Russian Armed Forces

Russian Armed Forces
F l a n k e r · Public domain · source
Unit name	Russian Armed Forces
Native name	Вооружённые силы Российской Федерации
Caption	Flag of the Russian Armed Forces
Founded	7 May 1992
Current form	1992
Branches	Russian Ground Forces, Russian Aerospace Forces, Russian Navy, Strategic Rocket Forces, Russian Airborne Forces
Headquarters	Moscow
Commander-in-chief	President of Russia
Minister	Sergei Shoigu
Chief of staff	Valery Gerasimov
Age	18–27
Conscription	12 months
Active	c. 1,150,000 (2024)
Reserve	c. 2,000,000
Budget	6.4 trillion rubles (2024)
Percent GDP	6.0% (2024 est.)
Domestic suppliers	Rostec, United Aircraft Corporation, Almaz-Antey
Foreign suppliers	Historically Soviet Union
Related articles	Military history of Russia, Soviet Armed Forces

Russian Armed Forces. The Russian Armed Forces constitute the military of the Russian Federation, formed in 1992 following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. They are among the world's largest military forces, organized into several service branches and two independent arms of service. The forces are tasked with defending the nation's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and have been extensively deployed in conflicts such as the Second Chechen War, the Russo-Georgian War, and the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.

History

The modern military traces its official lineage to a decree by Boris Yeltsin in May 1992, inheriting the bulk of the personnel and infrastructure of the Soviet Armed Forces. The tumultuous 1990s were marked by severe underfunding, corruption scandals, and difficult campaigns during the First Chechen War. Under the leadership of Vladimir Putin, who became president in 2000, military reform and increased funding began, tested in the Second Chechen War. Significant structural changes were prompted by perceived shortcomings during the Russo-Georgian War in 2008, leading to the 2008 Russian military reform. Subsequent interventions in Syria from 2015 and the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 have defined its recent operational history, resulting in heavy casualties and international condemnation.

Structure and organization

The supreme commander is the President of Russia, with operational command exercised through the Ministry of Defence (Russia) and the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces. The main service branches are the Russian Ground Forces, the Russian Aerospace Forces, and the Russian Navy. Two separate "arms of service" report directly to the General Staff: the Strategic Rocket Forces, responsible for land-based nuclear missiles, and the Russian Airborne Forces (VDV). Other key components include the Special Operations Forces (Russia) and the Russian Guard (Rosgvardiya), the latter being an internal military force. The country is divided into several military districts, including the Western Military District and the Southern Military District.

Personnel and training

Personnel consists of a mix of conscripts, serving one-year terms, and volunteer contract soldiers (*kontraktniki*). Senior leadership includes officers trained at academies like the Mikhailovskaya Military Artillery Academy and the Military Academy of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Russia. The Russian Military Police handle discipline and law enforcement within the ranks. Major training grounds include the Alabino firing range and the 249th Central Training Ground at Ashuluk. The war in Ukraine has led to significant losses, prompting multiple rounds of partial mobilization in Russia in 2022 and ongoing efforts to recruit volunteers, including from the Wagner Group private military company.

Equipment and technology

The forces operate a vast and diverse arsenal, much of it modernized from Soviet-era designs. Key armored vehicles include the T-90 and T-14 Armata tanks, and the BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicle. The aerospace forces field aircraft such as the Sukhoi Su-35, Sukhoi Su-57 stealth fighter, and Mil Mi-28 attack helicopter. The navy's major assets include the Kirov-class battlecruiser Admiral Nakhimov, Borei-class submarine ballistic missile submarines, and the aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov. Strategic deterrence relies on systems like the RS-24 Yars intercontinental ballistic missile and the Avangard (hypersonic glide vehicle). Primary defense manufacturers are state conglomerates like Rostec, United Aircraft Corporation, and Kalashnikov Concern.

Modernization and reforms

A major modernization program, often referred to as the State Armament Programme, was launched after 2008 with the goal of achieving 70% modern equipment by 2020. This effort focused on procuring new platforms like the Sukhoi Su-34 bomber, S-400 missile system, and Project 22350 frigates. Reforms also aimed to create a more professional, mobile force, streamlining the command structure and establishing new formations like the 1st Guards Tank Army. The demands of the war in Ukraine have accelerated certain developments, such as drone warfare and electronic warfare systems, while also exposing logistical weaknesses and leading to a renewed emphasis on artillery production and older equipment refurbishment.

Role and deployments

Beyond national defense, the military is a key instrument of Russian foreign policy and power projection. It maintains permanent bases abroad, such as the Hmeimim air base in Syria and the 102nd Military Base in Armenia. It leads the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and frequently conducts large-scale exercises like Vostok and Zapad. Its most significant ongoing deployment is in Ukraine, following the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the subsequent full-scale invasion. Other operational areas include peacekeeping missions in Nagorno-Karabakh and support for allied governments, while its nuclear forces under the Strategic Rocket Forces remain on constant alert as part of the nation's strategic deterrent posture.

Category:Military of Russia Category:Armed forces by country