Putin's Arsenal: Deciphering Russia's Military Doctrine, Hybrid Warfare , and Nuclear Deterrence Strategy in the 21st Century

Putin's Arsenal: Deciphering Russia's Military Doctrine, Hybrid Warfare Tactics, and Nuclear Deterrence Strategy in the 21st Century

Abstract:

The collapse of the Soviet Union brought numerous critical challenges and threats to Russia's military, and it went through tremendous transformation and modernization under the leadership of Vladimir Putin. This paper will explain and examine Putin’s influence in evolving military doctrine, hybrid warfare tactics, and nuclear deterrence strategy, and how crucial is in changing global security dynamics and challenges in the 21st century to survive in great power competition.?

The prevalent shift in the strategic balance of power influenced Putin to revolutionize Russia’s military doctrines, hybrid warfare tactics, and nuclear deterrence strategy to deter danger and threats from NATO and the United States. The transformation of Russian military doctrine resulted in the success of hybrid warfare power projection capabilities in post-Soviet space and abroad because Russia's strategic culture considers subsequent non-military means to be based on the rules of Warcraft and its should be counter with Hybrid warfare tactics. The advancement in nuclear technology improved Russia’s nuclear triad of conventional high-precision weapons replacing soviet systems and increasing survivability in the nuclear showdown, and the nuclear arsenals are the core pillars of the Russian National Security Deterrence Strategy. Putin's leadership significantly reformed Russia's military doctrine, hybrid warfare tactics, and nuclear deterrence strategy and these reforms have enhanced military hardware, combat training, and command and control structures. Putin's arsenal is now battle-tested in both conventional and unconventional scenarios, demonstrating Russia’s military defensive posture to combat evolving threats to its national security.

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Introduction:

The dissolution of the Soviet Union was a significant setback for the people of Russia and Vladimir Putin, who rose to power with the vision of restoring the honor of the Soviet Union and revitalizing the morale of the Russian people.

The rise of Vladimir Putin marked the resurgence of Russia as a significant player in international politics. Since Putin came to power, military reforms have been a top priority. He implemented various drastic changes in the military structure and approved a new military doctrine. Throughout Russian history, the military doctrine has been considered a sacred document, addressing military threats to Russia.

?In the post-Cold War era, all reforms and modernization efforts were driven by Putin's ambition to deter threats and dangers to Russia's sphere of influence from the US and NATO. NATO is a key factor in the formulation of Russian military doctrine, and its eastern expansion poses a strategic threat to Russia's borders.

Russia's hybrid warfare tactics are the ultimate result of the transformation of its military doctrine, allowing the Russian military to achieve strategic goals without conventional military means. These tactics have also been effective in countering color revolutions. Since the Cold War, Russia's nuclear policy has evolved, and it has cooperated with the United States under various treaties. The potential use of nuclear arsenals as a preemptive strike has always been a significant component of Russian strategy to. Nuclear weapons remain the core pillars of Russia's national security deterrence strategy in the 21st century and are intricately connected with international security due to Russia's rivalry with the United States and NATO.

Under Putin's leadership, Russia has made significant advancements in nuclear weapons modernization, surpassing the capabilities of the United States

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Methodology:

This section outlines the research methodology employed in this study, focusing on qualitative analysis using both primary and secondary sources. While the research primarily utilizes secondary sources, such as books, journal articles, news media, and internet sources, it also incorporates primary sources, including interviews and published official documents.

The study examines Russia's emergence as a great power, applying a realist theoretical framework to understand how Russia maintains the balance of power through military modernization. The realist perspective is particularly relevant in analyzing how Russia's security dilemma drives its efforts to enhance its military doctrine, hybrid warfare tactics, and nuclear deterrence strategy.

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Literature Review:

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Analysis:

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Objectives of Study:

·????? To analyze the influence of Putin's leadership on the development of Russia's military doctrine and assess its impact on global security.

·????? To identify the key components of Russia's hybrid warfare tactics and evaluate their effective projection on a global scale.

·????? To examine the challenges and opportunities of Russia's nuclear deterrence strategy and assess its significance for international security dynamics in the 21st century.

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Research Question:

1-??? How has Putin's leadership influenced Russia's military doctrine, hybrid warfare tactics, and nuclear deterrence strategy, and what has been their impact on global security?

2-??? What are the key components of Russia's hybrid warfare, and how effectively does it project power globally?

3-??? What are the challenges and opportunities presented by Russia's nuclear deterrence strategy in the 21st century, and how crucial is it for international security dynamics?

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Findings:

The study finds that Russia's military doctrine has evolved over time, primarily focusing on the expansion of NATO. NATO's enlargement through the inclusion of neutral states and military buildups around Russia is perceived as a significant threat.

The study also investigates Russia’s hybrid warfare model, which has proven successful in projecting power and achieving national interests, as demonstrated in the annexation of Crimea and the intervention in Syria. Hybrid warfare serves as an effective counter to color revolutions, maintaining a perpetual state of conflict to preserve a strategic advantage over opposing governments and weakening them. The purpose of hybrid warfare is to exploit or create internal divisions and crises within rival nations, thereby draining their political power and resources without direct military confrontation, and imposing Russia’s political will without pursuing a policy of total war.

The study reveals that Russia's nuclear strategy has evolved over time, influenced by various arms control treaties with the United States. Nuclear weapons remain the core pillars of Russia's national security deterrence strategy in the 21st century and are intricately connected to international security due to Russia's rivalry with the United States and NATO. These nuclear arsenals provide a protective shield to ground forces in limited conflicts. Russia's reliance on its nuclear arsenal will likely remain high, with the potential for preemptive strikes to maintain its deterrence posture.

Conclusion:

The purpose of this study is to analyze Russia's military doctrine, hybrid warfare tactics, and nuclear deterrence strategy, and to examine how Vladimir Putin has influenced military reforms to help the Russian Federation regain its status as a great power after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

?Russia's military doctrine has evolved from historical warfare experiences, adapting to conflicts in the post-Cold War era. Putin reform and modernization of Russian military are rooted in Russia's strategic culture and geopolitical landscape, this doctrine is motivated ?to protect national interests.

These reforms have enhanced military hardware (conventional & non-conventional weapons , strategic and tactical weapons), combat training, and command and control structures. Putin's arsenal is now battle-tested in both conventional and unconventional scenarios, demonstrating Russia’s military defensive posture to combat evolving threats to its national security.

Russia's hybrid warfare tactics have proven to be effective in modern conflicts, allowing the achievement of military objectives without engaging in outright military annihilation of rival states. Recently, the invasion of Ukraine, annexation of Crimea, military intervention in Syria, and counter color revolutions in the sphere of influence, illustrate the efficiency of Russia Hybrid warfare tactics.

Finally, In my view after the Putin rise in the power Russia made tectonic shifts in reformation of military and its doctrine to achieve it symbol as great power and important player in the international theatre of power. Russia’s military evolved and modernize over the period and now battle-tested in both conventional and unconventional scenarios, demonstrating Russia’s military defensive posture to combat evolving threats to its national security and its projection on global level.

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