Russian Armed Forces

Armed forces under the Ministry of Defence are divided into:{{citation needed|date=October 2022}}

• The three branches of Armed Forces: the Ground Forces, Aerospace Forces, and Navy
• The two separate troop branches: the Strategic Rocket Forces and Airborne Forces
• The special forces of Armed Forces: the Special Operations Forces
• The Logistical Support of the Russian Armed Forces, which has a separate status of its own

There are additionally two further separate troop branches, the National Guard and the Border Service. These retain the legal status of "Armed Forces", while falling outside of the jurisdiction of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. The National Guard is formed on the basis of the former Internal Troops of Russia. The new structure has been detached from the Ministry of Internal Affairs into a separate agency, directly subordinated to the President of Russia. The Border Service is a paramilitary organization of the Federal Security Service, the country's main internal intelligence agency. Both organizations have significant wartime tasks in addition to their main peacetime activities and operate their own land, air and maritime units.

The number of personnel is specified by decree of the President of Russia. On 1 January 2008, a number of 2,019,629 units, including military of 1,134,800 units, was set.{{cite web|url=http://www.garant.ru/products/ipo/prime/doc/92625/|script-title=ru:Указ Президента РФ от 1 января 2008 г. № 1 "О штатной численности Вооруженных Сил Российской Федерации"|trans-title=RF Presidential Decree on 1 January 2008 № 1 "On the authorised strength of the Armed Forces"|language=ru|work=Garant.ru|date=6 February 2008|access-date=1 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305193258/http://www.garant.ru/products/ipo/prime/doc/92625/|archive-date=5 March 2016|url-status=live}} In 2010 the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) estimated that the Russian Armed Forces numbered about 1,027,000 active troops and in the region of 2,035,000 reserves (largely ex-conscripts).IISS Military Balance 2010, p. 222 As opposed to personnel specified by decree, actual personnel numbers on the payroll was reported by the Audit Chamber of Russia as 766,000 in October 2013.{{cite news|url=https://russiandefpolicy.blog/2013/10/31/766055/|title=766,055|agency=RIA Novosti|via=russiandefpolicy.blog|date=31 October 2013|access-date=13 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170414091751/https://russiandefpolicy.blog/2013/10/31/766055/|archive-date=14 April 2017|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://ria.ru/defense_safety/20131024/972333455.html|script-title=ru:Почти четверть должностей в ВC РФ были вакантными на начало года|trans-title=Almost a quarter of positions in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation were vacant at the beginning of the year|language=ru|publisher=RIA Novosti|date=24 October 2013|access-date=13 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170414082240/https://ria.ru/defense_safety/20131024/972333455.html|archive-date=14 April 2017|url-status=live |newspaper=Риа Новости }}

According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, between 2005–2009 and 2010–2014, Russian exports of major weapons increased by 37 percent;{{cite web|title=Trends in International Arms Transfer, 2014|url=http://books.sipri.org/product_info?c_product_id=495|website=www.sipri.org|publisher=Stockholm International Peace Research Institute|access-date=18 March 2015|ref=SIPRI Fact Sheet, March 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150319023856/http://books.sipri.org/product_info?c_product_id=495|archive-date=19 March 2015}} Russia spent $66.4 billion on arms in 2015,{{cite web|first1=Sam|last1=Perlo-Freeman|author2=Aude Fleurant|author3=Pieter Wezeman|author4=Siemon Wezeman|url=http://books.sipri.org/files/FS/SIPRIFS1604.pdf|title=Trends in World Military Expenditure, 2015|publisher=Stockholm International Peace Research Institute|date=April 2016|access-date=23 August 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160420171221/http://books.sipri.org/files/FS/SIPRIFS1604.pdf|archive-date=20 April 2016}} then $69.2 billion in 2016, having taken 3rd place (after the U.S. and China).[http://www.newsru.com/world/24apr2017/sipri.html Россия вышла на третье место в мире по объему военных расходов, оттеснив Саудовскую Аравию] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170424235459/http://www.newsru.com/world/24apr2017/sipri.html |date=24 April 2017}} NEWSru, 24 April 2017.

{{Main|Military history of the Russian Federation}}

{{See also|Military history of the Russian Empire|Military history of the Soviet Union}}

The Soviet Union officially dissolved on 25 December 1991. For the next year various attempts to keep its unity and to transform it into the military of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) failed. Over time, some units stationed in the newly independent republics swore loyalty to their new national governments, while a series of treaties between the newly independent states divided up the military's assets.{{sfn|Odom|1998|pages=369-387}}

Apart from assuming control of the bulk of the former Soviet Internal Troops and the KGB Border Troops, seemingly the only independent defence move the new Russian government made before March 1992 involved announcing the establishment of a National Guard.For some early discussion on this period, see Richard Woff, "A Russian Army", Jane's Intelligence Review, May 1992, 198-200. See also Voenniy vestnik No 12, 1991. Until 1995, it was planned to form at least 11 brigades numbering 3,000 to 5,000 each, with a total of no more than 100,000. National Guard military units were to be deployed in 10 regions, including in Moscow (three brigades), (two brigades), and a number of other important cities and regions. In Moscow alone 15,000 personnel expressed their desire to service in the new Russian Army, mostly former Soviet Armed Forces servicemen. In the end, President Yeltsin tabled a decree "On the temporary position of the Russian Guard", but it was not put into practice.{{cite web|url=http://tsiganok.ru/vpa/reforma/doc/260 |title=Short life of the new Russian Guard |publisher=Tsiganok.ru |date=21 December 2006 |access-date=24 March 2014}}

After signing the Belavezha Accords on 21 December 1991, the countries of the newly formed CIS signed a protocol on the temporary appointment of Marshal of Aviation Yevgeny Shaposhnikov as Minister of Defence and commander of the armed forces in their territory, including strategic nuclear forces. On 14 February 1992 Shaposhnikov formally became Supreme Commander of the CIS Armed Forces. On 16 March 1992 a decree by Boris Yeltsin created the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, the operational control of Allied High Command and the Ministry of Defence, which was headed by President.{{citation needed|date=October 2022}} Finally, on 7 May 1992, Yeltsin signed a decree establishing the armed forces and Yeltsin assumed the duties of the Supreme Commander.{{cite web|url=http://www.politika.su/prav/minobor.html|script-title=ru:Министерство обороны Российской Федерации|trans-title=Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation|language=ru|publisher=Politika.su|access-date=24 March 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121221184734/https://www.politika.su/prav/minobor.html|archive-date=21 December 2012}}

In May 1992, General Colonel Pavel Grachev became the Minister of Defence, and was made Russia's first Army General on assuming the post. By August or December 1993 CIS military structures had become CIS military cooperation structures with all real influence lost.The Staff for Coordinating Military Cooperation was established as the CIS Joint Armed Forces High Command in March 1992 and then reorganised as the Coordinating Staff in August 1993. It quickly became a very weak body as the new states' authorities asserted their control over their own armed forces. (Russia and NIS Mineral Industry Handbook, International Business Publications, 2007.) Army General Vladimir Yakovlev (general) appears to have become Chief of the Staff in June 2001 (DS2002-0819).

In the next few years, Russian forces withdrew from central and eastern Europe, as well as from some newly independent post-Soviet republics. While in most places the withdrawal took place without any problems, the Russian Armed Forces remained in some disputed areas such as the Sevastopol naval base in the Crimea as well as in Abkhazia, South Ossetia and in Transnistria. The Armed Forces have several bases in foreign countries, especially on territory of the former Soviet Republics.

In late 2000 Gazeta.ru reported that of 600,000 personnel planned to be dismissed from the various "power ministries," the Armed Forces would be reduced by 365,000.Gazeta.ru, "Military Machine Sentenced to Cut-back," 10 November 2000, http://www.gazeta.ru/print/mmstcb.shtml.

Both in Soviet and Russian times, corruption has been a significant impediment to the Armed Forces. "The change from Yeltsin to Putin ..had minimal effect on Russian military corruption. Putin, despite his desire to rebuild Russian strength, has not shown himself willing or able

to seriously deal with" corruption.{{Cite journal |last=Bukkvoll |first=Tor |date=January 2008 |title=Their Hands in the Till: Scale and Causes of Russian Military Corruption |url=http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0095327X06294622 |journal=Armed Forces & Society |language=en |volume=34 |issue=2 |pages=259–275 |doi=10.1177/0095327X06294622 |s2cid=145238073 |issn=0095-327X |access-date=4 November 2023 |archive-date=4 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231104010436/https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0095327X06294622 |url-status=live }} From 1991 to 2001, Russian authorities uncovered at least 350 billion rubles' (US$11.5 billion) worth of corruption in the armed forces (with, for comparison, the total defence budget for 2001 being 214 billion rubles). Areas of particular concern identified by a researcher at the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment in 2007 included the State Defence Order (perhaps 10-15% realised in 2004); "ghost soldiers," as "it is generally acknowledged that the number of actually serving personnel differs substantially from the authorized number of personnel," and officers at various levels can pocket excess money for themselves; and "the domestic purchases of goods and services, where corrupt officers overpay civilian providers in return for bribes."

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| footer = Russian stamps honoring soldiers killed in the invasion of Ukraine. As of February 2023, the number of Russian soldiers killed and wounded in Ukraine was estimated at nearly 200,000.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/02/us/politics/ukraine-russia-casualties.html |work=The New York Times|date=2 February 2023|title=Soaring Death Toll Gives Grim Insight Into Russian Tactics|access-date=19 March 2023|archive-date=7 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207184914/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/02/us/politics/ukraine-russia-casualties.html|url-status=live}}

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On 24 February 2022, Russian president Vladimir Putin gave the execute order to for the Armed Forces to begin the Russian invasion of Ukraine.{{cite news |title='Terrible toll': Russia's invasion of Ukraine in numbers |url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/terrible-toll-russias-invasion-of-ukraine-in-numbers/ |work=Euractiv |date=14 February 2023 |access-date=19 March 2023 |archive-date=12 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230712061818/https://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/terrible-toll-russias-invasion-of-ukraine-in-numbers/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Hussain |first1=Murtaza |title=The War in Ukraine Is Just Getting Started |url=https://theintercept.com/2023/03/09/ukraine-war-russia-iran-iraq/ |work=The Intercept |date=9 March 2023 |access-date=19 March 2023 |archive-date=18 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230518234805/https://theintercept.com/2023/03/09/ukraine-war-russia-iran-iraq/ |url-status=live }} On 10 April 2022 General Aleksandr Dvornikov assumed command of the operation.{{Cite news |last1=Burns |first1=Robert |last2=Yen |first2=Hope |date=10 April 2022 |title=US doubts new Russian war chief can end Moscow's floundering |publisher=AP News |url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-appoints-new-ukraine-war-commander-dvornikov-225f976f9abfb5aff6154ac3b77c21e6 |access-date=3 June 2022 |archive-date=5 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605060139/https://apnews.com/article/russia-appoints-new-ukraine-war-commander-dvornikov-225f976f9abfb5aff6154ac3b77c21e6?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=AP&utm_campaign=SocialFlow |url-status=live }} In July 2022, at the same time as the Armed Forces began suffering severe casualties, the Ground Forces began to site ammunition in or near structures which are frequented by civilians due to the human shield benefit, ostensibly because Ukrainian HIMARS had tilted the odds of his strategy of attrition by artillery.{{cite news |last1=Psaropoulos |first1=John |title=Russia resumes eastern Ukraine offensive and expands war aims |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/7/21/russia-resumes-hostilities-as-ukraine-targets-ammunition |publisher=Al Jazeera Media Network |date=21 June 2022 |access-date=24 July 2022 |archive-date=25 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220725192317/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/7/21/russia-resumes-hostilities-as-ukraine-targets-ammunition |url-status=live }} Within hours after Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu's signature on the UN-brokered deal to resume Ukraine's Black Sea grain exports, Russia bombed the Port of Odesa.{{cite news |title=Ukraine War: Missiles hit Odesa hours after grain agreement |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgVplcsjxRc |agency=YouTube |publisher=Sky News |date=23 July 2022 |access-date=24 July 2022 |archive-date=3 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220803234052/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgVplcsjxRc |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=UN officials announce grain exports deal with Russia, Ukraine and Turkey |url=https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20220722-live-ukraine-ports-to-reopen-after-grain-export-deal-with-russia-says-turkey |publisher=FRANCE 24 |date=22 July 2022 |access-date=24 July 2022 |archive-date=24 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220724120705/https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20220722-live-ukraine-ports-to-reopen-after-grain-export-deal-with-russia-says-turkey |url-status=live }}

According to Forbes Moscow had committed, as of the end of July 2022, 10 of its Combined Arms Armies to the invasion.{{cite news |last1=Axe |first1=David |title=In Southern Ukraine, Kyiv's Artillery Drops Bridges And Isolates A Whole Russian Army |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2022/07/29/in-southern-ukraine-kyivs-artillery-drops-bridges-and-isolates-a-whole-russian-army/?sh=54b2cb0c1e1a |work=Forbes |date=29 July 2022 |access-date=8 September 2022 |archive-date=8 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220908151335/https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2022/07/29/in-southern-ukraine-kyivs-artillery-drops-bridges-and-isolates-a-whole-russian-army/?sh=54b2cb0c1e1a |url-status=live }} The Wagner Group has made a name for itself as Putin's "private army."{{Cite news |title=What is the Wagner Group, Russia's mercenary organisation? |newspaper=The Economist |url=https://www.economist.com/the-economist-explains/2022/03/07/what-is-the-wagner-group-russias-mercenary-organisation |access-date=16 March 2022 |issn=0013-0613 |quote="From a legal perspective, Wagner doesn't exist," says Sorcha MacLeod |archive-date=2 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202144401/https://www.economist.com/the-economist-explains/2022/03/07/what-is-the-wagner-group-russias-mercenary-organisation |url-status=live }} In June 2023, Putin backed the Ministry of Defense's plan to make mercenary groups sign contracts, which Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin pushed against: these contracts would have placed the Wagner Group under the Ministry's command structure as subordinates and limited Prigozhin's own influence.{{Cite news |last=Osborn |first=Andrew |date=13 June 2023 |title=Putin backs push for mercenary groups to sign contracts despite Wagner's refusal |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/putin-backs-push-mercenary-groups-sign-contracts-despite-wagners-refusal-2023-06-13/ |url-status=live |access-date=24 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230622143644/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/putin-backs-push-mercenary-groups-sign-contracts-despite-wagners-refusal-2023-06-13/ |archive-date=22 June 2023}} Later in June, the Wagner Group turned against the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the Ministry of Defense{{Cite web |date=23 June 2023 |title=Putin in crisis: Wagner chief Prigozhin declares war on Russian military leadership, says 'we will destroy everything' |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/putin-in-crisis-as-wagner-chief-prigozhin-declares-war-on-russian-military-leadership/ |access-date=24 June 2023 |website=POLITICO |language=en |archive-date=23 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623231535/https://www.politico.eu/article/putin-in-crisis-as-wagner-chief-prigozhin-declares-war-on-russian-military-leadership/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last1=Regan |first1=Helen |last2=Raine |first2=Andrew |date=24 June 2023 |title=Russia accuses Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin of urging "armed rebellion": Live updates |language=en |work=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/russia-ukraine-war-news-06-24-23/index.html |url-status=live |access-date=24 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624073110/https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/russia-ukraine-war-news-06-24-23/index.html |archive-date=24 June 2023}} until a peace deal was reached. According to Prigozhin, part of the reason for his march against Russia was to stop the government from "[dismantling] PMC Wagner."{{cite news|last1=Bourke|first1=Latika|title=Live updates: Putin vows to defend Russia against Wagner rebellion|url=https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/live-updates-putin-vows-to-defend-russia-against-wagner-rebellion-20230624-p5dj6x.html|access-date=24 June 2023|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=24 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624145405/https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/live-updates-putin-vows-to-defend-russia-against-wagner-rebellion-20230624-p5dj6x.html|archive-date=24 June 2023|url-status=live}}

File:2024 Moscow Victory Day Parade 28.jpg]]

By July 2024, U.S. Army General Christopher Cavoli, NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe said that "[t]he Russians are very cleverly adapting technologically and procedurally to many of the challenges that they run into in Ukraine".{{cite web | title=General Cavoli notes Russia's adaptation to challenges in war against Ukraine | website=Interfax-Ukraine | date=2024-07-10 | url=https://interfax.com.ua/news/general/999380.html | ref={{sfnref | Interfax-Ukraine | 2024}} | access-date=2024-07-25 | archive-date=13 July 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713151622/https://interfax.com.ua/news/general/999380-amp.html | url-status=live }} Cavoli also said in April 2024 that the Russian military has replaced its troop and equipment losses and is larger than it was before the start of the conflict.{{cite web | title=Russian military replaced Ukraine battlefield losses 'far faster' than expected, general warns | website=POLITICO | date=2024-04-11 | url=https://www.politico.com/news/2024/04/11/christopher-cavoli-russian-military-losses-00151718 | ref={{sfnref | POLITICO | 2024}} | access-date=2024-07-25 | archive-date=13 July 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713202847/https://www.politico.com/news/2024/04/11/christopher-cavoli-russian-military-losses-00151718 | url-status=live }} On June 26, 2024, the UK-based Royal United Services Institute think tank reported that Russia continues to increase the production and sophistication of its main weapons and its defense industry remained highly dependent on foreign imports of critical components.{{cite web | title=A Methodology for Degrading the Arms of the Russian Federation | website=Royal United Services Institute | date=2024-06-26 | url=https://www.rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/occasional-papers/methodology-degrading-arms-russian-federation | ref={{sfnref | Royal United Services Institute | 2024}} | access-date=2024-07-25}} The Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi said on 24 July 2024 that Russians were much better resourced now but also suffer three times higher losses than Ukraine.{{cite web | last1=Harding | first1=Luke | last2=Mamo | first2=Alessio | title='I know we will win – and how': Ukraine's top general on turning the tables against Russia | website=the Guardian | date=2024-07-24 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jul/24/i-know-we-will-win-and-how-ukraines-top-general-on-turning-the-tables-against-russia | access-date=2024-07-25}}

According to NATO and Western military officials, approximately 1,200 Russian soldiers were killed or wounded in Ukraine every day on average in May and June 2024.{{cite news |title=Russia Sends Waves of Troops to the Front in a Brutal Style of Fighting |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/27/us/politics/russia-casualties-ukraine-war.html |work=The New York Times |date=27 June 2024}}{{cite news |title=Ukraine calls them meat assaults: Russia's brutal plan to take ground |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c80xjne8ryxo |work=BBC News |date=4 July 2024}} In June 2024, it was estimated that approximately 2% of all Russian men aged 20 to 50 had been killed or seriously wounded in Ukraine since February 2022.{{cite Q|Q127275136|url-access=subscription}} As of October 2024, it was estimated that over 600,000 Russian soldiers had been killed or wounded while fighting in Ukraine.{{cite news |title=In wartime Russia, some men may be worth more dead than alive, economist says |url=https://fortune.com/2024/11/16/russia-economy-military-death-payouts-vs-civilian-earnings-ukraine-war/ |work=Fortune |date=16 November 2024}} Military courts have received thousands of AWOL cases since Russia's 2022 mobilization.{{cite news |title=The Heavy Toll of Desertion From the Russian Army |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/22/magazine/desertion-russian-army-ukraine-war.html |work=The New York Times |date=22 September 2024}} Pro Asyl said in 2024 that at least 250,000 Russian conscripts had fled to other countries since February 2022.{{cite news |title=Fleeing Ukraine war, Russian deserters find refuge in France |url=https://www.dw.com/en/fleeing-ukraine-war-russian-deserters-find-refuge-in-france/a-70665369 |work=Deutsche Welle |date=2 November 2024}}

In November 2024, The Telegraph reported that Russia had for the first time issued a manual to soldiers instructing how to dig and maintain mass graves amid growing casualties. Russia's use of mass graves to bury its soldiers has been documented in occupied parts of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region.{{cite web | last=Kilner | first=James | title=Instruction manual for digging mass graves given to Russian troops | website=The Telegraph | date=3 November 2024 | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/11/03/instruction-manual-digging-mass-graves-russian-troops/ | access-date=12 April 2025}}

In March 2025, Blackwater private military company's founder Eric Prince dismissed the notion that the Russian army has significantly weakened by the war. He said that Russian forces have lost a lot of equipment but have become "infinitely smarter".{{cite web | title=Blackwater founder Erik Prince details how Russia upped electronic warfare to counter US weapons in just minutes | website=The Week | date=2025-03-18 | url=https://www.theweek.in/news/defence/2025/03/18/blackwater-founder-erik-prince-details-how-russia-upped-electronic-warfare-to-counter-us-weapons-in-just-minutes.html | ref={{sfnref|The Week|2025}} | access-date=2025-04-17}} On 9 April 2025, Oleksandr Syrskyi stated that Russian troops in Ukraine were now 623,000, increased fivefold since the start of the invasion, and they are increasing by 8,000-9,000 soldiers each month. He also said that Russia's overall mobilization capacity is 20 million people or 5 million people with military training. However, he noted that Russia's advantage in artillery has dropped from 10 to 1 to 2 to 1, mainly because of Ukrainian strikes on Russian ammunition depots.{{cite web | last=Fornusek | first=Martin | title=Russia has capacity to mobilize 5 million trained troops, Syrskyi says | website=The Kyiv Independent | date=2025-04-09 | url=https://kyivindependent.com/russia-has-capacity-to-mobilize-5-million-trained-troops-syrskyi-says/ | access-date=2025-04-17}}

File:Belousov-HR.jpg, Andrey Belousov|272x272px]]

File:Valery Gerasimov official photo version 2022-10-03.jpg, General of the Army Valery Gerasimov|272x272px]]

The Defence Ministry of the Russian Federation serves as the administrative body of the Armed Forces. Since Soviet times, the General Staff has acted as the main commanding and supervising body of the Russian armed forces. "[T]he Soviet General Staff without the MoD is conceivable, but the MoD without the General Staff is not."{{sfn|Odom|1998|page=27}}

Other departments include the Main Intelligence Directorate, the personnel directorate as well as the Logistical Support of the Russian Armed Forces, Railway Troops, Signal Troops and Construction Troops. The Ministry of Defence incorporated the Main Directorate of the Military Police Since 1 December 2012. The Main Directorate of the Military Police oversees subordinated military districts regional directorates of military police.{{cite news|author=|date=3 July 2012|title=Военная полиция появится в России 1 декабря 2012 года|language=ru|work=Interfax|url=https://www.interfax.ru/russia/253641|access-date=22 April 2022|archive-date=23 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023115756/https://www.interfax.ru/russia/253641|url-status=live}} The Chief of the General Staff is currently General of the Army Valery Gerasimov.

In July 2018, the Main Military-Political Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces was created, restoring a responsibility for ideological training that had been done away with in the Soviet Armed Forces.{{Cite web|date=31 July 2018|title=Putin gives Russian army a political wing|url=https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/putin-gives-russian-army-a-political-wing.685749|access-date=12 December 2021|website=Times of Malta|language=en-gb|archive-date=6 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220506003904/https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/putin-gives-russian-army-a-political-wing.685749|url-status=live}}

The Russian military is divided into three services: the Russian Ground Forces, the Russian Navy, and the Russian Aerospace Forces. In addition there are two independent arms of service: the Strategic Missile Troops and the Russian Airborne Troops. The Armed Forces as a whole are traditionally referred to as the Army (armiya), except in some cases, the Navy is specifically singled out.

File:Military districts of Russia 2016.svg as of 2021.
{{legend|#FF8080|Western Military District}} {{legend|#78B3FF|Northern Military District}} {{legend|#D6A477|Southern Military District}} {{legend|#B3FF80|Central Military District}} {{legend|#FEC82C|Eastern Military District}}]]

Since late 2010, the Ground Forces as well as the Aerospace Forces and Navy are distributed among four military districts: Western Military District, Southern Military District, Central Military District, and the Eastern Military District which also constitute four Joint Strategic Commands—West, South, Central, and East. Previously from 1992 to 2010, the Ground Forces were divided into six military districts: Moscow, Leningrad, North Caucausian, Privolzhsk-Ural, Siberian and Far Eastern, with the seventh military district: Kaliningrad formed in 1997; in service until 2010.

Russia's four naval fleets and one flotilla were organizations on par with the Ground Forces' Military Districts. These seven MDs were merged into the four new MDs, which now also incorporate the aerospace forces and naval forces. There is one remaining Russian military base, the 102nd Military Base, in Armenia left of the former Transcaucasus Group of Forces and is incorporated into the Southern Military District.

In mid-2010 a reorganisation was announced which consolidated military districts and the navy's fleets into four Joint Strategic Commands (OSC).{{cite journal|first=Andrew|last=Wallace|url=http://www.bu.edu/phpbin/news-cms/news/?dept=732&id=56306|title=New military command structure and outsourcing initiatives|journal=THE ISCIP ANALYST (Russian Federation) an Analytical Review|publisher=Boston University|volume=XVI|issue=13|date=27 May 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021200710/http://www.bu.edu/phpbin/news-cms/news/?dept=732&id=56306|archive-date=21 October 2012}}

In 2014 the Northern Fleet was reorganized in separate Joint Strategic Command. Since 1 January 2021, this Command has the status of military district.{{cite news|author=|date=1 January 2021|title=Северный флот России получил статус военного округа|language=ru|work=Interfax|url=https://www.interfax.ru/russia/743819|access-date=16 September 2021|archive-date=20 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220120100431/https://www.interfax.ru/russia/743819|url-status=live}}

File:Gennady Anashkin, 2024.jpg, commander of the Southern Military District since 15 May 2024]]

Geographically divided, the five commands/districts are:

• Joint Strategic Command West – Western Military District (HQ in St. Petersburg), includes the Baltic Fleet;
• Joint Strategic Command North – Northern Military District (HQ in Severomorsk), includes the Northern Fleet;
• Joint Strategic Command South – Southern Military District (HQ in Rostov-on-Don) includes the Black Sea Fleet and Caspian Flotilla;
• Joint Strategic Command Center – Central Military District (HQ in Yekaterinburg);
• Joint Strategic Command East – Eastern Military District (HQ in Khabarovsk), includes the Pacific Fleet.

The plan was put in place on 1 December 2010 and mirrors a proposed reorganisation by former Chief of the General Staff Army General Yuri Baluyevsky for a Regional Command East which was not implemented.{{cite news|first=Alexsander|last=Golts|url=http://www.themoscowtimes.com/opinion/article/3-heads-are-worse-than-one/410666.html|title=3 Heads are worse than one|newspaper=The Moscow Times|date=20 July 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100722071902/http://www.themoscowtimes.com/opinion/article/3-heads-are-worse-than-one/410666.html|archive-date=22 July 2010}} The four commands were set up by a decree of President Medvedev on 14 July 2010.{{citation needed|date=February 2023}} In July 2011, an Operational-Strategic Command of Missile-Space Defence has also been established on the basis of the former Special Purpose Command of the Russian Air Force. A Presidential decree of January 2011 named commanders for several of the new organisational structures.{{cite web|url=http://news.kremlin.ru/acts/10032|script-title=ru:Кадровые изменения в Вооружённых Силах|trans-title=Staffing changes in the Armed Forces|language=ru|publisher=Presidential Administration of Russia|date=9 January 2011|access-date=23 March 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110112174311/http://news.kremlin.ru/acts/10032|archive-date=12 January 2011}}

Russian security bodies not under the control of the Ministry of Defence include the Internal Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (now the National Guard of Russia's National Guard Forces Command), the Border Guard Service of Russia (part of the Federal Security Service), the Kremlin Regiment and the rest of the Federal Protective Service, and the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the country's civil defence service since 1995 and successor to earlier civil defence units.

File:Zapad-2009 military exercises.jpg Zubr-class LCAC]]

File:Map of Northern Fleet bases ENG.svg|226x226px]]

The Navy consists of four fleets and one flotilla:

• Northern Fleet (HQ at Severomorsk) forms own Joint Strategic Command.
• Baltic Fleet (HQ at Kaliningrad in the exclave of Kaliningrad Oblast) subordinated to Joint Strategic Command West.
• Black Sea Fleet (HQ at Sevastopol, disputed region of Crimea) subordinated to Joint Strategic Command South.
• Pacific Fleet (HQ at Vladivostok) subordinated to Joint Strategic Command East.
• Caspian Flotilla (HQ at Astrakhan) subordinated to Joint Strategic Command South.

File:2015 Moscow Victory Day Parade - 01.jpg]]

File:Alabino220415part1-06.jpg

File:FinalCheck2018-13.jpg of the Russian Airborne Forces in 2018]]

File:4thTankDivisionOpenDay17p2-06.jpg infantry combat system in reconnaissance variant and AFV crew individual protection kit Ratnik-ZK]]

Conscription is used in Russia; the term of service is 12 months; and the eligible age is between 18 and 27 years old. Deferments are provided to undergraduate and graduate students, men supporting disabled relatives, parents of at least two children and—upon Presidential proclamation—to some employees of military-oriented enterprises. Men holding a Ph.D., as well as sons and brothers of servicemen killed or disabled during their military service, are released from conscription.

There were widespread problems with hazing in the Army, known as dedovshchina, where first-year draftees are abused by second-year draftees, a practice that appeared in its current form after the change to a two-year service term in 1967.{{sfn|Odom|1998}} According to Anna Politkovskaya, in 2002, "a complete battalion, more than five hundred men, had been killed not by enemy fire but by beatings".{{cite book|last=Politkovskaya|first=Anna|author-link=Anna Politkovskaya|title=Putin's Russia: Life in a Failing Democracy|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oju7iVVo-QMC&pg=PA2|year=2007|publisher=Henry Holt and Company|isbn=978-1-4299-3915-7|page=2|access-date=12 October 2015|archive-date=28 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231028174415/https://books.google.com/books?id=oju7iVVo-QMC&pg=PA2#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=live}} Over a period of 9 months in 2003, 2,500 personnel were accused of dedovshchina, of which half were sentenced.Jane's Defence Weekly, 17 December 2003, p.25. To combat this problem, a new decree was signed in March 2007, which cut the conscription service term from 24 to 18 months. The term was cut further to one year on 1 January 2008.{{cite news|url=http://english.pravda.ru/russia/history/07-05-2007/91060-russian_army-0|title=History of Russian Armed Forces started with biggest military redeployment ever|newspaper=Pravda|date=7 May 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070512094841/http://english.pravda.ru/russia/history/07-05-2007/91060-russian_army-0|archive-date=12 May 2007}}{{cite book|format=PDF|last=Giles|first=Keir|author-link=Keir Giles|title=Where have all the soldiers gone?: Russia's military plans versus demographic reality|url=http://www.da.mod.uk/DesktopModules/EasyDNNNews/DocumentDownload.ashx?portalid=0&moduleid=2116&articleid=661&documentid=789|year=2006|publisher=Conflict Studies Research Centre|isbn=978-1-905058-92-1|access-date=14 April 2017|postscript=:|archive-date=26 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626174116/https://www.da.mod.uk/DesktopModules/EasyDNNNews/DocumentDownload.ashx?portalid=0&moduleid=2116&articleid=661&documentid=789|url-status=dead}} Explores some of the challenges of the March 2007 transition to the new approach to deployment.

Thirty percent of Russian Armed Forces' personnel were contract servicemen at the end of 2005.Central Intelligence Agency, [https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/russia/ The World Fact Book: Russia] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109173026/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/russia/ |date=9 January 2021 }} For the foreseeable future, the Armed Forces will be a mixed contract/conscript force. The Russian Armed Forces need to maintain a mobilization reserve to have manning resources capable of reinforcing the permanent readiness forces if the permanent readiness forces cannot deter or suppress an armed conflict on their own.{{cite web|url=http://www.mil.ru/eng/1862/12069/index.shtml|title=Recruitment: New Personnel Policy|publisher=Russian Ministry of Defence |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060823104531/http://www.mil.ru/eng/1862/12069/index.shtml|archive-date=23 August 2006}}

Recruitment into the Russian military are also open to non-Russian citizens of the Commonwealth of Independent States, of which Russia is the largest member."Azeris attracted to serve in Russian army." BBC Worldwide Monitoring. (Originally in the Azerbaijani paper Echo.) 14 March 2005. (Via Lexis-Nexis, 27 July 2005). By December 2003, the Russian parliament had approved a law in principle to permit the Armed Forces to employ foreign nationals on contract by offering them Russian citizenship after several years serviceHenry Ivanov, Quality not quantity: Country Briefing: Russia, Jane's Defence Weekly, 17 December 2003, p.25 yet, up to 2010, foreigners could only serve in Russia's armed forces after getting a Russian passport. Under a 2010 Defence Ministry plan, foreigners without dual citizenship would be able to sign up for five-year contracts and will be eligible for Russian citizenship after serving three years.{{cite web|first=Lidia|last=Okorokova|url=http://www.themoscownews.com/news/20101125/188233351.html|title=Russia's new Foreign Legion|publisher=The Moscow News|date=25 November 2010|access-date=24 March 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717014643/http://www.themoscownews.com/news/20101125/188233351.html|archive-date=17 July 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://info-wars.org/2010/11/29/now-you-can-join-the-russian-foreign-legion/|title=Now you can join the 'Russian Foreign Legion'|publisher=info-wars.org|date=29 November 2010|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111114211137/http://info-wars.org/2010/11/29/now-you-can-join-the-russian-foreign-legion/|archive-date=14 November 2011}} The change could open the way for CIS citizens to get fast-track Russian citizenship, and counter the effects of Russia's demographic crisis on its army recruitment. Each soldier in duty receives an Identity Card of the Russian Armed Forces. On 20 September 2022 the State Duma passed a bill which would make Russian citizenship available to foreign soldiers upon 12 months service in the AFRF; previously the service requirement had been set at three years.{{cite news |title=Foreign citizens serving in the Russian army under contract to be able to obtain citizenship of Russia under a simplified procedure |url=http://duma.gov.ru/en/news/55276/ |publisher=The Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation |date=20 September 2022 |access-date=13 April 2023 |archive-date=12 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230412114916/http://duma.gov.ru/en/news/55276/ |url-status=live }}

Awards and decorations of the Armed Forces are covered at the Awards and Emblems of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation.

On 17 November 2011, General Nikolai Makarov said that Russia had reached a crisis in the conscript service where there simply were not sufficient able-bodied men to draft and was forced to halve its conscription.{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}

In March 2013, Defence Minister Sergey Shoygu promised that all army quarters would have showers by the end of the year.{{cite web|url=http://en.ria.ru/military/20130204/179217279/Russian-Defense-Chief-Promises-Soldiers-Showers-by-Year-End.html|title=Russian Defense Chief Promises Soldiers Showers by Year End|publisher=RIA.ru|date=4 February 2013|access-date=18 May 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011233746/https://en.ria.ru/military/20130204179217279-Russian-Defense-Chief-Promises-Soldiers-Showers-by-Year-End/|archive-date=11 October 2016}}

In 2013, it was reported that:Interfax. “Number of Women Serving for Russian Armed Forces down by Nearly Two Thirds in 5 Years.” Interfax: Russia & CIS Military Newswire, 6 March 2013, via EbascoHost and WP:TWL.

"Compared to 2007, the number of female officers and warrant-officers has dropped by nearly two thirds. There were over 30,000 women serving under a contract [with the armed forces] in 2007, and now there are only slightly more than 11,000 of them, including 4,300 officers of various rank." Lt. Col. Yelena Stepanova, the chief of the social processes monitoring department at the Russian armed forces' sociological research center, said.

This trend [was] "not ..special" but correspond[ed] with the general .. reduction of the Russian armed forces."

On 28 May 2022, on the background of the ongoing invasion of Ukraine, Vladimir Putin signed the law which removed the upper age limit for signing first contract for the performance of voluntary military service (earlier this limit was 40 years old).{{cite act|type=Federal Law|index=147-FZ|date=28 May 2022|legislature=State Duma|title=О внесении изменения в статью 34 Федерального закона "О воинской обязанности и военной службе"|language=ru|trans-title=On amendments to the article 34 of the Federal Law "About military duty and military service"|url=http://pravo.gov.ru/proxy/ips/?searchres=&bpas=cd00000&a3=102000505&a3type=1&a3value=&a6=&a6type=1&a6value=&a15=&a15type=1&a15value=&a7type=1&a7from=&a7to=&a7date=28.05.2022&a8=147-%D4%C7&a8type=1&a1=&a0=&a16=&a16type=1&a16value=&a17=&a17type=1&a17value=&a4=&a4type=1&a4value=&a23=&a23type=1&a23value=&textpres=&sort=7&x=56&y=5}}{{cite news|title=Путин подписал закон об отмене возрастного предела для контрактников|language=ru|date=28 May 2022|publisher=Interfax|url=https://www.interfax.ru/russia/843442|access-date=9 June 2022|archive-date=9 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220609134313/https://www.interfax.ru/russia/843442|url-status=live}} Most of the contract soldiers fighting in Ukraine come from poorer sections of the Russian population.{{cite news |title=Russia showers cash on men enlisting in Ukraine war, bringing prosperity to some towns |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/world/russia-showers-cash-on-men-enlisting-in-ukraine-war-bringing-prosperity-to-some-towns-2-3259973 |work=Deccan Herald |publisher=International New York Times |date=2 November 2024}}{{cite news |title=Russia offers debt relief to recruits for Ukraine war |url=https://www.dw.com/en/russia-offers-debt-relief-to-recruits-for-ukraine-war/a-70868761 |work=Deutsche Welle |date=23 November 2024}} Signing bonuses for men who went to fight in Ukraine are more than a full year's salary for many people in Russia.{{cite news |title=For Some In Russia's Far-Flung Provinces, Ukraine War Is A Ticket To Prosperity |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-war-ukraine-wages-poverty-prosperity/32988390.html |work=RFE/RL’s Tatar-Bashkir Service |date=11 June 2024}}

In November 2024, following heavy personnel losses, Russia reduced payments to troops injured in the invasion of Ukraine amidst the Russian government facing increasing war costs due to the large amount of injuries.{{cite web | last=Cole | first=Brendan | title=Putin slashes soldiers' payouts as Russia's losses in Ukraine skyrocket | website=Newsweek | date=14 November 2024 | url=https://www.newsweek.com/russia-ukraine-war-troops-losses-1985722 | access-date=17 November 2024 | archive-date=16 November 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241116043148/https://www.newsweek.com/russia-ukraine-war-troops-losses-1985722 | url-status=live }}{{cite web | title=Russia to Reduce Payments for Soldiers Wounded in War | website=Bloomberg.com | date=14 November 2024 | url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-11-14/russia-to-reduce-payments-for-soldiers-wounded-in-war?embedded-checkout=true | access-date=17 November 2024}}

File:Release of officers of the Air force Academy in Voronezh (2019-06-29) 18.jpg in Voronezh]]

File:KHMASoPMilitaryOath2018-11.jpg]]

The Russian military education system, inherited from the Soviet Union, trains officer-specialists in narrowly-defined military occupational specialties. In this it differs greatly from the American military education system in which newly qualified second lieutenants receive particular specialties in the framework of their "career branch" only after graduation from a military academy or the ROTC.{{cite book|last=Golts|first=Alexander|title=Военная реформа и российский милитаризм|language=ru|trans-title=Military reform and Russian militarism|date=2017|location=Uppsala|publisher=Kph Trycksaksbolaget AB|isbn=978-91-554-9936-5|url=http://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:1138525/FULLTEXT01.pdf|page=143|access-date=9 March 2022|archive-date=15 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220315171313/http://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:1138525/FULLTEXT01.pdf|url-status=live}} Students of Russian civilian institutions of higher education wishing to join the reserve officer training program cannot choose a military occupational specialty, because each civilian specialty taught by civilian university is attached to a particular military occupational specialty taught by the military training center of the same university by the rector's order. It also differs from the American military education system in which students can choose between available types of ROTC.

The Russian military education system includes:

• Warrant officer schools, which prepare career warrant officers for active duty service.
• Higher military schools, which prepare career commissioned officers for active duty service as platoon/company commanders and at equivalent positions (tactical level).
• Military training centers within civilian institutions of higher education, which prepare reserve commissioned officers who can serve as platoon/company commanders and at equivalent positions (tactical level).
• Military academies, which improve the military occupational specialty knowledge of commissioned officers to allow them to be appointed to battalion/regiment/brigade commander or equivalent positions (operational-tactical level).
• Military Academy of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Russia, which improves skills of officers graduated from military academies to allow them to become highest-ranking military officers (strategic level).
• Adjunctura is a military analogue of civilian graduate school, which allow commissioned officers to get academic degree of candidate of sciences in military oriented specialties and be appointed to a teaching positions in military academies, military schools, military training centers.

Russian Armed Forces have reserves (Russian: запас; transliteration: zapas) which includes 2 components:

• Active reserve – Mobilization human reserve (Russian: мобилизационный людской резерв; transliteration: mobilizatsionnyy lyudskoy reserv)
• Inactive reserve – Mobilization human resource (Russian: мобилизационный людской ресурс; transliteration: mobilizatsionnyy lyudskoy resurs)

By default, at the end of active duty each military personnel is enrolled as a mobilization human resource. This applies equally to conscripts and volunteers regardless of ranks. Furthermore, graduates of civilian institutions of higher education, who have graduated the military training centers of their almae matres, trained under reserve officer program, are enrolled as mobilization Human Resources after their promotion to officer's rank (unlike graduates of such centers, trained under active duty officer program, who are due to be enrolled for active duty after their promotion to officer's rank). Mobilization human resource are replenished with males who reach the age of 27 years old and were not in military service for any reason.

Enrolling in the mobilization human reserve is voluntary and implies the special contract. This possibility is available for each persons, who is in the mobilization human resource already.{{cite act|type=Decree|index=933|date=3 September 2015|legislature=Government of Russia|title=Об утверждении Положения о порядке пребывания граждан Российской Федерации в мобилизационном людском резерве|language=ru|url=http://pravo.gov.ru/proxy/ips/?searchres=&bpas=cd00000&a3=&a3type=1&a3value=&a6=&a6type=1&a6value=&a15=&a15type=1&a15value=&a7type=1&a7from=&a7to=&a7date=03.09.2015&a8=933&a8type=1&a1=&a0=&a16=&a16type=1&a16value=&a17=&a17type=1&a17value=&a4=&a4type=1&a4value=&a23=&a23type=1&a23value=&textpres=&sort=7&x=54&y=18}} {{Cite web |url=http://pravo.gov.ru/proxy/ips/?searchres=&bpas=cd00000&a3=&a3type=1&a3value=&a6=&a6type=1&a6value=&a15=&a15type=1&a15value=&a7type=1&a7from=&a7to=&a7date=03.09.2015&a8=933&a8type=1&a1=&a0=&a16=&a16type=1&a16value=&a17=&a17type=1&a17value=&a4=&a4type=1&a4value=&a23=&a23type=1&a23value=&textpres=&sort=7&x=54&y=18 |title=Законодательство России. Поиск: Дата принятия 03.09.2015 Номер начинается на '933' |access-date=26 April 2024 |archive-date=28 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728121312/http://pravo.gov.ru/proxy/ips/?searchres=&bpas=cd00000&a3=&a3type=1&a3value=&a6=&a6type=1&a6value=&a15=&a15type=1&a15value=&a7type=1&a7from=&a7to=&a7date=03.09.2015&a8=933&a8type=1&a1=&a0=&a16=&a16type=1&a16value=&a17=&a17type=1&a17value=&a4=&a4type=1&a4value=&a23=&a23type=1&a23value=&textpres=&sort=7&x=54&y=18 |url-status=bot: unknown }} The initial contract is concluded for 3 years period. Military personnel of mobilization human reserve (reservists) perform part-time duties in military units.{{cite news|last=Vorobyeva|first=Olga|date=8 October 2017|title=Под ружьё по первому зову|language=ru|work=Krasnaya Zvezda|url=http://archive.redstar.ru/index.php/component/k2/item/34669-pod-ruzhjo-po-pervomu-zovu|access-date=14 March 2020|archive-date=22 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122192658/http://archive.redstar.ru/index.php/component/k2/item/34669-pod-ruzhjo-po-pervomu-zovu|url-status=live}} Reservists are appointed to a military position in particular military units and are involved in all operational, mobilization, and combat activities of these military units. As a rule, in peacetime time reservists perform their duties 2–3 days per month and during an annual military camp training of 20 to 30 days.{{cite news|last1=Stepovoy|first1=Bogdan|last2=Ramm|first2=Alexey|last3=Andreev|first3=Yevgeniy|date=13 February 2018|title=В резерв по контракту|language=ru|work=Izvestia|url=https://iz.ru/706732/bogdan-stepovoi-aleksei-ramm-evgenii-andreev/v-rezerv-po-kontraktu|access-date=14 March 2020|archive-date=13 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180213095314/https://iz.ru/706732/bogdan-stepovoi-aleksei-ramm-evgenii-andreev/v-rezerv-po-kontraktu|url-status=live}}

The exact number of reservists is unknown because a relevant paragraph of the Presidential Decree{{cite act|type=Decree|index=370|date=17 July 2015|legislature=President of Russia|title=О создании мобилизационного людского резерва Вооружённых Сил Российской Федерации|language=ru|url=http://pravo.gov.ru/proxy/ips/?searchres=&bpas=cd00000&a3=102000503&a3type=1&a3value=&a6=102000070&a6type=1&a6value=&a15=&a15type=1&a15value=&a7type=1&a7from=&a7to=&a7date=17.07.2015&a8=370&a8type=1&a1=&a0=&a16=&a16type=1&a16value=&a17=&a17type=1&a17value=&a4=&a4type=1&a4value=&a23=&a23type=1&a23value=&textpres=&sort=7&x=70&y=5}} {{Cite web |url=http://pravo.gov.ru/proxy/ips/?searchres=&bpas=cd00000&a3=102000503&a3type=1&a3value=&a6=102000070&a6type=1&a6value=&a15=&a15type=1&a15value=&a7type=1&a7from=&a7to=&a7date=17.07.2015&a8=370&a8type=1&a1=&a0=&a16=&a16type=1&a16value=&a17=&a17type=1&a17value=&a4=&a4type=1&a4value=&a23=&a23type=1&a23value=&textpres=&sort=7&x=70&y=5 |title=Законодательство России. Поиск: Указ Президент Дата принятия 17.07.2015 Номер начинается на |access-date=26 April 2024 |archive-date=17 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917124525/http://pravo.gov.ru/proxy/ips/?searchres=&bpas=cd00000&a3=102000503&a3type=1&a3value=&a6=102000070&a6type=1&a6value=&a15=&a15type=1&a15value=&a7type=1&a7from=&a7to=&a7date=17.07.2015&a8=370&a8type=1&a1=&a0=&a16=&a16type=1&a16value=&a17=&a17type=1&a17value=&a4=&a4type=1&a4value=&a23=&a23type=1&a23value=&textpres=&sort=7&x=70&y=5 |url-status=bot: unknown }} which determines the number of reserve troops is classified. The military units manned by reservists are determined by General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, and this information is classified too.

The persons who are in mobilization human resource (non-reservists) may be enlisted to military camp trainings in peacetime. The duration of each training can not exceed 2 months, herewith the total duration of such trainings for the entire period of being in mobilization human resource can not exceed 12 months, and a person may be enlisted in such training no more than once every three years.{{cite news|author=|date=20 November 2019|title=Как оплачивается период нахождения на военных сборах?|language=ru|work=Argumenty i Fakty|url=https://aif.ru/society/army/kak_oplachivaetsya_period_nahozhdeniya_na_voennyh_sborah|access-date=14 March 2020|archive-date=25 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191125062209/https://aif.ru/society/army/kak_oplachivaetsya_period_nahozhdeniya_na_voennyh_sborah|url-status=live}}

As of 2009, the number of citizens who can be used for mobilization deployment on an involuntary basis in the case of wartime mobilization was estimated at 31 million.{{cite book|last=Chuprin|first=Konstantin|date=2009|title=Вооружённые силы стран СНГ и Балтии. Справочник|language=ru|trans-title=Armed forces of CIS countries and Baltic states. Handbook|editor-last1=Taras|editor-first1=Anatoliy|location=Moscow|publisher=Современная школа|isbn=978-985-513-617-1}}

Reservists are subject to mobilization in wartime first of all. Non-reservists are subject to mobilization secondarily. The mobilization of non-reservists is carried out by taking into account the age category under the article 53 of Federal Law of 28 March 1998, No.53-FZ "About military duty and military service": in order from first category to third category.{{cite news|last=Gavrilov|first=Yuriy|date=4 April 2014|title=Военным добавили пять лет|language=ru|work=Rossiyskaya Gazeta|url=https://rg.ru/2014/04/02/vozrast-site-anons.html|access-date=14 March 2020|archive-date=31 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331152140/https://rg.ru/2014/04/02/vozrast-site-anons.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|author=|date=4 April 2014|title=Федеральный закон от 2 апреля 2014 года №64-ФЗ "О внесении изменений в статьи 49 и 53 Федерального закона "О воинской обязанности и военной службе""|language=ru|work=Rossiyskaya Gazeta|url=https://rg.ru/2014/04/04/armiya-dok.html|access-date=14 March 2020|archive-date=7 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807181705/https://rg.ru/2014/04/04/armiya-dok.html|url-status=live}}

The first category includes: 1) the persons at the any military rank below that of a commissioned officer (enlisted personnel) and not reached the age of 35 years old; 2) the persons at the any rank from junior lieutenant to captain (captain-lieutenant in naval service) inclusively (junior commissioned officers) and not reached the age of 50 years old; 3) the persons at the any rank from major (captain 3rd rank in naval service) to lieutenant colonel (captain 2nd rank in naval service) inclusively and not reached the age of 55 years old; 4) the persons at the rank of colonel (captain 1st rank in naval service) and not reached the age of 60 years old; 5) the persons at the rank of major general (counter admiral in naval service) or higher (supreme officers) and not reached the age of 65 years old.

The second category includes: 1) enlisted personnel in age from 35 but less than 45; 2) junior commissioned officers in the age from 50 but less than 55; 3) commissioned officers at the any rank from major (captain 3rd rank in naval service) to lieutenant colonel (captain 2nd rank in naval service) inclusively in the age from 55 but less than 60; 4) commissioned officers at the rank of colonel (captain 1st rank in naval service) in the age from 60 but less than 65; 5) supreme officers in age from 65 but less than 70.

The third category includes: 1) enlisted personnel in the age from 45 but less than 50; 2) junior commissioned officers in the age from 55 but less than 60; 3) commissioned officers at the any rank from major (captain 3rd rank in naval service) to lieutenant colonel (captain 2nd rank in naval service) inclusively in the age from 60 but less than 65; 4) all females in the age less than 45 for enlisted personnel and less than 50 for commissioned officers. The person who has reached the age limit, established for the third category (the second category for persons at the rank of colonel (captain 1st rank in naval service) or higher), is retired and is not subject to mobilization.

The reserve officer training system, inherited from the Soviet Union, involved selective conscription of graduates of civilian institutions of higher education, who have graduated the military departments of their almae matres and received a commission as an officer. Such person could be conscripted from the reserve of armed forces to active duty, up until the age of 27. The period of active duty of such an officer was several years, and at the end of that period he was due to be enlisted in the reserve of armed forces again. Such officers were called "blazers" in the army's slang (for example, Anatoly Kvashnin was a "blazer").{{cite book|last=Troshev|first=Gennady|author-link=Gennady Troshev|date=2001|title=Моя война. Чеченский дневник окопного генерала|trans-title=My war. Chechen diary of trench general|language=ru|location=Moscow|publisher=Вагриус|isbn=5-264-00657-1}}

In 2005, Minister of Defence Sergei Ivanov announced a significant reduction in the number of military departments carrying out the training commissioned officers from students of civilian institutions of higher education.{{cite news|last=Karamayev|first=Sergey|date=1 July 2005|title=Чем меньше кафедр — тем крепче оборона. Министерство обороны хочет закрыть военные кафедры в российских вузах|language=ru|work=Lenta.ru|url=https://lenta.ru/articles/2005/06/30/genshtab/|access-date=11 September 2021|archive-date=20 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220230624/https://lenta.ru/articles/2005/06/30/genshtab/|url-status=live}} By March 2008, 168 of 235 civilian universities, academies and institutions which previously had military departments had lost these units.{{cite news|author=|date=11 March 2008|title=Названы вузы, в которых создадут военные центры|language=ru|work=RBK|url=https://www.rbc.ru/society/11/03/2008/5703cb909a79470eaf769a1c|access-date=11 September 2021|archive-date=28 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228181139/https://www.rbc.ru/society/11/03/2008/5703cb909a79470eaf769a1c|url-status=live}} 37 of 67 civilian universities, academies and institutions which retained military departments became the basis for the establishment of new military training centers. The military training centers focused on training officers for active duty, whilst the military departments focused on training officers for the reserve.{{cite act|type=Decree|index=152|date=6 March 2008|legislature=Government of Russia|title=Об обучении граждан Российской Федерации по программе военной подготовки в федеральных государственных образовательных организациях высшего образования|language=ru|url=http://www.pravo.gov.ru/proxy/ips/?searchres=&bpas=cd00000&a3=102000496&a3type=1&a3value=&a6=102000066&a6type=1&a6value=&a15=&a15type=1&a15value=&a7type=1&a7from=&a7to=&a7date=06.03.2008&a8=152&a8type=1&a1=&a0=&a16=&a16type=1&a16value=&a17=&a17type=1&a17value=&a4=&a4type=1&a4value=&a23=&a23type=1&a23value=&textpres=&sort=7&x=72&y=20}} {{Cite web |url=http://www.pravo.gov.ru/proxy/ips/?searchres=&bpas=cd00000&a3=102000496&a3type=1&a3value=&a6=102000066&a6type=1&a6value=&a15=&a15type=1&a15value=&a7type=1&a7from=&a7to=&a7date=06.03.2008&a8=152&a8type=1&a1=&a0=&a16=&a16type=1&a16value=&a17=&a17type=1&a17value=&a4=&a4type=1&a4value=&a23=&a23type=1&a23value=&textpres=&sort=7&x=72&y=20 |title=Законодательство России. Поиск: Постановление Правительство Дата принятия 06.03.2008 Номер начинается на '152' |access-date=11 September 2021 |archive-date=6 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220506003905/http://www.pravo.gov.ru/proxy/ips/?searchres=&bpas=cd00000&a3=102000496&a3type=1&a3value=&a6=102000066&a6type=1&a6value=&a15=&a15type=1&a15value=&a7type=1&a7from=&a7to=&a7date=06.03.2008&a8=152&a8type=1&a1=&a0=&a16=&a16type=1&a16value=&a17=&a17type=1&a17value=&a4=&a4type=1&a4value=&a23=&a23type=1&a23value=&textpres=&sort=7&x=72&y=20 |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |url=http://www.pravo.gov.ru/proxy/ips/?searchres=&bpas=cd00000&a3=102000496&a3type=1&a3value=&a6=102000066&a6type=1&a6value=&a15=&a15type=1&a15value=&a7type=1&a7from=&a7to=&a7date=06.03.2008&a8=152&a8type=1&a1=&a0=&a16=&a16type=1&a16value=&a17=&a17type=1&a17value=&a4=&a4type=1&a4value=&a23=&a23type=1&a23value=&textpres=&sort=7&x=72&y=20 |title=Законодательство России. Поиск: Постановление Правительство Дата принятия 06.03.2008 Номер начинается на '152' |access-date=11 September 2021 |archive-date=6 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220506003905/http://www.pravo.gov.ru/proxy/ips/?searchres=&bpas=cd00000&a3=102000496&a3type=1&a3value=&a6=102000066&a6type=1&a6value=&a15=&a15type=1&a15value=&a7type=1&a7from=&a7to=&a7date=6 |url-status=dead }}

In 2006 the conscription of reserve officers was abolished. Graduates of military departments were not subject to conscription to active duty anymore (with the exception of a wartime mobilization). All graduates of military training centers were due to be enrolled for 3 years active duty upon their university graduation.{{cite act|type=Federal Law|index=104-FZ|date=6 July 2006|legislature=State Duma|title=О внесении изменений в отдельные законодательные акты Российской Федерации в связи с сокращением срока военной службы по призыву|language=ru|url=http://www.pravo.gov.ru/proxy/ips/?searchres=&bpas=cd00000&a3=102000505&a3type=1&a3value=&a6=&a6type=1&a6value=&a15=&a15type=1&a15value=&a7type=1&a7from=&a7to=&a7date=06.07.2006&a8=104-%D4%C7&a8type=1&a1=&a0=&a16=&a16type=1&a16value=&a17=&a17type=1&a17value=&a4=&a4type=1&a4value=&a23=&a23type=1&a23value=&textpres=&sort=7&x=46&y=19}} {{Cite web |url=http://www.pravo.gov.ru/proxy/ips/?searchres=&bpas=cd00000&a3=102000505&a3type=1&a3value=&a6=&a6type=1&a6value=&a15=&a15type=1&a15value=&a7type=1&a7from=&a7to=&a7date=06.07.2006&a8=104-%D4%C7&a8type=1&a1=&a0=&a16=&a16type=1&a16value=&a17=&a17type=1&a17value=&a4=&a4type=1&a4value=&a23=&a23type=1&a23value=&textpres=&sort=7&x=46&y=19 |title=Законодательство России. Поиск: Федеральный закон Дата принятия 06.07.2006 Номер начинается |access-date=11 September 2021 |archive-date=6 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220506003909/http://www.pravo.gov.ru/proxy/ips/?searchres=&bpas=cd00000&a3=102000505&a3type=1&a3value=&a6=&a6type=1&a6value=&a15=&a15type=1&a15value=&a7type=1&a7from=&a7to=&a7date=06.07.2006&a8=104-%D4%C7&a8type=1&a1=&a0=&a16=&a16type=1&a16value=&a17=&a17type=1&a17value=&a4=&a4type=1&a4value=&a23=&a23type=1&a23value=&textpres=&sort=7&x=46&y=19 |url-status=bot: unknown }}{{Cite web |url=http://www.pravo.gov.ru/proxy/ips/?searchres=&bpas=cd00000&a3=102000505&a3type=1&a3value=&a6=&a6type=1&a6value=&a15=&a15type=1&a15value=&a7type=1&a7from=&a7to=&a7date=06.07.2006&a8=104-%D4%C7&a8type=1&a1=&a0=&a16=&a16type=1&a16value=&a17=&a17type=1&a17value=&a4=&a4type=1&a4value=&a23=&a23type=1&a23value=&textpres=&sort=7&x=46&y=19 |title=Законодательство России. Поиск: Федеральный закон Дата принятия 06.07.2006 Номер начинается |access-date=11 September 2021 |archive-date=6 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220506003909/http://www.pravo.gov.ru/proxy/ips/?searchres=&bpas=cd00000&a3=102000505&a3type=1&a3value=&a6=&a6type=1&a6value=&a15=&a15type=1&a15value=&a7type=1&a7from=&a7to=&a7date=6 |url-status=dead }}

In 2018, Russia started a full-scale formation of a military reserve force based upon volunteers selected from among those who retired from active duty. The Russian military reserve force ({{langx|ru|мобилизационный людской резерв}}) is a set of citizens who have signed a contract to perform military service as a reservist. They are appointed to a military position in a particular military unit. They are involved in all operational, mobilization, and combat activities of these military units, unlike other citizens who haven't signed such contracts and who can be used for a mobilization deployment of armed forces on an involuntary basis only in cases stipulated by law ({{langx|ru|мобилизационный людской ресурс}}).{{cite web|last=Polunin|first=Sergey|date=25 December 2020|title=Положение о мобилизационном резерве Вооружённых Сил Российской Федерации и что это|language=ru|website=Militaryarms.ru|url=https://militaryarms.ru/sluzhba-v-armii/mobilizacionnyj-rezerv-vooruzhennyx-sil-rossijskoj-federacii/|access-date=11 September 2021|archive-date=28 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228221059/https://militaryarms.ru/sluzhba-v-armii/mobilizacionnyj-rezerv-vooruzhennyx-sil-rossijskoj-federacii/|url-status=live}}

The deployment of military units composed of reservists, takes minimum time and does not requires any retraining of military personnel. The military units composed of reservists use the same weapons as used by military units, composed of active duty military personnel. Military units staffed by reservists are 100% manned up to wartime standards just like military units staffed by active duty military personnel only. There is no possibility to define by military units designation what we're dealing with - reserve or not reserve military unit. The number of reservists is not presented in open sources and is not among the number of active duty military volunteers which is published by Ministry of Defence. This makes it difficult for establish real troop strength of new Russian military units and formations.

File:Мацква.ру, репортаж с Парада Победы 2023 на Красной площади, фото 7.jpg

In 2018 the military departments and the military training centers were abolished.{{cite act|type=Federal Law|index=309-FZ|date=3 August 2018|legislature=State Duma|title=О внесении изменений в отдельные законодательные акты Российской Федерации в части совершенствования военной подготовки студентов федеральных государственных образовательных организаций высшего образования|language=ru|url=http://www.pravo.gov.ru/proxy/ips/?searchres=&bpas=cd00000&a3=102000505&a3type=1&a3value=&a6=&a6type=1&a6value=&a15=&a15type=1&a15value=&a7type=1&a7from=&a7to=&a7date=03.08.2018&a8=309-%D4%C7&a8type=1&a1=&a0=&a16=&a16type=1&a16value=&a17=&a17type=1&a17value=&a4=&a4type=1&a4value=&a23=&a23type=1&a23value=&textpres=&sort=7&x=60&y=17}} {{Cite web |url=http://www.pravo.gov.ru/proxy/ips/?searchres=&bpas=cd00000&a3=102000505&a3type=1&a3value=&a6=&a6type=1&a6value=&a15=&a15type=1&a15value=&a7type=1&a7from=&a7to=&a7date=03.08.2018&a8=309-%D4%C7&a8type=1&a1=&a0=&a16=&a16type=1&a16value=&a17=&a17type=1&a17value=&a4=&a4type=1&a4value=&a23=&a23type=1&a23value=&textpres=&sort=7&x=60&y=17 |title=Законодательство России. Поиск: Федеральный закон Дата принятия 03.08.2018 Номер начинается |access-date=26 April 2024 |archive-date=11 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210911130516/http://www.pravo.gov.ru/proxy/ips/?searchres=&bpas=cd00000&a3=102000505&a3type=1&a3value=&a6=&a6type=1&a6value=&a15=&a15type=1&a15value=&a7type=1&a7from=&a7to=&a7date=03.08.2018&a8=309-%D4%C7&a8type=1&a1=&a0=&a16=&a16type=1&a16value=&a17=&a17type=1&a17value=&a4=&a4type=1&a4value=&a23=&a23type=1&a23value=&textpres=&sort=7&x=60&y=17 |url-status=bot: unknown }} From that moment on, students of civilian institutions of higher education were trained under both officers training programmes (for reserve and for active duty) in the Military Training Centers.{{cite act|type=Decree|index=848|date=3 July 2019|legislature=Government of Russia|title=Об утверждении Положения о военных учебных центрах при федеральных государственных образовательных организациях высшего образования и о признании утратившими силу некоторых актов Правительства Российской Федерации|language=ru|url=http://www.pravo.gov.ru/proxy/ips/?searchres=&bpas=cd00000&a3=102000496&a3type=1&a3value=&a6=102000066&a6type=1&a6value=&a15=&a15type=1&a15value=&a7type=1&a7from=&a7to=&a7date=03.07.2019&a8=848&a8type=1&a1=&a0=&a16=&a16type=1&a16value=&a17=&a17type=1&a17value=&a4=&a4type=1&a4value=&a23=&a23type=1&a23value=&textpres=&sort=7&x=75&y=12}} {{Cite web |url=http://www.pravo.gov.ru/proxy/ips/?searchres=&bpas=cd00000&a3=102000496&a3type=1&a3value=&a6=102000066&a6type=1&a6value=&a15=&a15type=1&a15value=&a7type=1&a7from=&a7to=&a7date=03.07.2019&a8=848&a8type=1&a1=&a0=&a16=&a16type=1&a16value=&a17=&a17type=1&a17value=&a4=&a4type=1&a4value=&a23=&a23type=1&a23value=&textpres=&sort=7&x=75&y=12 |title=Законодательство России. Поиск: Постановление Правительство Дата принятия 03.07.2019 Номер н |access-date=26 April 2024 |archive-date=11 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210911130520/http://www.pravo.gov.ru/proxy/ips/?searchres=&bpas=cd00000&a3=102000496&a3type=1&a3value=&a6=102000066&a6type=1&a6value=&a15=&a15type=1&a15value=&a7type=1&a7from=&a7to=&a7date=03.07.2019&a8=848&a8type=1&a1=&a0=&a16=&a16type=1&a16value=&a17=&a17type=1&a17value=&a4=&a4type=1&a4value=&a23=&a23type=1&a23value=&textpres=&sort=7&x=75&y=12 |url-status=bot: unknown }} In 2019, there were training military centers in 93 civilian institutions of higher education.{{cite act|type=Order|index=427-R|date=13 March 2019|legislature=Government of Russia|language=ru|url=http://www.pravo.gov.ru/proxy/ips/?searchres=&bpas=cd00000&a3=102000499&a3type=1&a3value=&a6=102000066&a6type=1&a6value=&a15=&a15type=1&a15value=&a7type=1&a7from=&a7to=&a7date=13.03.2019&a8=427-%F0&a8type=1&a1=&a0=&a16=&a16type=1&a16value=&a17=&a17type=1&a17value=&a4=&a4type=1&a4value=&a23=&a23type=1&a23value=&textpres=&sort=7&x=50&y=24}} {{Cite web |url=http://www.pravo.gov.ru/proxy/ips/?searchres=&bpas=cd00000&a3=102000499&a3type=1&a3value=&a6=102000066&a6type=1&a6value=&a15=&a15type=1&a15value=&a7type=1&a7from=&a7to=&a7date=13.03.2019&a8=427-%F0&a8type=1&a1=&a0=&a16=&a16type=1&a16value=&a17=&a17type=1&a17value=&a4=&a4type=1&a4value=&a23=&a23type=1&a23value=&textpres=&sort=7&x=50&y=24 |title=Законодательство России. Поиск: Распоряжение Правительство Дата принятия 13.03.2019 Номер на |access-date=26 April 2024 |archive-date=11 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210911130516/http://www.pravo.gov.ru/proxy/ips/?searchres=&bpas=cd00000&a3=102000499&a3type=1&a3value=&a6=102000066&a6type=1&a6value=&a15=&a15type=1&a15value=&a7type=1&a7from=&a7to=&a7date=13.03.2019&a8=427-%F0&a8type=1&a1=&a0=&a16=&a16type=1&a16value=&a17=&a17type=1&a17value=&a4=&a4type=1&a4value=&a23=&a23type=1&a23value=&textpres=&sort=7&x=50&y=24 |url-status=bot: unknown }}{{cite news|last=Gavrilov|first=Yuriy|date=15 March 2019|title=Лейтенант из института. Определены вузы для военной подготовки студентов|language=ru|work=Rossiyskaya Gazeta|url=https://rg.ru/2019/03/15/voennye-uchebnye-centry-sozdadut-v-93-vuzah-strany.html|access-date=11 September 2021|archive-date=11 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210911130514/https://rg.ru/2019/03/15/voennye-uchebnye-centry-sozdadut-v-93-vuzah-strany.html|url-status=live}}

The first mobilization of citizens being in mobilization human resource, conducted on a compulsory basis, in the Russian Federation's history was announced by Presidential Decree of 21 September 2022 No.647 during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.{{cite news|last1=McCarthy|first1=Simone|last2=Picheta|first2=Rob|date=21 September 2022|title=Russia announces immediate 'partial mobilization' of citizens, escalating its invasion of Ukraine|language=en|magazine=CNN|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2022/09/21/europe/ukraine-russian-referendums-intl-hnk/index.html|access-date=21 September 2022|archive-date=21 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220921124520/https://edition.cnn.com/2022/09/21/europe/ukraine-russian-referendums-intl-hnk/index.html|url-status=live}}

{{See also|Military budget of the Russian Federation|List of countries in Europe by military expenditures}}

File:Soviet and Russian military expenditures in constant 2015 dollars (SIPRI figures).png and Russian military expenditures in billions of 2015 US dollars]]

File:National Defense Management Center.jpg]]

File:Национальный центр управления обороной Российской Федерации (зал управления и взаимодействия) 1.jpeg]]

Between 1991 and 1997 newly independent Russia's defence spending fell by a factor of eight in real prices.{{cite book |title=The Armed Forces of Russia in Asia |last=Austin |first=Greg |author2=Alexey Muraviev |year=2000 |publisher=I.B. Tauris |location=London, New York |isbn=1-86064-485-6 |page=155}} In 1998, when Russia experienced a severe financial crisis, its military expenditure in real terms reached its lowest point—barely one-quarter of the USSR's in 1991, and two-fifths of the level of 1992, the first year of Russia's independent existence.

In the early 2000s, defence spending increased by at least a minimum of one-third year-on-year, leading to overall defence expenditure almost quadrupling over the past six years, and according to Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin, this rate is to be sustained through 2010.FBIS: Informatsionno-Analiticheskoye Agentstvo Marketing i Konsalting, 14 March 2006, "Russia: Assessment, Adm Baltin Interview, Opinion Poll on State of Armed Forces". Official government military spending for 2005 was US$32.4 billion, though various sources, have estimated Russia's military expenditures to be considerably higher than the reported amount.International Institute for Strategic Studies, The Military Balance, previous editions

Estimating Russian military expenditure is beset with difficulty; the annual IISS Military Balance has underscored the problem numerous times within its section on Russia. The IISS Military Balance comments, "By simple observation ... [the military budget] would appear to be lower than is suggested by the size of the armed forces or the structure of the military–industrial complex, and thus neither of the figures is particularly useful for comparative analysis."International Institute for Strategic Studies, The Military Balance 2006, Routledge, p.153 By some estimates, overall Russian defence expenditure is now at the second highest in the world after the USA.Keir Giles, Military Service in Russia: No New Model Army, Conflict Studies Research Centre, May 2007 According to Alexander Kanshin, Chairman of the Public Chamber of Russia on affairs of veterans, military personnel, and their families, the Russian military is losing up to US$13 billion to corruption every year.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/russian/russia/newsid_7488000/7488652.stm|script-title=ru:Коррупция 'забирает треть военного бюджета России'|trans-title=Corruption 'takes away a third of Russia's military budget'|language=ru|publisher=BBC|date=3 July 2008|access-date=14 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203044155/http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/russian/russia/newsid_7488000/7488652.stm|archive-date=3 February 2017|url-status=live}}

On 16 September 2008 Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin announced that in 2009, Russia's defence budget would be increased to a record amount of $50 billion.{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2008-09-19-Russia-defense_N.htm|title=Russian defense budget may rise 25% in 2009|newspaper=USA Today|agency=Associated Press|date=19 September 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080920152448/http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2008-09-19-Russia-defense_N.htm|archive-date=20 September 2008}}{{cite news|url=http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=115073|title=Russia boosts defense budget to record $50 Billion|work=Turkish Daily News|date=12 September 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080919062809/http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=115073|archive-date=19 September 2008}}

On 16 February 2009 Russia's deputy defence minister said state defence contracts would not be subject to cuts this year despite the ongoing financial crisis, and that there would be no decrease in 2009.{{cite web|url=http://www.cnguy.com/financial/news/2009/02/17/4361/defense-procurement-budget-of-russia.html|title=Defense procurement budget|publisher=cnguy.com|date=17 February 2009}}{{dead link|date=April 2017}}{{cbignore}} The budget would still be 1.376 trillion rubles and in the current exchange rates this would amount to $41.5 billion.

Later in February 2009, due to the world financial crisis, the Russian Parliament's Defence Committee stated that the Russian defence budget would instead be slashed by 15 percent, from $40 billion to $34 billion, with further cuts to come.Leander Schaerlaeckens, [http://www.upi.com/Security_Industry/2009/02/23/Russian-budget-cuts-could-impact-EU-defense-market/UPI-79231235426701/2/ "Russian budget cuts could impact EU defense market"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090504093654/http://www.upi.com/Security_Industry/2009/02/23/Russian-budget-cuts-could-impact-EU-defense-market/UPI-79231235426701/2 |date=4 May 2009}}, UPI (23 February 2009). On 5 May 2009, First Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov said that the defence budget for 2009 will be 1.3 trillion rubles (US$39.4 billion). 322 billion rubles are allocated to purchase weapons, and the rest of the fund will be spent on construction, fuel storage and food supply.

According to the head of the Defence Committee of the State Duma Vladimir Komoyedov, Russia planned to spend 101.15 billion rubles on nuclear weapons in 2013–2015. "The budget provisions under 'The Nuclear Weapons Complex' section in 2013-2015 will amount to 29.28 billion rubles, 33.3 billion rubles and 38.57 billion rubles respectively," Komoyedov said, Vechernaya Moskva reports.

Komoyedov added that in 2012 the spending on nuclear weapons made up 27.4 billion rubles. The draft law "On the Federal Budget for 2013 and for the planning period of 2014 and 2015" will be discussed in the first reading on 19 October 2012, The Voice of Russia reports.{{cite web|url=http://english.pravda.ru/news/russia/18-10-2012/122499-russia_nuclear_weapons-0/|title=Russia to spend over 100 billion on nuclear weapons|publisher=English.pravda.ru|date=18 October 2012|access-date=23 March 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018171153/http://english.pravda.ru/news/russia/18-10-2012/122499-russia_nuclear_weapons-0/|archive-date=18 October 2012}}

File:2018 Military Expenditures by Country.png

The Russian government's published 2014 military budget is about 2.49 trillion rubles (approximately US$69.3 billion), the fourth largest in the world behind the US, China and Saudi Arabia. The official budget is set to rise to 3.03 trillion rubles (approximately US$83.7 billion) in 2015, and 3.36 trillion rubles (approximately US$93.9 billion) in 2016.{{cite news|title=Russia to Up Nuclear Weapons Spending 50% by 2016|url=http://en.ria.ru/military_news/20131008/184004336/Russia-to-Up-Nuclear-Weapons-Spending-50-by-2016.html|publisher=RIA Novosti|date=8 October 2013|access-date=1 March 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131008122507/http://en.ria.ru/military_news/20131008/184004336/Russia-to-Up-Nuclear-Weapons-Spending-50-by-2016.html|archive-date=8 October 2013}} As of 2014, Russia's military budget is higher than any other European nation, and approximately 1/7th (14 percent) of the US military budget.

In 2015, SIPRI found that Russia was the world's second biggest exporter of major weapons for the period 2010–14, increasing exports by 37 per cent. India, China and Algeria accounted for almost 60 percent of total Russian exports. Asia and Oceania received 66 percent of Russian arms exports in 2010–14, Africa 12 percent and the Middle East 10 percent.

In 2017, Russia was reported to have slashed its defense spending by 20%, due to calls by Vladimir Putin to spend money on other initiatives such as healthcare and education. The cut decreased Russia's military spending to $66.3 billion, in which Russia slumped to being the fourth-highest military spender.{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-military-spending/russian-military-spending-falls-could-affect-operations-think-tank-idUSKBN1I24H8 |title=Russian military spending falls, could affect operations: Think-tank |newspaper=Reuters |date=2 May 2018 |access-date=22 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722095651/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-military-spending/russian-military-spending-falls-could-affect-operations-think-tank-idUSKBN1I24H8 |archive-date=22 July 2018 |url-status=live }} Russia's 2019 defense budget was US$48 billion and the 2020 figure was $61.7 billion.{{Cite web|url=https://www.defenseworld.net/|title=Defense World|access-date=17 May 2022|archive-date=12 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712081747/https://www.defenseworld.net/?utm_source=404Redirect&utm_medium=404Redirect|url-status=live}}

However, due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, the Russian government has dramatically increased military spending to over 85+ billion dollars, returning to third position as the highest military spender in the world. The increase in military spending was needed to recoup losses in the war and reorientate Russia into a war economy. On 5 October 2023, Vladimir Putin stated that Russia's spending on defense and security now equals to 6% of its GDP.{{Cite web |url=https://armstrade.org/includes/periodics/news/2023/1006/095075683/detail.shtml |title=ЦАМТО / / Владимир Путин: расходы на оборону и безопасность возросли вдвое и составляют сейчас около 6% ВВП |access-date=7 October 2023 |archive-date=7 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007050208/https://armstrade.org/includes/periodics/news/2023/1006/095075683/detail.shtml |url-status=live }}

{{See also|Arms industry of Russia|List of countries by military expenditures}}

File:Sukhoi Design Bureau, 054, Sukhoi Su-57 (49581303977).jpg is one of the latest procurement projects of the Russian Armed Forces.]]

About 70 percent of the former Soviet Union's defence industries are located in the Russian Federation.[https://fas.org/nuke/guide/russia/industry/docs/rus95/rdbd4ch2.htm CHAPTER 2 - INVESTING IN RUSSIAN DEFENSE CONVERSION: OBSTACLES AND OPPORTUNITIES] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222090529/http://fas.org/nuke/guide/russia/industry/docs/rus95/rdbd4ch2.htm |date=22 December 2015}} Federation of American Scientists, fas.org Many defence firms have been privatised; some have developed significant partnerships with firms in other countries.

The recent steps towards modernization of the Armed Forces have been made possible by Russia's economic resurgence based on oil and gas revenues as well a strengthening of its own domestic market. Currently{{when|date=May 2022}} the military is in the middle of a major equipment upgrade, with the government in the process of spending about $200 billion (what equals to about $400 billion in PPP dollars) on development and production of military equipment between 2006 and 2015 under the State Armament Programme for 2007–2015 (GPV – госпрограмма вооружения).{{cite news|last1=Harding|first1=Luke|author-link1=Luke Harding|last2=Traynor|first2=Ian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/russia/article/0,,2009339,00.html|title=Big rise in Russian military spending raises fears of new challenge to west|newspaper=The Guardian|date=8 February 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016123444/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2007/feb/09/russia.usa|archive-date=16 October 2013}}

Mainly as a result of lessons learned during the Russo-Georgian War, the State Armament Programme for 2011–2020 was launched in December 2010. Prime Minister Putin announced that 20–21.5 trillion rubles (over $650 billion) will be allocated to purchase new hardware in the next 10 years. The aim is to have a growth of 30% of modern equipment in the army, navy and air force by 2015, and of 70% by 2020.{{cite web|url=https://www.rbth.com/defence/2016/01/13/whats-new-with-the-russian-army_559053|title=What's new with the Russian army?|first=Tatyana|last=Rusakova|date=13 January 2016|publisher=RBTH|access-date=30 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011204743/https://www.rbth.com/defence/2016/01/13/whats-new-with-the-russian-army_559053|archive-date=11 October 2017|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.rbth.com/science_and_tech/2013/09/04/ballerinas_puppets_inspire_names_of_russian_arms_29493.html|title=Ballerinas, puppets inspire names of Russian arms|date=4 September 2013|publisher=RBTH|access-date=30 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011204749/https://www.rbth.com/science_and_tech/2013/09/04/ballerinas_puppets_inspire_names_of_russian_arms_29493.html|archive-date=11 October 2017|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.rbth.com/defence/2016/09/14/army-2016-forum-top-8-newest-russian-weapons_629785|title=Army 2016 forum: Top 8 newest Russian weapons|first=Nikolai|last=Litovkin|newspaper=Russia Beyond |date=14 September 2016|publisher=RBTH|access-date=3 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011204754/https://www.rbth.com/defence/2016/09/14/army-2016-forum-top-8-newest-russian-weapons_629785|archive-date=11 October 2017|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.rbth.com/defence/2017/07/12/a-farewell-to-traditional-arms-russia-develops-weapons-for-the-future_801080|title=A farewell to traditional arms: Russia develops weapons for the future|first=Boris|last=Egorov|date=12 July 2017|publisher=RBTH|access-date=3 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909012944/https://www.rbth.com/defence/2017/07/12/a-farewell-to-traditional-arms-russia-develops-weapons-for-the-future_801080|archive-date=9 September 2017|url-status=live}} In some categories, the proportion of new weapon systems will reach 80% or even 100%.Moscow Defence Brief #1, 2011

As of 2011, Russia's chief military prosecutor said that 20 percent of the defence budget was being stolen or defrauded yearly.{{cite news|last=Faulconbridge|first=Guy |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-defence-idUSTRE74N1YX20110524|title=Russia says a fifth of defense budget stolen|work=Reuters|date=24 May 2011|access-date=13 April 2017 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170414081912/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-defence-idUSTRE74N1YX20110524|archive-date=14 April 2017}} It is suspected that equipment is not properly maintained due to the resulting lack of funds, which may have contributed to equipment failures observed during the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.{{Cite magazine |date=11 March 2022 |title=The Russian Military's Debacle in Ukraine |url=https://www.newyorker.com/news/q-and-a/the-russian-militarys-debacle-in-ukraine |magazine=The New Yorker |language=en-US |access-date=15 March 2022 |archive-date=23 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220323052142/https://www.newyorker.com/news/q-and-a/the-russian-militarys-debacle-in-ukraine |url-status=live }}

In 2018, RF Armed Forces adopted 35 types of weapons and military equipment and completed state tests of 21 more.{{cite web |url=https://ria.ru/20181215/1548036739.html |title=Вооруженные Силы в 2018 году приняли на вооружение 56 видов новой техники |publisher=RIA Novosti |date=15 December 2018 |access-date=9 June 2020 |archive-date=17 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217160026/https://ria.ru/20181215/1548036739.html |url-status=live }} The Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) was procured the YeSU TZ (Yedinaya Sistema Upravleniya Takticheskogo Zvena) battlefield management system that same year. The YeSU TZ battlefield management system incorporates 11 subsystems that control artillery, electronic warfare systems, ground vehicles, air defence assets, engineering equipment, and logistics support, among other things.{{cite web|url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news|title=Janes | Latest defence and security news|website=Janes.com|access-date=9 June 2020|archive-date=6 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200906153101/https://www.janes.com/defence-news/|url-status=live}}

Twelve missile regiments have been rearmed with Yars ICBMs, 10 missile brigades with Iskander tactical ballistic missile systems, 13 aviation regiments with MiG-31BM, Su-35S, Su-30SM, and Su-34 combat aircraft, three army aviation brigades and six helicopter regiments with Mi-28N and Ka-52 combat helicopters, 20 surface-to-air missile (SAM) regiments with S-400 Triumf SAM systems, 23 batteries with Pantsir-S self-propelled anti-aircraft gun-missile systems, and 17 batteries with Bal and Bastion mobile coastal defence missile systems [MCDMSs] since 2012 and as of March 2019.

In early 2023, there were reports that the Russian Defense Ministry purchased more than a thousand tablets with a domestic software for higher-ranking officials and also begun receiving a new line of gliding bombs with a range of tens of kilometers.{{Cite web|url=http://xn--b1aga5aadd.xn--p1ai/2023/%C8%EC%EF%EE%F0%F2%EE%E7%E0%EC%E5%F9%E5%ED%E8%E53/|title=СМИ: военные закупили планшеты с операционкой 'Аврора'|date=2 February 2023|website=Военное.РФ|access-date=25 May 2023|archive-date=29 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230529092504/https://xn--b1aga5aadd.xn--p1ai/2023/%C8%EC%EF%EE%F0%F2%EE%E7%E0%EC%E5%F9%E5%ED%E8%E53/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://xn--b1aga5aadd.xn--p1ai/2023/%C0%E2%E8%E0%F6%E8%FF5/|title=СМИ узнали о разработке линейки новых высокоточных авиабомб для ВКС России|date=14 March 2023|website=Военное.РФ|access-date=25 May 2023|archive-date=28 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231028174442/https://xn--b1aga5aadd.xn--p1ai/2023/%C0%E2%E8%E0%F6%E8%FF5/|url-status=live}}

The New York Times reported on 13 September 2023, citing US and European officials, that Russia overcomes the international sanctions and its missile production now exceeded pre-war levels. It was also reported that Russia now produces more ammunitions than the United States and Europe and it can manufacture 200 tanks and two million units of ammunition in a year.{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/13/us/politics/russia-sanctions-missile-production.html |title=Russia Overcomes Sanctions to Expand Missile Production, Officials Say |work=The New York Times |date=13 September 2023 |access-date=15 September 2023 |archive-date=16 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230916012959/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/13/us/politics/russia-sanctions-missile-production.html |url-status=live |last1=Barnes |first1=Julian E. |last2=Schmitt |first2=Eric |last3=Gibbons-Neff |first3=Thomas }} CNN also reported in September 2023 that Russia produces ammunition seven times cheaper and eight times faster than Europe.{{Cite web |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2023/09/17/europe/ukraine-shell-supplies-intl/index.html |title=Ukraine is firing shells faster than can be supplied. Can Europe catch up? |date=17 September 2023 |access-date=23 October 2023 |archive-date=10 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231010213629/https://edition.cnn.com/2023/09/17/europe/ukraine-shell-supplies-intl/index.html |url-status=live }}

In September 2023, various Russian regions launched the production of suicide drones at their own initiatives.{{Cite web |url=https://armstrade.org/includes/periodics/news/2023/0904/093575074/detail.shtml |title=ЦАМТО / / На Камчатке запустили производство дронов-камикадзе |access-date=25 September 2023 |archive-date=9 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009110317/https://armstrade.org/includes/periodics/news/2023/0904/093575074/detail.shtml |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://armstrade.org/includes/periodics/news/2023/0922/093575423/detail.shtml |title=ЦАМТО / / Хабаровский радиотехнический завод представил свои первые БЛА для СВО |access-date=25 September 2023 |archive-date=9 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009110320/https://armstrade.org/includes/periodics/news/2023/0922/093575423/detail.shtml |url-status=live }} Vladimir Putin also claimed that the production of main armored vehicles has increased by four times in comparison with the past year and the production of the especially important destruction means by three times.{{Cite web |url=https://armstrade.org/includes/periodics/news/2023/0920/094075365/detail.shtml |title=ЦАМТО / / Владимир Путин провел в Ижевске заседание Военно-промышленной комиссии |access-date=25 September 2023 |archive-date=9 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009110317/https://armstrade.org/includes/periodics/news/2023/0920/094075365/detail.shtml |url-status=live }}

According to the Russian Ministry of Defense,{{cite web | last=Новости | first=РИА | title=Поставки новой техники в армию в 2023 году составили 98,8 процента от плана | website=РИА Новости | date=2024-01-26 | url=https://ria.ru/20240126/tekhnika-1923645931.html | language=ru | access-date=2024-03-12 | archive-date=12 March 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240312170047/https://ria.ru/20240126/tekhnika-1923645931.html | url-status=live }} the Russian Armed Forces received in 2023 several hundreds of thousands of small arms, new and repaired weapon systems, military vehicles and equipment, artillery systems, air defense systems, missiles and bombs, aircraft and helicopters, drones, and also over a million individual armor protection and equipment means.{{cite web | last=Новости | first=РИА | title=ВМФ в 2023 году получил более 7,7 тысячи единиц средств поражения | website=РИА Новости | date=2024-01-26 | url=https://ria.ru/20240126/vmf-1923654510.html | language=ru | access-date=2024-03-12 | archive-date=12 March 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240312170048/https://ria.ru/20240126/vmf-1923654510.html | url-status=live }}{{cite web | last=Новости | first=РИА | title=Армия в 2023 году получила 3,5 тысячи отечественных беспилотников | website=РИА Новости | date=2024-01-26 | url=https://ria.ru/20240126/bespilotniki-1923651702.html | language=ru | access-date=2024-03-12 | archive-date=20 June 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240620052911/https://ria.ru/20240126/bespilotniki-1923651702.html | url-status=live }}{{cite web | last=Новости | first=РИА | title=Российские Сухопутные войска за год получили шесть комплектов систем ПВО | website=РИА Новости | date=2024-01-26 | url=https://ria.ru/20240126/pvo-1923657476.html | language=ru | access-date=2024-03-12 | archive-date=12 March 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240312170307/https://ria.ru/20240126/pvo-1923657476.html | url-status=live }} CNN reported on 11 March 2024 that Russia currently produces about 250,000 artillery shells a month or about 3 million a year which is nearly three times the quantity the US and Europe produce for Ukraine. CNN cited Western intelligence officials and also said that Russia imports ammunition from Iran and North Korea.{{cite web | last1=Lillis | first1=Katie Bo | last2=Bertrand | first2=Natasha | last3=Liebermann | first3=Oren | last4=Britzky | first4=Haley | title=CNN Politics | website=CNN | date=2024-03-11 | url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/03/10/politics/russia-artillery-shell-production-us-europe-ukraine/index.html | access-date=2024-03-12 | archive-date=16 March 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240316191503/https://edition.cnn.com/2024/03/10/politics/russia-artillery-shell-production-us-europe-ukraine/index.html | url-status=live }}

In April 2025, General Christopher Cavoli said before the US Senate Armed Services Committee that Russia is replacing its extensive battlefield losses of equipment and munitions at an "unprecedented rate" due to the expansion of industrial capabilities and the transition to a war economy. He also said that North Korea is providing Moscow with "millions" of artillery shells, missiles and weapons systems while Iran provided it with 400 short-range ballistic missiles, hundreds of thousands of artillery shells, thousands of kamikaze drones and the licenses and technology to produce thousands more of such drones inside Russia.{{cite web | title=UNITED STATES SENATE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE | url=https://www.armed-services.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/general_cavoli_opening_statements.pdf | ref={{sfnref|Anon.}} | access-date=2025-04-05}} Despite this, equipment shortages due to losses in Ukraine led to many reports in early 2025 about Russian soldiers using unconventional measures like donkeys, horses, and civilian cars for transport and assaults.{{cite web | last=Axe | first=David | title=After Losing 15,000 Vehicles, Some Russian Troops Are Riding Horses | website=Forbes | date=4 February 2025 | url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2025/02/04/after-losing-15000-vehicles-some-russian-troops-in-ukraine-are-riding-horses/ | access-date=8 April 2025}}{{cite web | last=Mirovalev | first=Mansur | title=Is Russia running out of weapons and manpower for its war in Ukraine? | website=Al Jazeera | date=14 February 2025 | url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/2/14/is-russia-running-out-of-weapons-and-manpower-for-its-war-in-ukraine | access-date=8 April 2025}}{{cite web | last=Kitachayev | first=Bashir | title=Russian Army’s Use of Donkeys in Ukraine Underscores a Staggering Equipment Shortage | website=The Moscow Times | date=8 April 2025 | url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/03/03/russian-armys-use-of-donkeys-in-ukraine-underscores-a-staggering-equipment-shortage-a88174 | access-date=8 April 2025}}{{cite web | last=Axe | first=David | title=No, The Russians Aren’t Yet Riding Hoverboards Into Battle | website=Forbes | date=24 February 2025 | url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2025/02/24/no-the-russians-arent-yet-riding-hoverboards-into-battle-yes-they-are-deploying-a-lot-of-donkeys/ | access-date=8 April 2025}}{{cite web | last=Axe | first=David | title=More Russian Troops Are Attacking In Compact Cars, Vans & Golf Carts | website=Forbes | date=24 March 2025 | url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2025/03/24/a-lot-more-russian-troops-are-attacking-in-compact-cars-vans-and-golf-carts/ | access-date=8 April 2025}}

In April 2025, some Western analysis estimated that Moscow's surprisingly fast rebuilding of its military, restoration of manpower, replenishment of ammunition stockpiles and modernization of equipment signal preparation for a long-term confrontation with the West. However, the current boom in military production was considered as time-limited because of the unsustainable funding that causes it.{{cite web | last=Chiusa | first=Simone | title=Russia's Armed Forces Emerging Stronger from Ukraine War | website=Geopolitical Monitor | date=2025-04-17 | url=https://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com/russias-armed-forces-emerging-stronger-from-ukraine-war/ | access-date=2025-04-17}}

{{Main|Russia and weapons of mass destruction}}

File:PC-24 «Ярс».JPG]]

File:«Александр Невский» в Вилючинске.jpg Alexander Nevsky]]

As of January 2017, the Federation of American Scientists estimated that Russia has approximately 1,765 deployed strategic warheads, and another 2,700 non-deployed strategic and deployed and non-deployed tactical warheads, plus an additional 2,510 warheads awaiting dismantlement.{{cite web|url=https://www.armscontrol.org/factsheets/Nuclearweaponswhohaswhat|title=Nuclear Weapons: Who Has What at a Glance|publisher=Armscontrol.org|date=January 2017|access-date=13 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180124043430/https://www.armscontrol.org/factsheets/Nuclearweaponswhohaswhat|archive-date=24 January 2018|url-status=live}} Russia's Strategic Rocket Forces controls its land-based nuclear warheads, while the Navy controls the submarine based missiles and the Aerospace Forces the air-launched warheads. Russia's nuclear warheads are deployed in four areas:

1. Land-based immobile (silos), like R-36 and its replacement RS-28 Sarmat.
2. Land-based mobile, like RT-2PM2 Topol-M and new RS-24 Yars.
3. Submarine based, like R-29RMU2 Layner and RSM-56 Bulava.
4. Air-launched warheads of the Russian Aerospace Forces' Long Range Aviation Command

The military doctrine of Russia sees NATO expansion as one of the threats for the Russian Federation and reserves the right to use nuclear weapons in response to a conventional aggression that can endanger the existence of the state. In keeping with this, the country's nuclear forces received adequate funding throughout the late 1990s. The number of intercontinental ballistic missiles and warheads on active duty has declined over the years, in part in keeping with arms limitation agreements with the U.S. and in part due to insufficient spending on maintenance, but this is balanced by the deployment of new missiles as proof against missile defences.{{cite web|url=http://www.kremlin.ru|title=Президент России|work=kremlin.ru|access-date=1 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110220001741/http://www.kremlin.ru/|archive-date=20 February 2011|url-status=live}}

Russia has developed the new RT-2PM2 Topol-M (SS-27) missiles that a Russian general claimed to be able to penetrate any missile defence, including the planned U.S. National Missile Defence. The missile can change course in both air and space to avoid countermeasures. It is designed to be launched from land-based, mobile TEL units.

Because of international awareness of the danger that Russian nuclear technology might fall into the hands of terrorists or rogue officers who it was feared might want to use nuclear weapons to threaten or attack other countries, the federal government of the United States and many other countries provided considerable financial assistance to the Russian nuclear forces in the early 1990s.{{Citation needed|date=February 2012}} This money went in part to finance decommissioning of warheads under international agreements, such the Cooperative Threat Reduction programme, but also to improve security and personnel training in Russian nuclear facilities.

In the late evening of 11 September 2007, the fuel-air explosive AVBPM or "Father of All Bombs" was successfully field-tested.{{Cite news|last=Solovyov|first=Dmitry|date=11 September 2007|title=Russia tests superstrength bomb, military says|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-bomb-idUSL1155952320070912|access-date=17 June 2020|archive-date=18 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200618014115/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-bomb-idUSL1155952320070912|url-status=live}}

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{{Notelist}}

{{Reflist|group=Note}}

{{Reflist|2}}

{{refbegin}}

• {{cite book |last1 = Austin |first1 = Greg |last2 = Muraviev |first2 = Alexey |year=2000 |title = The Armed Forces of Russia in Asia |location = London; New York |publisher = I. B. Tauris |isbn = 1-86064-485-6 }}
• Andrew Bowen, "[https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF11589 Russian Armed Forces: Capabilities]" ( {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923110236/https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF11589 |date=23 September 2021 }}), Congressional Research Service, 30 June 2020.
• Keir Giles (May 2007), [https://www.academia.edu/929855/Military_Service_in_Russia_No_New_Model_Army Military Service in Russia: No New Model Army] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240325001831/https://www.academia.edu/929855/Military_Service_in_Russia_No_New_Model_Army |date=25 March 2024 }}, Conflict Studies Research Centre, {{Isbn|1905962169}}
• [https://www.economist.com/europe/2005/06/30/how-are-the-mighty-fallen "How Are the Mighty Fallen"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240324233323/https://www.economist.com/europe/2005/06/30/how-are-the-mighty-fallen |date=24 March 2024 }}. The Economist. 2–8 July 2005. pp. 45–46.
• {{Cite book |last=IISS |url=https://www.iiss.org/publications/the-military-balance/the-military-balance-2021 |title=The Military Balance 2021 |date=25 February 2021 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=9781032012278 |location=London |author-link=International Institute for Strategic Studies |access-date=22 January 2022 |archive-date=21 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121114152/https://www.iiss.org/publications/the-military-balance/the-military-balance-2021 |url-status=live }}
• International Institute for Strategic Studies, The Military Balance, various editions
• Massicot, Dara. [https://www.foreignaffairs.com/ukraine/what-russia-got-wrong-moscow-failures-in-ukraine-dara-massicot "What Russia Got Wrong"]( {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209065203/https://www.foreignaffairs.com/ukraine/what-russia-got-wrong-moscow-failures-in-ukraine-dara-massicot |date=9 February 2023 }}), Foreign Affairs, 2023
• {{cite book |author-link = William Eldridge Odom |last = Odom |first = William E. |title = The Collapse of the Soviet Military |publisher = Yale University Press |year = 1998 |isbn = 0-300-07469-7 |url = https://archive.org/details/collapseofsoviet00odom }}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20161110043405/http://getrussia.com/news/russia_creates_unique_rifle/ Russia Creates Unique Rifle That Can Shoot at Four Kilometres] RNS, November 2016
• {{cite web |title = The United States leads upward trend in arms exports, Asian and Gulf states arms imports up, says SIPRI |url = https://www.sipri.org/media/press-release/2015/united-states-leads-upward-trend-arms-exports-asian-and-gulf-states-arms-imports-says-sipri |publisher = Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) |date = 16 March 2015 |access-date = 13 April 2017 |archive-date = 9 April 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160409121211/http://www.sipri.org/media/pressreleases/2015/at-march-2015 |url-status = live }}

{{refend}}

• {{Cite journal |last1=Bowen |first1=Andrew|title=Coercive Diplomacy and the Donbas: Explaining Russian Strategy in Eastern Ukraine|journal=Journal of Strategic Studies|date=2017|volume=42|issue=3–4|pages=312–343|doi=10.1080/01402390.2017.1413550|s2cid=158522112|issn = 0140-2390}}
• Galeotti, Mark, "Organised crime and Russian security forces: mafiya, militia and militar", Journal of Conflict, Security and Development, issue 1:2, 2001.
• Ivanov, Henry, [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/294172087_Country_briefing_Russia_-_Austere_deterrence "Country Briefing: Russia—Austere Deterrence"], Jane's Defence Weekly, 28 April 2006
• {{Cite book |last=Lehrke|first=Jesse Paul|title=The Transition to National Armies in the Former Soviet Republics, 1988-2005|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h2DP85Q4czMC|year=2013|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-135-10886-1}}
• Pynnöniemi, K., [http://www.fiia.fi/en/publication/330/russia_s_defence_reform/ "Russia's Defence Reform: Assessing the real 'Serdyukov heritage{{'"}}] ({{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130922041102/http://www.fiia.fi/en/publication/330/russia_s_defence_reform/ |date=22 September 2013 }}), FIIA Briefing Paper 126, 26 March 2013, Finnish Institute of International Affairs.
• {{Cite web |last1=Tian |first1=Nan |last2=Fleurant |first2=Aude |last3=Kuimova |first3=Alexandra |last4=Wezeman |first4=Pieter D. |last5=Wezeman |first5=Siemon T. |date=27 April 2020 |title=Trends in World Military Expenditure, 2019 |url=https://www.sipri.org/sites/default/files/2020-04/fs_2020_04_milex_0_0.pdf |publisher=Stockholm International Peace Research Institute |access-date=8 January 2020}}
• Turbiville, G., "Organized crime and the Russian Armed Forces", Transnational Organized Crime, vol. 1, issue 4, 1995, pp. 55–73. {{Oclc|4769433034}}.
• Waters, T., "Crime in the Russian Military", CSRC Paper C90, Camberley: Conflict Studies Research Centre, 1996.

{{Commons category|Armed Forces of the Russian Federation}}

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