Moreover, during Putin’s presidency, Moscow has narrowed the cultural gap with society through the militarization of the Russian people, elevating the status of World War II, and maintaining conscription. Putin let the military do its job on the battlefield as it saw fit, and delegated defense reform to the generals, except for a brief period in 2007–2012, when Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov imposed institutional changes that greatly improved Russian military capabilities later displayed in Crimea, eastern Ukraine, and Syria. Boots on the ground have shored up Russian influence in Central Asia, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, and Syria.Īt home, the military has largely stayed out of politics in recent years, but enjoyed relatively large autonomy. In the failed coup of 1991, the army dragged its feet on supporting the putschists, while in the presidential assault on parliament in 1993, tank detachments set the Russian parliament on fire. The military has always played a pivotal role in Russian history. There are no good options for resolving this conflict. The war is challenging the military’s established role in Russian domestic affairs, politicizing the armed forces, and reducing their privileged autonomy in waging war and developing the defense sector. Several other Russian generals suspected of disloyalty have reportedly been dismissed or placed on leave.ĭespite his image as a strongman that the military could rely on, Russian President Vladimir Putin has been slow to address the root causes of the civil-military conflict, prompting claims that it all boils down to the president’s preference for loyalty over competence. Less than a month later, in mid-July, General Ivan Popov-one of the commanders of the Russian forces fighting in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia-recorded a voice message accusing Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov of suspending him from command for reporting problems in the army. Last month, the Wagner mercenary army rose up against the regime-and went unpunished for doing so, despite apparently having killed several Russian pilots. Russian civil-military relations are in crisis.
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