Armed Forces of the Russian Federation

Armed Forces of the Russian Federation
Name	Armed Forces of the Russian Federation
Native name	Вооружённые силы Российской Федерации
Founded	7 May 1992
Current form	1992
Branches	Russian Ground Forces, Russian Aerospace Forces, Russian Navy, Russian Strategic Rocket Forces, Russian Airborne Forces (VDV)
Headquarters	Moscow
Commander-in-chief	President Vladimir Putin
Minister	Sergei Shoigu
Chief of staff	Valery Gerasimov
Age	18
Conscription	12 months
Active	c. 1,150,000 (2024)
Reserve	c. 2,000,000
Budget	~$109 billion (2024 est.)
Percent GDP	~6% (2024 est.)
Domestic suppliers	Rostec, United Aircraft Corporation, Almaz-Antey
Foreign suppliers	Historically Soviet Union

Armed Forces of the Russian Federation are the military forces of the Russian Federation, established following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. They are among the world's largest military forces, comprising five main service branches and commanded directly by the President of Russia. The forces have been engaged in numerous conflicts, including the Second Chechen War, the Russo-Georgian War, the Russian military intervention in Syria, and the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.

History

The modern military was formally established by decree of Boris Yeltsin in 1992, inheriting the bulk of the personnel and infrastructure of the Soviet Armed Forces. The chaotic 1990s, marked by the First Chechen War and severe underfunding, led to a period of significant decline. Major reforms began under Minister of Defence Anatoliy Serdyukov after the Russo-Georgian War in 2008, aiming to create a more mobile and professional force. These efforts were continued and expanded by his successor, Sergei Shoigu, focusing on modernization and increased combat readiness, which was tested in operations in Syria beginning in 2015 and later on a massive scale in Ukraine.

Structure and organization

The armed forces are divided into five service branches: the Russian Ground Forces, the Russian Aerospace Forces (which consolidated the Russian Air Force and Russian Air Defence Forces), the Russian Navy, the independent Russian Strategic Rocket Forces, and the Russian Airborne Forces (VDV). Operational and administrative command is exercised through the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, headed by the Chief of the General Staff such as Valery Gerasimov. The country is divided into five military districts: the Western Military District, Southern Military District, Central Military District, Eastern Military District, and the Northern Fleet Joint Strategic Command.

Personnel and conscription

Personnel consists of a mix of contracted professional soldiers (kontraktniki) and conscripts. Mandatory conscription requires twelve months of service for males aged 18-27, though many receive deferments. Efforts to increase the proportion of professional personnel, especially in combat units, have been a long-term goal, significantly accelerated after 2008. The Russian National Guard (Rosgvardiya), commanded by Viktor Zolotov, is a separate internal military force reporting directly to the President of Russia.

Equipment and technology

The military operates a vast and diverse arsenal, predominantly of domestic Soviet and Russian design. Major state corporations like Rostec, United Aircraft Corporation, and Almaz-Antey are primary suppliers. Key systems include the T-14 Armata tank, Su-57 fighter jet, Borei-class submarine, and Kalibr cruise missiles. The nuclear triad, managed by the Russian Strategic Rocket Forces, relies on systems like the RS-24 Yars and the new RS-28 Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missiles. Modernization programs have prioritized C4ISR, precision-guided munitions, and unmanned systems, heavily influenced by lessons from Syria and Ukraine.

Recent operations and deployments

Since 2015, the military has maintained a significant presence in Syria in support of the government of Bashar al-Assad, providing air support and advisors. A large-scale, permanent military buildup occurred in Crimea following its annexation in 2014. The most extensive operation is the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, launched in February 2022, involving hundreds of thousands of troops across the Ground Forces, Aerospace Forces, and Navy. Other notable deployments include peacekeeping missions in Nagorno-Karabakh and Kazakhstan.

Budget and economy

The official defense budget is one of the world's largest, though exact figures are opaque due to off-budget funding and secrecy. Spending surged after 2014, financing the modernization drive dubbed the State Armament Programme. A significant portion of the budget is allocated to procurement from defense giants like Uralvagonzavod and Sukhoi. The Russian military-industrial complex is a major employer and a key tool of foreign policy, with arms exports to countries like India, Algeria, and Vietnam. The war in Ukraine has led to a further drastic increase in military expenditure, reaching an estimated 6% of GDP.

Category:Military of Russia Category:Armed forces by country