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Special Artisan Service Miniatures recently announced their intention to release a line of miniatures to add to their modern collection dedicated to the current conflict in Ukraine. The original intention was to use a Kickstarter to gain interest, however interest seems to be high enough that they've already met their goal before having to launch it.

The models are made by the same sculptor who previously worked for a few companies, such as Brother Vinni, Lead Adventure Miniatures and more recently Tiny Terrain's Chechen War's Kickstarter (who have recently announced their own intention to start a second Kickstarter). They're more contemporary than much of his previous work, representing Ukrainian State Forces, and the Russian back Separatists. These being in addition to SASM's existing modern range, which covers all sorts, from Russian Spetsnaz to French Foreign Legion, and in future Boko Haram militants. Along with an expanding set of vehicle, which are currently going through a revision.

The owner's looking for anyone wanting to purchase the models to get in touch with him, either through the Website or Facebook, as a form of pre-ordering the line. $60, plus shipping ($15 to the UK) for 20 models. Which isn't too bad. Based on prior Pre-Order like systems the seller's run it shouldn't be too long until production and shipping commences, but the money's both to gauge interest in the range and fund the initial costs of manufacturing. Hopefully if enough people chip in we'll see it expanding in time (Russian units, like drone mini-tanks had already been shown a while ago).

Being someone who's been making models set around that part of the world for years, and having backed the Tiny Terrain Chechen Wars Kickstarter, these'll work great for bulking out my collection. Though they'd equally work as Fighters from any of the world's "Small Wars", Private Military Contractors, or Post-Apocalyptic Scavengers (being Ukrainians, they're very S.T.A.L.K.E.R. looking). The models would be interchangeable for either side of the conflict, where even the Ukrainian Army units can be a bit rag tag at times (though they've largely re-organised themselves since the start of the conflict, but the militias still exist). A tell tale that one of the models is a Ukrainian Serviceman however is the inclusion of what looks to be a locally produced M4/ AK hybrid on some of the figures (though all sorts of guns have shown up in that conflict, from Steyr AUGs to WWII era MG-42s or PTRDs, and WWI M1910 Maxim Guns).

To be honest the riots would make a much more interesting set of miniatures. You had people in armor with molotovs, orthodox priests in full get up, and all kinds of stuff.

Tiny Terrain's Chechen Wars Kickstarter may be the way to go if you want to cover that phase in the conflict. With more folks wearing civilian clothing and less military armaments (they recently showed off Cossacks in traditional dress). Given the amount of civilian clothing though, it'd be difficult to offer something unique to the setting, rather than just being generic civilian rioters. Though I don't think that anyone's really making OMON models, let alone the former Ukrainian OMON. If you want to cover police and counter terrorism operations in Russia (and similarly equipped countries), Special Artizan Service Miniatures and Spectre Minitures both for Russian Spetsnaz force (SASM's are for Syria, whilst Spectre's are kitted out as FSB. Which oddly enough, SASM happen to do a Zil Punisher/ Falcatus - as seen in ARMA III as the Ifrit - , which the FSB use on counter terrorism operations as transport).

This particular one covers the period between the initial invasion and may a few years ago, where most of the Ukrainian forces have now sorted themselves out - barring the militia units. Though the models could easily do for a conflict in any post-Soviet state (or hell even elsewhere given that most of the Ukrainian forces are wearing surplus NATO equipment by this point, and AKs show up everywhere...).

Coincidentally I've a model of an OMON member throwing a Molotov cocktail awaiting painting right now. Though covering that period over the current one may be less politically correct considering crap like that happened.

Also announced.





And if you're not aware of the company, this is one of their new releases. A certain "Narco"