Military Doctrine of the Russian Federation (2014)

Approved: December 2014

The Military Doctrine of the Russian Federation, approved in December 2014, is a strategic planning document that outlines the state’s views on the use of its armed forces to protect its national interests. It was issued after the annexation of Crimea and reflects a significant shift in Russia’s perception of the security environment.

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Key Provisions

• Main External Threats: The doctrine identifies the “build-up of the power potential” of NATO and the “endowment of NATO with global functions carried out in violation of the norms of international law” as the primary external military threat to Russia. It also lists the deployment of military infrastructure closer to Russia’s borders, the establishment and deployment of strategic missile defense systems, and the “establishment and maintenance of hotbeds of tension in regions and states contiguous with the Russian Federation” as key threats.

• Nature of Modern Military Conflicts: The doctrine emphasizes the integrated use of military and non-military measures, including political, economic, and informational tools (hybrid warfare). It notes the “decisive influence of the information space” on modern conflicts and the importance of “information countermeasures.”

• Use of Nuclear Weapons: The doctrine reaffirms Russia’s nuclear posture. It states that Russia reserves the right to use nuclear weapons in response to the use of nuclear or other types of weapons of mass destruction against it or its allies, and also in the event of aggression against the Russian Federation with the use of conventional weapons when the “very existence of the state is put under threat.”

• Strategic Deterrence: The doctrine defines strategic deterrence as a key task, which includes both nuclear and non-nuclear measures. The goal is to “prevent aggression against the Russian Federation and its allies.”

• Internal Threats: The doctrine also addresses internal threats, including “activities aimed at the violent change of the constitutional order,” the “destabilization of the political and social situation,” and “terrorist activities.”

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The 2014 Military Doctrine provides a clear picture of Russia’s security concerns and its approach to the use of military force. It reflects a deep-seated mistrust of NATO and a focus on countering what it perceives as a hostile and expansionist Western alliance.