Russian Command Figures

Having completed massed infantry and the first of my cavalry figures, I felt like painting something different: Command and Staff for my Russian army, led by Baron Osten-Sacken.

Count Dmitry Yerofeyevich Osten-Sacken (1789–1881) was a highly decorated Russian General of Baltic Prussian and Russian descent. He began his army career in 1809 with the Elisavetgrad Hussar Regiment and went on to have a distinguished military career that spanned 50 years and 15 campaigns. He is most celebrated for commanding the defence of Odessa and Sevastopol during the Crimean War.

Based on a contemporary picture, in the uniform of a cavalry General-Adjutant
source: Osprey 241 Russian Army of the Crimean War

The Baron himself is a very detailed sculpt, particularly with his collections of medals and awards, and I spent quite a bit of time picking them out to get the right gravitas.

The mounted staff officers are from a different blister, but match well

"Thats odd. I wonder what that British Light Brigade is up to..."

I kept the individual staff officers and aide-de-camp in the bright Uhlan uniform (he was fun to do!) on seperate bases to maintain flexibility on the table (like using them as ADC markers for the General d'Armee rules). I did their uniforms differently to reflect different regimental backgrounds and show the diversity of the Russian uniforms when not lathered in greatcoats!

Once again these are metal figures by Great War Miniatures from the following packs:

• CR14 - Baron Osten Sacken and Staff
• CR11 - Mounted Russian Officers in Helmets

Modeling notes:  I previously kept the greens on the infantry a few shades lighter to get the right effect, but deliberately didn't with these officers. Not only did I want them to stand out, but contemporary notes detail how fashion shifted Officers' green uniforms to an almost black-green by this time. The Coatee colour is GW Caliban Green over a dark grey undercoat.

Russian Ingermanland Hussars

At the opening of the Crimean War, the Russian Cavalry force was the largest in Europe, though reduced in effectiveness due to outdated doctrine and overly focused on parade ground drill. It was broadly split into Heavy (Cuirassiers and Dragoons), Light (Hussars and Uhlan/Lancers) and Irregular (Cossack) units, all of which featured in the Crimea. Naturally I need some, so..

This is my first Russian Cavalry unit: The Ingermanland Hussars!

The Ingermanlanders were raised as a Dragoon Regiment in 1704 by order of Tsar Peter the Great and saw extensive service in the following years, including the Napoleonic War. In 1841 they were redesignated and reorganised as Hussars, and at the start of the Crimean War period had a strength between 900 and 1000 men organised into 8 squadrons.

The Ingermanland Regiment participated in the major battles of the Crimean War, including Alma (where they were part of the Cavalry Reserve under Prince Alexander Sergeyevich Menshikov), Balaclava, and the Siege of Sevastopol. 

Notably, at Balaclava they were part of Generalleutnant Ryzhov's Cavalry Division, along with the Kiev Hussar Regiment and the lst Ural Cossack Regiment. Together they famously charged the indomitable "Thin Red Line" of Cambell's 93rd Highlanders (whose ranks, I recently discovered, included one of my wife's ancestors!)

From Osprey Campaign 6: Balaclava 1854

These are metal figs by Great War Miniatures, sold by Northstar. The "Unlucky General" has already posted a detailed review so I won't repeat it other than to say these are great figures:

https://balaclavabuild.blogspot.com/2023/03/figure-review-great-war-miniatures.html

Followers of my blog will know that I am not a fan of painting cavalry and usually do the bare minimum. These were an exception and quite fun, if slow, to do - maybe I just needed a break from the hundred odd Russian infantry I just did! But seriously, these are lovely figs and the sculpts are wonderfully detailed.

Overall, my only disappointment at the end was that a lot of work went in to get just paltry 3 bases!  Thus, I will be doubling the size of the unit to 12 figs (6 bases) so it has the right "volumetric look". Also because Dave D told me to buy more figures, so I can blame him...

EDIT Since posting this I've been sent this pic from a period Russian book.  Kievskiy Hussars on the left (called at the time "Hussar Regiment of His Imperial Highness Grand Duke Nikolai Maximilianovich")  and the Ingermanlandskyi Hussars (called at the time "Hussar Regiment of His Highness the Großherzog of Sachsen‑Weimar"), circa 1850, just before the Crimean War. 

Note the colour of the horses - the Ingermanland regiment had black horses (dark-brown were allowed too), while the Kievskyi regiment had ginger horses. Each cavalry regiment had it's own colour of the horses, they couldn't mix different colour horses (apart from grey horses for musicians, also grey horses were allowed for the regimental adjutants). 

The "Nr 18 and 19" are NOT the Regimental numbers- the are plate references

So I fluked the right horse colours! But should tweak the blanket trim colour from white to yellow - I'll do that when I do the next 6 so I them as a batch.

Modelling notes:

Yes, of course I had basing anxiety trying to decide between 2 or 3 figures per base. These are on 50mm x 50mm but I'd prefer something a bit deeper to allow more placement options. 50x60 maybe

Russian uniform notes are rather hard to find, so I have had to guess at a few things like colours for the bugle cord and knotwork. If anyone had more accurate information please do let me know (as one of my favourite Admirals told me one "There is no advantage in me being wrong any longer than I need to be!")

Colours are as per my earlier notes for Russian infantry.

Blues were: Alaitoc Blue basecoat, Drakenhof Nightshade (probably too dark but its what I had), basecoat again in Alaitoc, highlights in Hoeth Blue. Top highlights where required (shoulderboards and collars) in Ice Blue.

Massed Russian Infantry

Granted 'massed' in a relative term, but the positive comments on the Jaegers post prompted me to take pics of the combined Russian Infantry I have painted this year: 

3 Battalions (2 Line,1 Jaeger) plus 2 units of skirmishers to screen them, and a couple of Command figures

Each battalion is 32 figs for a total of 110 figures all together. 

Advance! Skirmishers to the flanks!

Mix of Great War Miniatures and Warlord. Group bases are 80x40mm

And extended out in Line formation...

Thanks for looking!

Russian Jaegers take the field!

Earlier this during (during AHPC) I completed the first two battalions for my Crimean War Russian army:

https://tasmancave.blogspot.com/2026/03/crimean-war-russian-line-infantry.html

Since then I've been working on a unit of Jaegers to join them: four bases of 8 figs, plus 6 individual skirmishers. Hobby time has been erratic due to a lot of work travel, so it feels good to complete them.

Skirmishers out!

Russian Infantry Regiments of the period comprised four battalions: 2 Line Infantry and 2 Jaegers (with all Battalions having four companies). The Jaegers were akin to British Light Infantry, similarly armed to the line infantry but trained in more mobile tactics.  Where the Line Infantry had white webbing, the Jaegers had black and invariably favoured the field caps over helmets. Overall, it gives them a very different look I think.

These are all Great War Miniatures metal figures, so the unit has good heft! They are nice figures but, unlike the plastic Warlord figures I used previously, there is little variation amongst the faces. Like my other units, I have based them in erratic lines to show a reduced level of training/discipline, and sprinkled a few casualty figures amongst them. 

Modelling note: The green that the Russian Jaegers used at the time was much darker, but in testing it looked just black at usual gaming distances, so I scaled it back a few shades to give a better look on the table.

This brings my Russian force to 3 Battalions (12 bases of 8 figs) of infantry plus 2 units of skirmishers. I'll turn now to some other units for focus.

Dress by the Centre! Skirmishers to the Flanks!

Thanks for looking!

AHPC 16: Crimean War Russian Line Infantry

Presenting my first two Russian battalions for my 28mm Crimean War project. While the Russian Army of the time was renowned for having largest cavalry contingent on the continent, Infantry still made up the bulk of the Army. These are typical Line Infantry battalions of a Regiment, each of which fielded 4.

Two Battalions with Regimental officers advancing in Attack columns 

I used different shades across the greatcoats to show varying wear and quality in pre dye-fast colours, and gave the units some identity with one unit sporting a mix of helmets and forage caps (mutzes) which became more common as the war progressed, and another with more strict NCOs ensuring all the troops wear their issued helmets! 

1st Battalion (white shoulder tabs) - all in helmets

I enjoyed a good dose of the inevitable "basing dilemma", badly overthinking it before deciding to go with groups of poorly drilled troops with intermingled casualties, representing both bad training and a stoic intent to get to grips with the invaders regardless of cost! Groups of 8 figs make a line unit in Sharp Practice and I figured that four units per Battalion would give some good 'visual heft' as the attack columns advance.

2nd Battalion (red shoulder tabs) with mixed helmets and forage caps

Figures are mostly plastic Warlord figs with some metal models by Great War Miniatures mixed in. The former are relatively monopose, but the seperate heads let you impart some great character with modest turns. The latter are wonderful sculpts and mixing them in gives a more dynamic look. Colours by Battle-Flag.com

Normally I hate doing faces but these were very satisfying to do

This project was to be a full Regiment of 4 Battalions plus an artillery and a troop of Cossack cavalry but when real life got in the way I opted to not sacrifice quality just to 'get it done'. I really enjoyed building them and the rest will follow post Challenge.

The army grows!

These units and their Regimental Officers tally 67 foot and 1 mounted figure - my biggest submission of this Challenge to take me across my 500 point target line. Just in time!

Submitted to the Challenge here:

https://thepaintingchallenge.blogspot.com/2026/03/from-paulog-russians-of-crimean-war-345.html

Painting Notes

Zandri Dust spray undercoat

Greatcoats - Lavado Sepia Shade (Game Wash), Zandri dust drybrush

Trousers - Dead White (Game Color), Apothecary White contrast (GW)

Boots - thinned Corvus Black (GW)

Straps - Ulthuan Grey (GW), then white highlights

Muskets - Oak Brown (Warpaints Fanatic)

Skin - Pale Flesh (Game Color 72003), Reikland Flesh Shade (GW)

Collars - Mephiston red (GW)

Swords - black base coat, Warpaints Leather Brown, Gold hilt

Shoulder Boards

     Light Blue = GW Ice Blue

     Red = GW Mephiston Red

     White = Dead White (Game Color)

Backpacks - oak brown (army painter)

Bedrolls - Celestra grey GW

Staff Officer in green frockcoat

Basecoat - 50/50 Yellow Olive (mode

Colour 892) / Guarsian Green (Warpaints)

Wash - game colour green ink (72.089)

Highlight - waaagh flesh GW

Basing

Group infantry bases: 80x40mm

Individual figs on flat 25mm rounds (Renedra)

Battlefield Accessories Ground compound mix

Wash with 50/50 thinned GW Agrax

Drybrush highlight - GW Zandri dust

AHPC 16: Crimean War Russian Skirmishers

Defending the Motherland from foreign invaders is quite a (historical) Russian tradition, and so I start my Russian Crimean War army, ready to Resist the those interfering British, French and other tag-along stooges who have landed on Russian soil!

Za Rodinu! Za Tsarya! (For the Motherland! For the Tsar!)

I had intended this to be a more fulsome "first battalion" reveal but unfortunately, impacts of world events said no. But a start is a start, so here is a stout Russian Officer leading a few feisty skirmishers to defend the Rodina - and after months of planning and painting I'm pleased to get the first batch posted!

Regrettably, I didn't get a chance to setup a nice photo shoot for them. Apologies!

The 6 musketeers are metal figs by Great War Miniatures, and the Officer is a Warlord metal sculpt- together they form a light infantry unit in Sharp Practice plus a basic level leader. 

Their brave but poorly trained friends will make an appearance soon!

Submitted to the AHPC16 "Resistance" Bonus Round here:

https://analogue-hobbies-theme-rounds.blogspot.com/2026/03/resistance-by-paul-og-russian-crimean.html

AHPC 16: Black Templar Crusade Ancient

Joining my Black Templar army and toting a Black Templar war banner is this Crusading Ancient. He inspires his brethren to fight for their Emperor and shows the way, smiting foes with his super hot blade of smiting! 

Ineptus the Vexillifer!

A new model released last year specifically for my army, so of course I had to get one (what a sucker!). He was fun to do, though I did suffer a bout of 'analysis paralysis' on shield - with more than one chat with Reilly needed to get to there in the end!

Kept to the 4 colour "Zorn palette" to match the erst of my army

I also enjoyed hand writing all the prayer/inscriptions on both sides of the banner for extra 'drip'. I snuck a couple of decals in there to keep it interesting

Submitted to the "Empire" Bonus Round of AHPC 16 here:

https://analogue-hobbies-theme-rounds.blogspot.com/2026/01/empire-from-paulog-crusading-ancient-57.html

A little bit of OSL goes a long was and was fun to do!

The sum of my Black Templars modelling for the last 6 months now looks thus:

2 Crusading Squads, an Execrator, a Crusade Ancient and an Apothecary!

More Templars to join them!

AHPC 16: Black Templar Apothecary

I've loved this model since it came out, yet somehow never painted one despite the wonderfully evocative posing. 

Brother Euthenasius of the Black Templars

Having just extracted the progenoid from the deceased battle-brother at his feet, he contemplates in remembrance of his fallen comrade before it joins others dangling around his neck, speaking to other recent losses (and ultimately the complete futility of a grim darkness of a far future where there is only War, but I might be reading too much into that...)

Anyway, he joins my growing Black Templars force that I've been working on this year with my Crusader squads.

Painted like the rest of my Black Templars in the Zorn palette style using a combination of Apothecary White (what else?) contrast paint as well as experimenting with some make-up sponge dabbing techniques.  Details were painted separately and assembled at the end. Mars styled basing to match the rest of my BT army.

Submitted to the AHPC16 Challenge here:

https://thepaintingchallenge.blogspot.com/2025/12/from-paul-og-astartes-apothecary-9.html

More Black Templars!

I few months ago I confessed to starting some new units for my Black Templars army (which is still back in Australia) just to get the brushes moving again.

https://tasmancave.blogspot.com/2025/10/back-on-brushes-crusader-squad.html

I've now finished a second (melee equipped) crusader squad, who are ready for action.

I stayed with the fresher, brighter look for this look, and yellow weapon casings help a lot with that. Its been fun to experiment with the "magma" style effects on the power weapons too.

These 20 wrathful lads are led by the cool new Execrator (read Chaplain) figure.  

When playing Black Templars, you can never field enough Chaplains to chat Litanies of Hate and inspire Righteous Fury in the Brothers. I went with the master crafted power sword just because it looked cool, but he can take a hand flamer or master crafted bolt pistol instead.

Pretty cool model - tempted to get another and make him with different weapons

I spent a bit of time on him, keeping his colours muted to help make the sword pop, and then doing some different OSL effects where the sword glow reflects off his armour. Learned lots.

Just for fun, I entered him into local Honolulu painting competition "Iron Brush". No prizes but did make the top 10, which was nice. It was fun to really focus on quality output and new techniques.

https://other-realms.com/iron-brush-2025

Thats it for now, but expect more Templar love during the upcoming painting challenge

Until next time, Suffer not the Witch, Mutant or Heretic to live!

Hobby Notes

Undercoat Coat - Pro-Cryl Brown Black

Base Coat - thinned Abaddon Black, Corax Black, then heavy drybrush with Dawnstone

Silver: Iron Warriors, Nuln Oil, 

Golds: Belthazar Gold, Agrax Shade, Retributor Gold

Red: Mephiston Red, Thinned Reikland Flesh shade, 50/50 Mephiston / Evil Suns Scarlet

Leather: Vallejo, 

Basing (as per all my other Black Templars)

Martian Ironcrust Technical texture paint

Doombull brown

Tuskgor fur

Reikland Fleshwash shade

Drybrush Tusgor fur and Karak stone

Black Undercoat then Abaddon Black base coat

Counting the Trojan pile

Did a bit of a count up of the big box of Bronze Age figs I inherited from a friend who sadly passed away last year and hadn't gotten to this particular project. It was a little melancholy with his hand written labels amongst them, but I know he'll be glad they went to a good home. 

Most are Redoubt figures with a few from Eureka thrown in, and I'll need to split them between "Greeks" and "Trojans" and all their respective Allies. I plan to replace the soft lead spears with wire or something better - I hate that wobbly, bent look.

Line troops

Spearmen - 92 assorted

Swordsmen 54 assorted

Missile troops

Archers (helmets) - 18

Archers (no helmets) - 6

Naked Slingers - 12

Javelins - 18

Lukka - 8

Dendra - 19+1 damaged

Myrmidons - 8

Major Heroes

Achilles

Hector

Sarpedon

Agamemnon

Odysseus

9 light Chariots (2 horses)

Now to see if I can entice Slowpainter John to join me in this endeavour!

Back on the Brushes! Crusader Squad

The first models I've finished in a year! Good to be back!

Got these Crusader Squad boys second hand and pre built. I understand these guys are better in the game built as a melee unit but even in the 41st Millenium somebody has to shoot guns! Colour wise I went with something a bit different to my other Templars to make them look cleaner and cohesive as a unit.

Wanted them less grimy, noting there are Squires/Neophytes in the squad to clean the battle gear. So the shoulder guards are clean in classic Titanium white as per Zorn Palette. In that theme I used more Ocre too, with all the guns done in yellow rather than the usual red. 

Modelling Notes

Black Undercoat overall, V heavy drybrush- Corvus Black, Heavy drybrush Skavenblight dinge, Light Zenithal drybrush with 

Shoulderpads - Drybrush x 2 Celestra Grey / Titanium White x 3 (Pro Acryl)

Tabards & Cloth - Dark Sand / Sepia Wash

Leather boots/gloves: Vallejo leather, XV88 highlights

Yellow Weapons - Averland Sunset (2 coats) / Sepia wash / Averland sunset highlight, Ariel yellow top highlights. Red templar cross decals (Initiates only, not Neophytes)

Fleshy Bitz - AP Barbarian Flesh / Flesh Wash / mixed AP Barbarian Flesh and AP Light Flesh

Crimean War Russians

Aficionados of this blog may recall that I did a unit of French Grenadier Garde to start a Crimean War project (...almost 2 years ago now):

https://tasmancave.blogspot.com/2024/01/ahpc-14-french-grenadiers.html

Well its about time to get them somebody (Historical this time) to fight on the tabletop!

Bog standard Russian line infantry - a basic unit to get me started. I was going to get the lovely Great War Miniatures figs but I need to get some figures done and these get me going at a good price. I kinda prefer the forage caps (mutzes) to the helmets but they will be distinctive!

Planning this to be a project for AHPC 16. I really missed the challenge last year so hope to participate in a limited way this time around (hard to call it "Winter" in Hawai'i!)

EDIT: a couple of minor issues with the box were quickly addressed by Warlord Games. 

Their customer service was excellent!