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How the Russian Army Changed its Concept of War, 1993-2022

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Journal of Strategic Studies, May 2023
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The traditional and high-intensity war that has occurred in Ukraine since Russia decided to invade raises a key issue: did post-soviet Russian strategic thought really prepare Russia for waging this war?

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Une analyse des sources militaires russes montre que « l'opération militaire spéciale » n’aurait pas dû mener à une telle guerre. Bien au contraire, cette opération prenait place dans la théorisation russe post-soviétique sur le contournement de la lutte armée. Pour comprendre cette conception russe de la guerre et sa mise en œuvre sur le long terme en Ukraine, il est nécessaire d'analyser le principal débat militaire russe depuis 1993 : qu'est-ce que la guerre ?

Ce contenu est disponible en anglais sur le site de Taylor and Francis Online : How the Russian Army Changed its Concept of War, 1993-2022

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Dimitri MINIC

Dimitri MINIC

Intitulé du poste

Research Fellow, Scientific Director of the Observatory on Russia, Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia, Ifri's Russia/Eurasia Center

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Russia/Eurasia Center
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Founded in 2005 within Ifri, the Russia/Eurasia Center conducts research and organizes debates on Russia, Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the South Caucasus. Its goal is to understand and anticipate the evolution of this complex and rapidly changing geographical area in order to enrich public discourse in France and Europe and to assist in strategic, political, and economic decision-making.

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Between Russia and Europe, between War and Peace: What is at Stake in Armenia’s Upcoming Elections?

Date de publication
05 June 2026
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Armenia’s June 7, 2026, parliamentary election is shaping up less as a routine vote than as a referendum on Nikol Pashinyan’s post-2020 course, which includes peace with neighbors, reduced dependence on Russia, and a more explicit European orientation. The ruling Civil Contract party is still the frontrunner, but its position is fragile, as the campaign is being fought in a highly polarized environment shaped by the trauma of defeat in the war against Azerbaijan, the displacement of Karabakh Armenians, and the massive election interference from Russia.

Mikayel ZOLYAN
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Russia, the Palestinians and Gaza: Adjustments after October 7th

Date de publication
23 February 2026
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The Soviet Union (USSR), and subsequently the Russian Federation as its internationally recognized legal successor, has consistently sought to play a visible role in efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Dmitry MARYASIS
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Deathonomics: The Social, Political, and Economic Costs of War in Russia

Date de publication
09 February 2026
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The report attempts to outline and examine a truly new phenomenon in Russian society, dubbed “deathonomics”—the making of a mercenary army against the backdrop of the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine, eventually replacing both the Soviet (conscript) and early new Russian (contract) armies. It notes that, by the end of 2023, this trend had turned the military service into one of the highest-paying professions in the country, something not seen in Russia on such a scale since the late 17th century.

Vladislav INOZEMTSEV

Russia's Asia Strategy: Bolstering the Eagle's Eastern Wing

Date de publication
06 June 2016
Accroche

Among Russia’s strategic priorities, Asia traditionally played a secondary role compared to the West. In the mid-1990s, then Foreign Minister Yevgeny Primakov initiated a rapprochement with China and India. Then, in 2014, deteriorating relations between Russia and the West prompted Moscow to begin its “great pivot to the East”.

Dmitri TRENIN

How can this study be cited?

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Dimitri MINIC, « How the Russian Army Changed its Concept of War, 1993-2022 », External Publications, Ifri, 23 May 2023.
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