Defending Rodinu: Europe@war

When the Second World War ended in 1945 the Soviets had numerous conventional anti-aircraft guns and piston engine fighters in service but with the rapid advances of aviation technology much of this was facing obsolescence. Worse, the war-ravaged country was facing new challenges as the end of the war did not bring a time of universal peace but instead a new rivalry with the West in a Cold War, which could at any time turn hot both figuratively and literally. Western competitors for world domination, primarily the United States, could boast a huge bomber fleet capable of delivering devastating nuclear strikes. Developing and fielding technologically and qualitatively new ground-based defences and fighter aircraft became a most urgent imperative and in a relatively short time remarkable progress was achieved in these fields. Guided surface-to-air missiles were developed and fielded, and jet powered fighters entered service, their performance ever improving from high-subsonic to supersonic speeds. Similar advances were made in the fields of air-to air armaments and detection and early warning technology.

While nuclear-armed Western bombers never appeared in the skies over the Soviet Union numerous foreign reconnaissance aircraft did. Thus, the Soviet air defence arsenal was tested many times in actual combat against actual and perceived violators of their airspace and other challengers, in which the Soviet air defences experienced both embarrassing defeats and exhilarating victories. Relegated to dusty files, the story of Soviet air defences in arguably the hottest period of direct US-Soviet Cold War confrontation.

Volume 1 of Defending Rodinu examines the development of the Soviet air defence forces from the immediate aftermath of the Second World War up until 1960. It looks at the development of dedicated interceptor aircraft, surface-to-air missiles and the radar network needed to support these, along with a detailed history of the attempts, successful and otherwise, to intercept and destroy Western aerial intruders.

"Dabrowski pulls from a wide variety of sources and material that has been declassified and released since the end of the Cold War in 1991. There are a variety of period illustrations, photographs, and maps along with modern color images of the related aircraft types." Air & Space Power History

"There is a lot in here I hadn't known about before, and I found it interesting reading. Beyond the famous event surrounding the U-2 of Gary Powers, there were a lot of other incidents which are less well known. It was also nice to see the changes among the early Russian jets, from the Mig-15, -17 and -19, as well as one I knew little about, the Yak-25 and the Lavochkin La-250 Anakonda. I've enjoyed the first volume so will be keen to see that we get in volume 2 when it come. Another good addition to the series." Military Model Scene, Robin Buckland

“....Helion have again put out an extremely interesting work well under the £20 mark and adding to their superb back catalog of titles. I'm seriously looking forward to Volume 2 of Defending Rodinu which I think comes out in the autumn but in the meantime I'd thoroughly recommend you check this book out.” Simon Jakubowski, The Aviation Enthusiast Book Club

"...provides a litany of Western incursions into Soviet airspace and the responses that ranged from bumbling to effective downing of aircraft by Soviet fighters and SAMs." The Historical Miniatures Gaming Society

"...This is a fabulous start to what will certainly be a must-have set on the development of Soviet defences throughout the Cold War. The second volume, due out soon, is keenly anticipated." Flight Line Book Review

"Helion and Company provides a detailed primer which presents the organization, equipping, and combat history of the early Cold War PVO. Accounts of soviet attempts – and successes – to intercept western aircraft are illuminating. The gallery of photographs and artwork with informative captions enhances the text." Aeroscale

"​Highly recommended." AMPS Indianapolis

"As well as the fascinating text, this book is illustrated with many photos and maps showing locations of incidents....This is a great book and is to be soon followed by a second volume picking up the story from 1960." Model Airplane International, Aug 2022

"...provides an excellent introduction to the establishment and growth of the Soviet air defense system. " IPMS/USA