The influence of regional conflicts and military reform on the 2010 and 2014 Military Doctrines of the Russian Federation: an analysis of the development and current force posture of the Russian conventional ground forces

The 2010 and 2014 Military Doctrines of the Russian Federation, as planning documents for the armed forces, have been influenced and guided, both directly and indirectly, by the recent regional conflicts in Georgia and Crimea, as well as by the ongoing ‘New Look’ military reforms. The perceived threat by Russia of the continued eastward expansion by NATO into their periphery and region of influence not only provided the impetus for military action, but the deliberate inclusion of NATO as a military threat and main external danger in both doctrines. From the Russian perspective, the expansion of NATO and infringement in their sphere of influence can only be dissuaded by show of force, and as a result, the desire to protect its national interests and regional hegemony is reflected prominently in the doctrines. The ‘New Look’ military reforms on the other hand, regardless of the radical and sweeping changes on the structure and posture of the armed forces, had very little impact on either doctrine. In complete contradiction both documents continued to stress the requirements of a Soviet-style mobilization reserve and other such aspects similar to the pre-reform Russian military force. As a result, the current military doctrine has left the present-day Russian armed forces, specifically the ground forces, contending with how to confront the continued threat of NATO expansion and prepare for future regional conflicts, while attempting to strike the appropriate balance between a smaller, permanent-readiness force, and a large mobilization army.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.A.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Russian, E Eur, Eurasian St

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2015

Author dc:creator

• Klepper, Eastman A

• Russia
• Military
• Military Doctrine
• Russian-Georgian War
• Military Reform
• Annexation of Crimea
• Conflict in Eastern Ukraine
• Russian Armed Forces
• Russian Ground Forces
• Weapons and Equipment

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2015 Eastman Klepper

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/78520

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/78520