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 Uhlan plans

My next unit will be more Cavalry -  Russian Uhlans (Lancers), which featured prominently at Balaclava and other battles. Amongst others, the Russians employed a Combined (Composite) Uhlan regiment, comprising squadrons from different regiments, all under the command of Colonel V. M. Yeropkin (sometimes spelled Jeropkine). 

Three of these, the Litovskyi, Volynskyi and Odesskyi regiments, were engaged with the Light Division during their (in)famous charge. Squadrons were also provided by the Voznesenskyi, Olviopolskyi, and Bugskyi Regiments, though they were not part of the engagement with the British Light Brigade.

Uniform details of these Regiments from a period 1850 Russian document (note the snazzy czapka cap with white metal eagle plate on the front).  Litovskyi (Erzherzog Albert's) Uhlan regiment on the left and Volynskyi (His Imperial Highness Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolajevich's) Uhlan regiment on the right

Note the "N 16" and "N 17" are plate references NOT Regimental Numbers)

From "Uniforms of the Imperial Russian Army", Blanford Colour series, by Boris and John Mollo 

And the Bugskyi and Odesskyi (Herzog's of Nassau) Uhlan regiments

And the Voznesentsky Uhlans:

from: Osprey MAA 241: Russian Army of the Crimean War

Uhlan uniform description from "Uniforms & Weapons of the Crimean War", by Robert Wilkinson-Latham

I *think* the match of Names to Regimental numbers was this:

• 1st Life Guards Uhlan Regiment (Leib-Gvardii Uhlanskiy Polk)
• 2nd Life-Uhlans Kurland Regiment
• 3rd Smolensk Uhlan Regiment
• 4th Kharkov Uhlan Regiment
• 5th Litovsky (Lithuanian) Uhlan Regiment
• 6th Volynsky (Volhynia) Uhlan Regiment
• 7th Olviopol Uhlan Regiment
• 8th Voznesensky Uhlan Regiment
• 9th Bugsky (Bug) Uhlan Regiment
• 10th Odessa (Odesskyi) Uhlan Regiment
• 11th Chuguev Uhlan Regiment
• 12th Belgorod Uhlan Regiment
• 13th Vladimir Uhlan Regiment
• 14th Yamburg Uhlan Regiment
• 15th Serpukhov Uhlan Regiment
• 16th Taganrog Uhlan Regiment
• 17th Novomirgorod Uhlan Regiment
• 18th Orenburg Uhlan Regiment
• 19th Elisavetgrad Uhlan Regiment
• 20th Voznesensky Uhlan Regiment

Great online Russian Uniform reference: 

https://antologifo-narod-ru.translate.goog/pages/aku.htm?fbclid=IwY2xjawS9JkNleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETE5ckF3MHljSHRoUnhxQ2Rlc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHoq3QMDzi77uZz9t4MvCnMnM_9wqqVuMXUgpCzm4tOIo3MLQLGPg_-sbhMn3_aem_tBcSTq7m2Xxj9KQZyJJARw&_x_tr_sl=ru&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-US&_x_tr_pto=wapp

Figure wise I've ordered some of Eureka Miniatures's Russian Uhlans (thanks Nic!). The "Unlucky General" has previously posted a review of these figs (and done a very nice job of painting them up) so I'll defer to him - but his post sold me on getting a dozen!

https://balaclavabuild.blogspot.com/2023/05/1st-sqadron-9th-bug-lancers-dimitris.html

The Unlucky General's 9th Bug (Boug/Bugski) Lancers with home made pennants.
No greatcoats on these ones - I'll have to paint them properly!

A hearty thanks indeed to Nick from the "Crimean War 1853-1856" Facebook page for providing the uniform plates and doing the translations.

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.

June Hobby Update

Its been a nice month at home, enjoying summer in Hawai'i and (slowly) progressing a few hobby projects.

First up my Crimean War Russians - I have these guys on my painting table. Some Commanders and Leaders, a unit of Hussars, and a cannon and crew. 

Its a 'test gun'- clearly I need a lot more Russian cannons for the Crimea!

The Hussars are of the Ingermanland Hussar Regiment who fought at all the major battles and who participated in the charge against the 93rd Highlanders of the "Thin Red Smear", and was later charged by the British Heavy Brigade at Balaclava.

Much snazzier without their overcoats on!

Still deciding on the basing for the Cavalry. I think 3 would look better but just 2 stands isn't really enough for a unit. More pondering (but knowing the answer is to buy more figures)...

I've also been working on a VSF Steam Tank / Landship - converting an old GI Joe toy from the late 80s. If that piques your interest you can see the project step by step here:

http://pauljamesog.blogspot.com/search/label/Project%20Landship

Earlier this month I played the second game in our Scrapjacks campaign with Curt, which has been fantastic: https://tasmancave.blogspot.com/2026/06/scrapjacks-mission-2.html

Last weekend Curt treated me to another wonderful online game: this time it was Devilry Afoot - another wonderfully narrative game so I'm working on an appropriate AAR for that now.

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