Russia's seizure of Crimea, and ongoing operations in eastern Ukraine, have refocused attention on the Russian military as a potential cause for concern in Europe. This monograph by an influential Russian general and military academic lays out specifically Russian views on the essential nature of strong conventional land forces, and how they may be used. With an expert commentary providing essential context and interpretation, the Paper presents a valuable insight into Russian military thinking, at a potentially critical juncture for European security.
With increases in Vladimir Putin's military spending, efforts began to improve conventional military capability, to supplement the nuclear deterrent that had been retained as an essential minimum guarantee of Russian sovereignty during the preceding decade of chronic military underspending and force reductions. Several factors including concerns about activities of international radical groups and the strengthening of Islamic extremism near the Russian border, plus the deployment of foreign troops without consent of Russia and approval of the UN Security Council in the territory of countries adjacent and friendly to Russia, and the increased in armed conflicts, have strengthened Russia's landpower activities.
Other products pertaining to this topic include the following:
The Future of American Landpower: Does Forward Presence Still Matter?: The Case of the Army in the Pacific can be found at this link: https: //bookstore.gpo.gov/products/sku/008-000-01099-4
United States Army in World War 2, Army Ground Forces, Procurement and Training of Ground Combat Troops can be found at this link: https: //bookstore.gpo.gov/products/sku/008-029-00065-2
Do Fewer Resources Mean Less Influence?: A Comparative Historical Case Study of Military Influence in a Time of Austerity can be found at this link: https: //bookstore.gpo.gov/products/sku/008-000-01101-0
On the Ground in Afghanistan: Counterinsurgency in Practice can be found at this link: https: //bookstore.gpo.gov/products/sku/008-055-00247-8
Foreign Relations-of the United States, 1977-1980, Volume VI, Soviet Unioncan be found here: https: //bookstore.gpo.gov/products/sku/044-000-02661-9
Russia & the Soviet Union collection can be found here: https: //bookstore.gpo.gov/catalog/international-foreign-affairs/russia-soviet-union
About the Author: ABOUT THE AUTHORS:
KEIR GILES is the director of the Conflict Studies Research Centre (CSRC), a group of deep subject matter experts on Eurasian security formerly attached to the United Kingdom (UK) Ministry of Defence. Now operating in the private sector, CSRC provides in-depth analysis on a wide range of security issues affecting Russia and its relations with overseas partners. After
beginning his career working with paramilitary aviation in Russia and Ukraine immediately following the fall of the Soviet Union, Mr. Giles joined the BBC Monitoring Service (BBCM) to report on political and military affairs in the former Soviet space. While attached from BBCM to CSRC at the UK Defence Academy, he wrote and briefed for UK and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) government agencies on a wide range of Russian defense and security issues. Uniquely, he is a double Associate Fellow of the Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House) in London, UK, as well as a regular contributor to research projects on Russian security issues in both the UK and Europe. Mr. Giles's work has appeared in a wide range of academic and military publications across Europe and in the United States.
ALEKSANDR V. ROGOVOY is a professor at the Russian Armed Forces' General Staff Military Academy (VAGSh), where he teaches on the Military Art faculty. He spent his onscript service in the Soviet Army in Germany, where, in addition to his normal duties, he was detailed to guard Rudolf Hess in Spandau Prison, Berlin. Selected for officer training, he graduated from the Higher Combined-Arms Command Academy in 1976 and returned to command positions in Germany. From 1981-84, Major General Rogovoy attended the Frunze Military Academy,
before continuing to more senior command positions in combined-arms units in the Kola Peninsula, Mongolia, Germany, and Moscow Military District. After completing VAGSh in 1995-97, Rogovoy commanded the "Special Division" of the Far Eastern Military District. In 2003, Major General Rogovoy joined the staff of VAGSh as a senior lecturer and was appointed Professor in 2010. He now combines teaching with academic research and practical involvement in the development of the Russian armed forces, including contributing to the drafting of the 2014 Military Doctrine of the Russian Federation. Work already published or in preparation for the Russian armed forces includes the monographs "Preparation and Conduct of Peace Enforcement Operations," "Preparation and Conduct of Peace Support Operations," and "The Russian Approach to Counter- Terrorism." Each of these projects draws on his extensive operational experience, both within Russia and in a number of countries in Russia's near abroad, the Middle East and North Africa. Major General Rogovoy has taken part in a number of international cooperation projects on behalf of VAGSh, including repeated visits to the NATO School Oberammergau, NATO Defense College Rome, and the U.S. National Defense University.
