CSS Lunch Series | Michael Kofman on Russian Military Transformation

Military reforms, starting in late 2008, and a well funded modernization program launched in 2011, have transformed the Russian armed forces. Far from the defunct Soviet mass mobilization army inherited in the 1990s, Moscow has restored the military as a capable instrument of national power. The driving factors in this transformation include Russian military thought on the modern character of war and lessons learned from recent combat operations in Syria and Ukraine. This lecture will explore the evolution of Russia's armed forces, offering a perspective on the transformation, and outlook on what the future holds for the Russian military.

About the Speaker
Michael Kofman serves as Director of the Russia Studies Program at the Center for Naval Analyses and a Fellow at the Kennan Institute, Woodrow Wilson International Center in Washington, D.C. His research focuses on the Russia and the former Soviet Union, specializing in the Russian armed forces, Russian military thought and strategy. Previously he served at National Defense University as a Program Manager, and subject matter expert, advising senior military and government officials on issues in Russia and Eurasia. Mr. Kofman's other affiliations include being a Senior Editor at War on the Rocks, where he regularly authors articles on questions of strategy, the Russian military, and foreign policy issues.
Mr. Kofman has published numerous articles on the Russian armed forces, security issues in Russia/Eurasia, along with analyses for the U.S. government. He holds a M.A. in International Security from the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University and a B.A. in Political Science from Northeastern University.

[stanstanislav]

Michael Kofman is MARVELOUS. Real jewel of military thinking.

[occamsrazorblades]

Three years later... this lecture is spot on.

[wom_Bat]

We need more Michael Kofman on YouTube speaking on Russia in Ukraine 🇺🇦

[michaelm]

In this CSS lecture, Michael Kofman will finally teach us how to center a div

[janezjonsa]

Yup, historia magistra vita est. Michael finished on this note, and I cant agree more. Its just a hobby of mine, since 40 years ago, and yes, one never stops learning. Michael's presentations are for me, a kind of lullaby, and I dont mean it in a derrogatory way. He presents his military thoughts in simple and logical ways, like on a platter. Not that i'm in full agreement with him on everything, but we're rarely on opposite sides.

[TorianTammas]

As we have a very close look at the Russian military and its transformation it lacks a lot:
a lack of maintenance, .
a lack of logistics,
a lack of combined arms,
a lack of an NCO corps,
a lack of discipline and motivation.

[hthnsxz]

Michael Kofman is now a very popular expert. What will he do? Military actions will end sooner or later. The war between Ukraine and Russia has become a tragedy for millions of people. But Michael Kofman owes this war. She made him popular, in demand. For some, death, poverty, ruin. For others, honor, respect on the part of Western society. It seems that we have begun to forget the true causes of wars. Civilian military experts serving the military industrial complex are very dangerous people. They create a toxic information field that contributes to the outbreak of wars. civilian people do not understand the full weight of the war that falls on society. For these experts, war is a fun game, an exciting game. It feels like these guys haven't had enough of playing soldiers in childhood. They decided to put into practice their complexes and dreams. It's dangerous. These experts popularize the war. This is a dangerous phenomenon. War becomes something acceptable, something popular. And millions of people are paying for these ideas. We live in a world of ideas. The ideas that Kofman and other military experts spread, especially civilians. People who never they didn't fight, they didn't kill. People who do not know the price of war and peace. We can say that the conflict in Ukraine in 2022 was a gift of fate for Michael Kofman. But this war is a tragedy for millions of people... It can be said that drops of blood are dripping from the hands of this person... There is not much difference between Putin's conditional Ruslan Pukhov and Western Michael Kofman. Both of these people drag their countries and societies into the crucible of war. both of them defend the interests of the military-industrial complex in the public space of their communities. this is what makes war acceptable and possible. soon these experts will say that nuclear war is cool. The tragedy of millions is an opportunity for hype for a huge number of military experts, retired military. Glory and honors for some, the severity of the war, loss, death of loved ones for others... The irony of fate... The joke of the story.. In 25 years there will still be a revision of historiography, revision of ideas, revision of opinions. Opinions will change

[janezjonsa]

Let Michael speak of today's deliberations... 2022.

[paulcoyle]

Soviet Union had popular myth and symbols. What does today's Russia offer, myth/symbol wise?

[manassurya]

The Russian military despite its flaws is certainly the second most powerful in the world, on land and air. There is no other military in Europe that comes close to matching Russia's overall firepower, logistics, and numbers.

[ducaleadan]

Try To Firce us Your Wrong Idea . Use Your Power And Technology and Military You Have, Test If You Force Us, Because World Need History To Discuss Later.

[shmeckle]

Hah that thick damn accent. Some of the things he said, which sounded rather important, I couldn't ascertain no matter how many times I reminded hahah. Great talk though.

[ducaleadan]

If There Is No even the Conflict Between You And Russia What Could you Do, ? Amy Time I have Right To Defend My Independent And Sofranty I Have . I Didn't Do Any Attacks To Other Country And Didn't Do Any Aggressive In Other Country In A World . I Would Not Accept Any Aggressive From Whole Country In World. Let Alone One Or Two, three, Up To 10, What Ever Whey Are . .

[WorshipinIdols]

The Russian militaries Achilles heel is refusing to delegate the right to take personal initiative to lower ranking commanders.

[robtristram]

I'm British and I can just about keep up, but for any non-english speaking person, to understand that stuff at high speed with his accent. No chance!

[telkoehf]

Andrei Sakharov calculate the force to make the ultimate boomb. Last year Russia finnst building them Putin lower the money to wepon system

[NDSMD]

Yes, Ivan's military has reformed but it's still a teddy bear.