PBS: 30 September at 9.40pm

Russia’s Wars

When Russia mobilises, the world watches closely.

Peter and Catherine the Great expanded Russia, while their successors defended against Napoleon and strengthened the empire. Nicholas II’s repressive policies led to its fall. The Red Army, under Trotsky, secured victories and resisted Hitler, but Stalin’s regime later faced instability, exacerbated by the Afghan conflict. Putin, rising to power in 2000, has revitalised Russia’s military and pursued conflicts in Georgia, Chechnya, and Ukraine, blaming Western influence for Russia’s challenges.

From Peter the Great’s military conquests to Putin’s efforts to restore imperialism, this nonfictional series, with rare footage and expert insights, traces Russia’s epic history of power and transformation.