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1 1 (October 4, 2021)

handle is hein.crs/goveepn0001 and id is 1 raw text is: October 4, 2021 Russian Military Exercises The Russian military has routinely conducted two types of military exercises: annualstrategic commandstaff exercises and combat readiness inspections. Many of these exercises are what most analysts consider p art of a military's normal training routine. Rus sia uses these exercises to test military readiness, refine operational concepts, as sess new equipment and technologies, and improve command and control. Russia also may use some of these exercises as a formof coercive signaling toward neighboring states and foreign audiences. Some observers are also concerned about Rus sian use of military exercises as a pretext to mask preparations for potential and actual invasions (see below). In particular, the size and nature of the exercises, including the recently concludedZapad 2021 joint Russian- Belarus ian strategic exercise, have caused concern among U.S. and European observers, including some Members of Congress. Some Members expressed concern about the exercise reflecting Russian aggression toward allies in the region. Types of Exercises Strategic command staff exercises are the culmination of the Russianmilitary's yearly training cycle (although the Russian military increasingly conducts large scale exercises throughout the year). These exercis es test the military's ability to conduct large-scale operations. The exercises are regular and routinized, rotating annually through Russia's military districts (MD): Western(Zapad), Southern (Kavkaz), Central(Tsentr), and Eastern (Vostok). Thus, each MD hosts an exercise once every four years. Separately, Russia conducts an annualexercise ofits nuclear forces. Russian Strategic Command Staff Level Exercises . Vostok-2014 (Eastern MD) . Tsentr-2015 (Central MD) Kavkaz-2016 (Southern MD) . Zopad-2017 (Western MD) . Vostok-2018 (Eastern MD) . Tsentr-2019 (Central MD) Kavkaz-2020 (Southern MD) . Zopad-2021 (Western MD) Note: In 2010, Russia restructured the MDs from six to four. In January 2021, the Ministry of Defense upgraded the Northern Fleet to an MD, bringing the total number to five. However, the Northern Fleet conducted exercises as part of Zapad. Since 2013, Rus sia also has conducted surprise combat readiness inspections with increasing frequency. For example, Russian officials stated that the military would conduct more than 4,800readines s inspections in 2021. The Russian military conducts these inspections throughout the year, and the inspections vary in size from an individual unit (or subunit) to multiple units and service branches across Russia. In contrastto strategic levelexercises, readiness inspections focus on testing and improving mobilization and readiness capabilities. Coercive Signaling Rus sia appears to use military exercises as a form of coercive signaling against neighboring states. Observers note that Russia alsohas usedexercises to obscure the massing andpreparationoftroops for offensive operations. Prior to Rus sia's 2008 war with Georgia and the 2014 occupation and annexation ofUkraine's Crimea region, Russia massedforces under the pretext of normal military exercises. In March and April2021, Rus sia mas sed significant forces in Crimea and on the border with Ukraine. Rus sia claimed the buildup was part of its regular training cycle and preparations for the Zapad 2021 exercise. U.S. government officials and observers expressed concerns that Rus sia was preparing a possible invasion of Ukraine. Obs ervers note that Rus sia employs military exercis es to demonstrateits military capabilities to foreign audiences. Russia oftenannounces snap inspections to coincide with Western or NATO exercises; some analysts interpret this as a Rus sian effort to demonstrate its military's capability to quickly and forcefully respond to threats. Other analysts argue that Russia's military exercises demonstrate Russian insecurities and concerns reg arding whether it can address perceived threats across multiple regions. Russia's lack oftransparency increases concern regarding its military exercises. Rus sia is a signatory to the Vienna Document, a series of confidence and security building measures overseenby theOrganization for Security and Cooperationin Europe. These measures include requirements to share information on military forces, equipment, andmilitary exercises involving more than 13,000 troops. Russiaroutinely avoids these requirements by claiming that the number of troops involved falls under the reporting requirement orby conducting a series of smaller exercises instead of one large exercise. Military Exercises and Russia's Military Modernization Exercises are a crucialcomponent ofa military's training and preparation for conflict. In this regard, the Russian military differs little from most modern militaries. Exercises also play an important role in Russia's military ttps://crs reports.cong re&

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