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Russian Armed Forces

What is russian armed forces?

· Emily Grant

Key facts

Official name Armed Forces of the Russian Federation[1]
Country Russia[1]
Main branches Ground Forces, Navy, Aerospace Forces[1]
Independent combat arms Strategic Rocket Forces, Airborne Forces, Unmanned Systems Forces[1]
Founded 2 November 1721[1]

The Russian Armed Forces are the state military organization of Russia, formally the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, comprising land, sea, air, missile, airborne, special operations, and unmanned-systems forces. They are the world's fifth-largest military force and a major global power by size and nuclear capability. [1] [1]

Context

The Russian Armed Forces are the military of Russia, organized into service branches and independent combat arms. They include the Russian Navy, the Russian Air Force, and land, missile, airborne, special operations, and unmanned-systems forces. [1] The structure and manpower figures change over time, so the answer depends on the year. [1] [3] The Russian military uses both conscripts and contracted volunteers, with a mandated one-year service for male citizens aged 18–27. [1] It is a major global force by size and nuclear capability. [1]

Documented claims

  • The Russian Armed Forces use both conscripts and contracted volunteers, with Russian law mandating one year of military service for male citizens aged 18–27, with exceptions. [1]
  • The Army is described as the traditional leading branch and the numerically largest service. [2]
  • The Russian Armed Forces are described as the world's fifth-largest military force. [1]

Related

Russian EmpireThe Russian Empire was the predecessor state to the current Russian Federation, and its military history is directly relevant.

Questions and answers

How much of Russia's military is left?

The answer depends on the year, because the listed branches and manpower figures change over time. [1] [3]

Does Russia have the strongest military?

The Russian Armed Forces are described as the world's fifth-largest military force and a major global force by size and nuclear capability. [1] [1]

What is the difference between the Russian Armed Forces and the Russian Army?

The Russian Ground Forces, or Russian Army, are only one branch of the Russian Armed Forces, which also include the Navy, Aerospace Forces, and independent combat arms. [2] [1]

Sources

  1. Russian Federation: Military service - EUAA — euaa.europa.eu (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  2. [PDF] Russia's armed forces - European Parliament — europarl.europa.eu (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  3. (U) The Russian Army: Organization and Modernization — cna.org (retrieved August 3, 2026)

Sources last checked August 3, 2026. · More in Politics