The transformation of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation: Implications for NATO and Ukraine
The transformation of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation: Implications for NATO and Ukraine

Summary/Abstract: The Russian Federation’s armed aggression against Ukraine in 2022 constitutes one of the most significant challenges to the security architecture of Central and Eastern Europe. Russia’s military policy and ongoing modernisation efforts pose a tangible threat to regional stability, compelling Central and Eastern European states to reassess their defence strategies and enhance cooperation within NATO. This is particularly urgent given the Russian Federation’s engagement in both conventional and hybrid operations. Consequently, the threat to NATO member states – especially those situated on the so-called “eastern flank” – is intensifying, necessitating greater cohesion among NATO allies and increased investment in defence and armed forces modernisation. This article aims to examine the reforms undertaken within the Russian Armed Forces following the dissolution of the USSR and to evaluate their implications for regional security. The central research question explores how successive stages of military modernisation have influenced the operational capabilities of the Russian army and the utilisation of its military potential in pursuit of the Federation’s security policy objectives. The paper is of a review nature and is based on the analysis of available academic sources.

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