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Russian soldiers train at a military camp in 1991. David Turnley/Corbis/via Getty Images

In early 2006, Russian Pvt. Andrei Sychyov had his legs and genitals amputated from frostbite after he and at least seven other conscripts were forced to squat in the snow for hours during New Year’s Eve celebrations, during which they were brutally beaten. It took three days for him to get any medical aid. In 2018, Pvt. Artyom Pakhotin had the word petukh—meaning rooster (figuratively, “prison bitch”)—carved into his forehead as a punishment for smoking in the barracks. Two weeks later, he killed himself with his AK. On Oct. 25, 2019, conscript Ramil Shamsutdinov opened fire on fellow soldiers, killing eight of them, after what he said was a prolonged period of beatings and threats of rapes.…  Seguir leyendo »

A Ukrainian soldier, left, and two U.S. soldiers climb on an armored military vehicle as they attend joint military exercises at the Yavoriv training ground, near the western Ukrainian city of Lviv, on July 4. (Ivan Bobersyy/European Pressphoto Agency)

In November, while visiting the headquarters of the U.S. Army in Europe, I received a briefing on the performance of the Russian army in Ukraine. In a perfunctory tone, the young intelligence briefer recited the details of the July 2014 Battle of Zelenopillya, in which a single Russian artillery “fire strike” almost destroyed two Ukrainian mechanized battalions in a few minutes.

I couldn’t help imagining a U.S. armored battalion subjected to a similar fire strike. I realized then that Ukraine had become Russia’s means for showcasing what might happen if we ever fought a firepower-intensive battle against it. “You know, guys,” I mused in the moment, “this is the first time since the beginning of the Cold War that an American war-fighting function has been bested by a foreign military.”…  Seguir leyendo »

With all eyes on Ukraine, where Russia’s neo-imperial efforts have raised the specter of a new Cold War between Moscow and the West, another alarming facet of the Kremlin’s contemporary foreign policy has gone largely unnoticed; namely, its growing military presence in, and strategic designs on, the Western Hemisphere.

On Feb. 26, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu formally announced his government’s plan to expand its overseas military presence. Russia, Mr. Shoigu outlined, intends to establish new military bases in eight foreign countries. The candidates include five Asian nations and three Latin American ones: Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua. Negotiations are underway to allow port visits to each, and to open refueling sites there for Russian long-range aircraft.…  Seguir leyendo »

Some of the most interesting artifacts of the Soviet Union in Russia are the holidays that continue to be celebrated, almost two decades after the fall of communism. On February 23, Russians celebrate the “Day of the Defender of the Fatherland,” a rough equivalent of Father’s Day but with a militaristic flavor. On this day, daughters, wives, and girlfriends give presents to Russian men and lavish them with attention. (In fairness, there is also “Women’s Day” – March 8 – and a newly popular Valentine’s Day.)

During Soviet times, February 23 was called the “Day of the Soviet Army and Navy,” and celebrated the creation of the Red Army.…  Seguir leyendo »

Figura 1: distribución del personal en las Fuerzas Armadas rusas

Tema: La Federación Rusa trata de mejorar la capacidad militar de sus Fuerzas Armadas para reforzar su posición en la jerarquía internacional como una potencia alternativa dentro de un sistema multipolar.

Resumen: Las Fuerzas Armadas rusas perdieron capacidad y credibilidad militar tanto fuera como dentro de la Federación Rusa desde el fin de la Guerra Fría. La falta de recursos, la corrupción y la perpetuación de las mentalidades y los hábitos soviéticos determinaron la progresiva caída de su operatividad hasta tocar fondo a finales del siglo pasado. El proceso se ha invertido a partir de la voluntad de los presidentes Vladimir Putin y Dmitri Medvédev de invertir en la modernización de las fuerzas armadas parte de los ingresos derivados de la exportación de energía y materias primas para recuperar a las Fuerzas Armadas como instrumento de prestigio interno y externo de la nueva Rusia.…  Seguir leyendo »