Russia's mastery of 'grey zone' tactics. This book analyzes how Russia, under Vladimir Putin, conquered Crimea through a sophisticated blend of anonymous special forces, cyber warfare, sabotage, and propaganda, achieving a largely bloodless victory. The author, a renowned expert on modern Russian forces, details the planning and execution of this 'hybrid' warfare, from staged protests to the deployment of unbadged elite troops. It further explores the critical lessons learned—both correctly and mistakenly—by Russia, Ukraine, and the West, and how this operation inadvertently laid the groundwork for the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

This book is regarded as an authoritative analysis by a supremely qualified expert on modern Russian forces. The narrative is praised for its fascinating account of the Crimea conquest, detailing the development and deployment of Russia's new model of 'hybrid' or 'grey zone' warfare. It is noted for its comprehensive exploration of how this seemingly textbook operation ultimately sowed the seeds for the larger conflict in 2022. The work is further enhanced by illustrations throughout, providing a rich visual context to the strategic maneuvers.