Russian Ministry of Defence

Russian Ministry of Defence
Name	Russian Ministry of Defence
Native name	Министерство обороны Российской Федерации
Seal width	150
Seal caption	Emblem of the Ministry of Defence
Formed	07 May 1992
Preceding1	Ministry of Defence (Soviet Union)
Jurisdiction	Government of Russia
Headquarters	Znamenka 19, Moscow
Minister1 name	Andrey Belousov
Minister1 pfo	Minister of Defence
Chief1 name	Nikolay Pankov
Chief1 position	State Secretary
Chief2 name	Valery Gerasimov
Chief2 position	Chief of the General Staff
Child1 agency	Armed Forces of the Russian Federation
Child2 agency	Russian Ground Forces
Child3 agency	Russian Aerospace Forces
Child4 agency	Russian Navy
Child5 agency	Russian Strategic Rocket Forces
Child6 agency	Russian Airborne Forces
Child7 agency	Special Operations Forces (Russia)
Website	ens.mil.ru

Russian Ministry of Defence is the government body responsible for formulating and executing national defence policy and administering the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. Established in the aftermath of the dissolution of the Soviet Union, it succeeded the Ministry of Defence (Soviet Union) and is headquartered in Moscow on Znamenka Street. The ministry is led by the Minister of Defence, a key member of the Security Council of Russia, and oversees the vast structure of the Russian military, including its General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.

History

The ministry's origins trace back to imperial institutions like the Ministry of War of the Russian Empire. Its direct predecessor, the Ministry of Defence (Soviet Union), was formed from the People's Commissariat for Military and Naval Affairs following the Russian Revolution. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation were established by decree of Boris Yeltsin, with the modern ministry officially formed in May 1992. Key figures in its development include Pavel Grachev, the first minister, and Sergei Shoigu, whose long tenure saw modernization efforts and involvement in conflicts like the War in Donbas and the Russian military intervention in Syria. The ministry's structure and doctrine have evolved through periods such as the First Chechen War, the 2008 Russian military reform, and the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Structure and leadership

The ministry is headed by the Minister of Defence, a civilian post since 2007, currently held by Andrey Belousov who succeeded Sergei Shoigu in 2024. The minister is supported by deputies, including the Chief of the General Staff—a role held by Valery Gerasimov—who commands the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. Other key officials include the State Secretary and deputies overseeing branches like the Russian Ground Forces and Russian Aerospace Forces. The ministry's central apparatus includes numerous main directorates and services, such as the Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) and the Russian National Defence Management Centre, which coordinates military operations.

Functions and responsibilities

The ministry's primary function is the administrative control and operational command of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. It develops military doctrine, as outlined in documents like the Military Doctrine of the Russian Federation, and executes defence policy in coordination with the Security Council of Russia and the President. It manages nuclear forces under the Russian Strategic Rocket Forces, conducts international military cooperation, and oversees arms procurement through entities like Rostec. The ministry also administers military education at academies such as the Military Academy of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Russia and is responsible for mobilization, as seen during the 2022 Russian mobilization.

Budget and expenditures

The ministry operates with one of the world's largest military budgets, funded through the Federal budget of Russia. Defence spending is classified under the State Armament Programme and has increased significantly, particularly after the annexation of Crimea and during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Major expenditures fund procurement of systems from United Aircraft Corporation and Almaz-Antey, maintenance of the Russian Navy including the Northern Fleet, and salaries for personnel. A substantial portion is allocated to modernizing the Russian Aerospace Forces and developing advanced weapons like the RS-28 Sarmat and Avangard hypersonic systems. Budget transparency has been questioned, with funds also directed to paramilitary groups like the Wagner Group.

Military districts and fleets

For operational command, the ministry divides Russia into five military districts: the Western Military District, Southern Military District, Central Military District, Eastern Military District, and the Joint Strategic Command North. Each district commands ground, aerospace, and naval assets within its territory. The Russian Navy is organized into four fleets—the Northern Fleet, Pacific Fleet, Black Sea Fleet, and Baltic Fleet—and the Caspian Flotilla. These districts and fleets were reorganized under the 2008 Russian military reform and are central to operations in Syria and against Ukraine, with the Southern Military District heavily involved in the Battle of Donbas.

Controversies and criticism

The ministry has faced significant international criticism and allegations of war crimes during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, including attacks on civilian infrastructure in Mariupol and the Bucha massacre. It has been accused of systemic corruption, notably in scandals involving Deputy Minister Timur Ivanov, and of poor planning leading to high casualties, as seen in the Battle of Ilovaisk and the 2022 Kharkiv counteroffensive. The ministry's relationship with irregular forces like the Wagner Group and the Kadyrovtsy has also drawn scrutiny. Internally, it has been criticized for hazing practices (dedovshchina) and for the handling of incidents such as the Sinking of the Moskva and the 2023 Wagner Group rebellion.

Category:Ministries of defence Category:Government ministries of Russia Category:Military of Russia