Russia's Military Revival

Key Chapter Title List

1. Russian Foreign Policy and Military Power
2. The Course of Military Reform
3. Russia's "Other" Armed Forces: The Power Ministries
4. The Use of Russian Military Power Since 1991
5. The Evolution of Russian Military Thought
6. Conclusion: The Timing, Reasons, and Prospects of Russia's Military Revival

Document Introduction

This book provides an in-depth and comprehensive analysis of the revival of Russian military power under Putin's leadership. The author, Bettina Renz, argues that while the West must adapt to the reality of a modernized and increasingly powerful Russian military, the revival of Russian military power and its impact on the global balance of power can only be fully understood when placed within a broader historical context. The book's core thesis is that recent developments do not signify a sudden resurgence of Russian military power but are consistent with long-standing trends in Russian military strategy and foreign policy.

The study first traces the difficulties faced by the Russian military in the early post-Soviet era, the so-called "Time of Troubles." By analyzing the modernization program launched in 2008, the book details the significant progress Russia has made in force structure, equipment renewal, training exercises, and joint operational capabilities. These advancements were demonstrated, albeit in a limited but potent manner, during the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the intervention in Syria in 2015. However, the report also clearly states that this modernization process is far from complete, and Russia still faces major obstacles in manpower retention, defense industry innovation, and the sustainability of military spending affected by economic stagnation.

A unique contribution of this book is its systematic examination of Russia's "power ministries" beyond the regular armed forces (the Ministry of Defense), including the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the Federal Security Service, and the National Guard, among others. These institutions constitute a significant component of Russia's military apparatus, with their missions focusing on domestic security and regime stability. The analysis shows that the persistence and evolution of the power ministries provide an important perspective for understanding the timing and motivations behind Russia's military revival, revealing the increasingly prominent status of internal order and regime stability within Russia's national security considerations.

Through case studies of Russia's use of military force in the CIS region, the Balkans since the 1990s, and more recently in Ukraine and Syria, the book argues that Moscow's view on the use of force has not fundamentally changed. The desire for territorial expansion or a direct confrontation with the West for dominance is not the primary driver behind its use of force. Instead, factors such as status concerns, perceptions of sovereignty, historical legacies, strategic interests, and a sense of insecurity collectively shape its decision-making. Russia's relationship with the West has always been characterized by a complex interplay of cooperation and conflict.

Finally, the book assesses the development of Russian military thought after the Cold War, with a particular focus on the discussion surrounding "hybrid warfare." The author contends that the concept of "hybrid warfare" does not adequately reflect the evolution of Russian strategic thought and misrepresents its ambitions as a global military actor. The Crimea operation demonstrated a significant improvement in Russia's ability to adapt military tactics to specific conflict scenarios, but it does not mean that Russia has found a new "master key" to military victory presented in the form of "hybrid warfare."

Based on extensive research, including archival materials, official documents, academic literature, and interviews with Russian scholars, analysts, and officials, this book aims to provide policymakers and analysts with a contextualized framework for understanding, in order to more accurately assess the nature, limits, and true implications for international security of Russia's military revival.