The size of the Russian army varies from year to year. This is due to the fact that no more than 20% of the entire age group of recruits are called up. However, the regular strength of the Russian army is determined by the state defense strategy and the annual presidential decree on conscription.
Armed forces of the USSR and Russia in the XX-XXl centuries
What is the size of the Russian army? This question can be answered in two ways, each of which depends on what content we put in the term. The strength of the Russian army can be understood as the total number of troops of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, as well as the strength of the Ground Forces - a separate, although the most numerous, type of troops.
The size of the Armed Forces of the country fluctuated greatly throughout the 20th century. How much The minimum size of the Soviet Armed Forces was 562 in 1925. The USSR army reached its maximum number during the period of mobilization during the Great Patriotic War, when 11,360,000 people were called up.
During the post-war period, the number of the Armed Forces stabilized in the region of 3,500,000. With such an army, the USSR approached 1991. What is the size of the Russian army today?
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, troops underwent a radical reduction, and in 2017 the total number of servicemen of all kinds, together with the officers, reached one million people. The number of recruits called up for military service in 2017 amounted to 236 thousand people. During the spring draft of 2018, 128 thousand men were called up.
Ground forces as part of the RF Armed Forces
The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation are three types of troops, two branches and special forces. In the total number of the Russian army, the Ground Forces stand out - the most numerous type of armed forces in terms of the number of troops.
In 2018, the number of this species is 280,000 people. At the same time, the Ground Forces include such forces as motorized rifle, tank, missile and artillery, air defense of the ground forces and special forces.
Types of Ground Forces
The most numerous types of troops are motorized rifles. Their material base is made up of armored personnel carriers, infantry fighting vehicles and trucks. Motorized rifle troops rarely operate independently, as they are part of motorized rifle formations, which also include tanks, artillery and other units.
The main striking force of the ground forces is tank forces. Indisputable advantages are their mobility, speed and resistance to nuclear shock.
The main purpose of the missile and artillery troops is to deliver a fire and nuclear strike against the enemy. They are armed with both jet artillery and howitzer, deck and anti-tank. Armed with mortars.
Ground forces also have their own air defense. Air defense troops are needed to combat enemy air means, to destroy both combat and reconnaissance aircraft. The main striking means are manned, towed and mobile anti-aircraft missile systems, as well as anti-aircraft gun systems.
Special Forces of the Russian Army
The number of Russian special forces is relatively small in comparison with the rest of the Armed Forces. However, their importance for the country's security is difficult to overestimate.
Various special forces units are engaged in ensuring the operation and construction of transport routes, and protection against radiation, chemical and bacteriological threats. Communication troops provide communication between various units and objects of all military branches.
In addition, the Armed Forces have formations that do not belong to any of the listed arms. Such formations include:
- medical intelligence;
- curfew services;
- topographic service;
- formation of technical support.
Railway troops of the Russian Federation
As part of the logistics service of the troops of Russia there are railway troops. They were founded in 1851 by order of Nicholas l. In the total composition of the Armed Forces of the country, only 28,000 personnel are assigned to railway troops.
Given the size of Russian territory and the length of railways in the country, this type of troops is of crucial importance. Railway troops are engaged in maintaining the work of the tracks in the conditions of military operations and emergencies, and restore destroyed bridges and roads.
The organizational structure of the Ground Forces
Traditionally, the Ground Forces are divided into four military districts:
- West;
- Southern
- Central;
- Oriental.
In each military district several armies are based. There are five in the Eastern District, and two in the Southern and Central. With a strength of 280,000, the ground forces are divided into twelve armies and one army corps. Each army has its own command, which, in turn, is subordinate to the district.
It is worth recalling that the President of Russia is the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the RF Armed Forces in accordance with the Constitution, and all commanders of military branches, armies and military districts are subordinate to him.