ABSTRACT
The situation facing the Russian military has worsened in every area since it was created in 1992. In addition to the confusion that reigns in the policy process, the military has also been faced with a new political situation: it is no longer the apolitical institution that it was during the Soviet regime. An increasingly large number of Russian military officers tend to be very political. The army chose sides and thereby became a direct participant in the political process. Many military men were tired of being misused by politicians and sympathetic to his simplistic answers to complex questions. The war in Chechnya further exacerbated the military's financial situation. According to a senior officer, this conflict had cost the military 1.9 trillion rubles by August 1995. The personnel problems facing Moscow's military decision makers involved officers as well as enlisted personnel. The situation within the Russian military apparently continues to deteriorate.
