Abstract
This article argues that Russia’s Arctic land forces have been weakened by the Russia-Ukraine War and NATO’s northern expansion, creating a strategic window for Western militaries to bolster their Arctic capabilities. Unlike existing studies that focus on maritime operations and the Northern Sea Route, it integrates technical assessments of ground-based Arctic platforms with analysis of military-district reforms. Using a mixed methodology that incorporates equipment specifications, Russian government documents, media reports, and NATO strategic-response evaluations, this article constructs a comprehensive baseline understanding of Russia’s Arctic land-force potential and readiness. Policy and military practitioners will benefit from actionable insights into Arctic force-design shifts, equipment vulnerabilities, and strategic recommendations to exploit the temporary imbalance between NATO and Russian readiness.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
10.55540/0031-1723.3356
Recommended Citation
Troy J. Bouffard, Lester W. Grau, Charles K. Bartles & Mathieu Boulègue, "Russian Arctic Land Forces and Defense Trends Redefined by NATO and Ukraine," Parameters 55, no. 3 (2025), doi:10.55540/0031-1723.3356.
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