Siły zbrojne Federacji Rosyjskiej. Cz. 2, Próba charakterystyki

The article consist of two parts. The first one [No. 1(42)2001] contains general characteristics of the Russian Federation's Armed Forces and detailed characteristic features of the Strategic Deterrence Forces (SDF). The article presents the SDF analysis, evaluation of doctrinal assumptions and concept of use included in The National Security Concept of the Russian Federation and in The War Doctrine of the Russian Federation. The author stresses that provisions concerning nuclear weapon use are very general and create a possibility of various interpretations, which is probably to strengthen the feeling of deterrence forces threat. A crucial element of these considerations is the analysis of the discussion carried out in Russia on maintaining the principle of advanced nuclear strike in this doctrine. This part of the article deals with selective Strategic Deterrence Forces' components: land (Strategic Missiles Forces), air (long-range Strategic Air Force) and navy (nuclear submarines with ballistic missiles and self-guided missiles). Their structure, basic equipment, combat abilities and the role they play in the Russian nuclear deterrence concept have been discussed. It has been stressed in the conclusion that Russia is not going to give up plans to maintain SDF on an appropriate level. They have not only to keep the deterrence potential but also balance the conventional forces' reductions which are the result of the armed forces restructuring aiming at reducing the conventional forces by half until 2005.