Author's background is right below the article:

Mikhail Mikhailovich Khodarenok - military observer, retired colonel.

Graduated from the Minsk Higher Engineering Anti-Aircraft Missile School (1976),

Military Command Academy of Air Defense (1986).

Commander of the S-75 anti-aircraft missile battalion (1980–1983).

Deputy commander of an anti-aircraft missile regiment (1986–1988).

Senior officer of the Main Staff of the Air Defense Forces (1988–1992).

Officer of the Main Operational Directorate of the General Staff (1992–2000).

Graduate of the Military Academy of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces (1998).

Columnist for the Independent (2000-2003), editor-in-chief of the Military Industrial Courier (2010-2015).