Persson, Gudrun Russian Military Thought

The Evolution of Strategy Since the Crimean War

New insights into Russian military thinking from the Crimean War to the war in Ukraine. The development of strategic thinking in the Russian military is a topic that has been little researched in the West and is therefore misunderstood. In Russia, strategy encompasses the broader context of foreign and domestic policy as well as the military's connections to the country's leadership. The military's strategic thinking is closely linked to Russia's existence as a state and explains patterns of Russian confrontation. In Russian Military Thought, scholar Gudrun Persson offers new insights into Russian military thinking on doctrine and strategy, from the Crimean War to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Persson refutes the simplistic notion that Russian military thinking is backward and instead presents a more in-depth analysis of the factors influencing changes in Russian military strategy. Drawing on archival research based on Russian-language sources, Persson offers a multidisciplinary perspective, drawing on theoretical insights from history and political science that enable her to provide a nuanced, qualitative analysis. This book is essential reading for practitioners, scholars and students who want to understand the mindset of the current Russian leadership and the constraints shaping Russia's future prospects.