The Evolution of Civil-Military Relations in Russia

Abstract

The introduction of civilian, political control over the Russian Federation’s military and security services was an essential element of democratization after 1991. Efforts to establish and consolidate civilian, political control over Russia’s armed forces have passed through a number of distinct stages since 1991, with different branches of government playing the central role in civil-military relations at different points. From 1991 to 1993, the Russian parliament took the lead in efforts to secure civilian control of the military. After 1993 the upper hand passed to the executive branch, under President Boris Yeltsin. The subsequent strengthening of presidential political control of the military has itself passed through two phases. These stages in the development of civil-military relations reflected wider developments in Russian politics.