Sources on the Russo-Ukrainian Conflict, Part Two: The Russian Military and Eastern Europe

Last Updated: June 17

For Part One (general federal documents sources), click here.

The following is a select list of sources on the Russian armed forces and the military situation in eastern Europe since 2014. The focus is on material produced by the US federal government, though useful non-government and international resources are also provided.

1. Congressional Publications on the Russian Military (2014-present)

European Security in 2018: A Conversation with General Hodges, Former Commander, U.S. Army Europe: Briefing of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe. January 24, 2018.

The Evolution of Hybrid Warfare and Key Challenges: Hearing Before the Committee on Armed Services, House of Representatives, One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, First Session. March 22, 2017.

The Growing Russian Military Threat in Europe: Hearing Before the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, First Session. May 17, 2017.

Russian Influence and Unconventional Warfare Operations in the “Gray Zone”: Lessons from Ukraine: Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities of the Committee on Armed Services, United States Senate, One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, First Session. March 29, 2017.

Russian Military Developments and Strategic Implications: Hearing Before the Committee on Armed Services, House of Representatives, One Hundred Thirteenth Congress, Second Session. April 8, 2014.

Russian Strategy and Military Operations: Hearing Before the Committee on Armed Services, United States Senate, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, First Session. October 8, 2015.

2. Executive Branch Publications on the Russian Military (2014-present)

Anderson, R. Reed et al. Strategic Landpower and a Resurgent Russia: An Operational Approach to Deterrence: A U.S. Army War College Integrated Research Project in Support of: U.S. European Command and U.S. Army Europe. Carlisle Barracks, PA : Strategic Studies Institute and U.S. Army War College Press, 2016.

Beehner, Lionel et al. Analyzing the Russian Way of War: Evidence from the 2008 Conflict with Georgia. West Point, NY: Modern War Institute at West Point, 2018.

Blank, Stephen J., editor. The Russian Military in Contemporary Perspective. Carlisle Barracks, PA: Strategic Studies Institute and U.S. Army War College Press, 2019.

Chambers, John. Countering Gray-Zone Hybrid Threats: An Analysis of Russia’s ’New Generation Warfare’ and Implications for the US Army. West Point, NY: Modern War Institute at West Point, 2016.

Cohen, Ariel and Ivan Benovic. The Hour of Truth: The Conflict in Ukraine— Implications for Europe’s Energy Security and the Lessons for the U.S. Army. Carlisle Barracks, PA: Strategic Studies Institute and U.S. Army War College Press, 2015.

Deni, John R., editor. Current Russia Military Affairs: Assessing and Countering Russian Strategy, Operational Planning, and Modernization. Carlisle Barracks, PA: U.S. Army War College and Strategic Studies Institute, 2018.

Grau, Lester A., and Charles K. Bartles. The Russian Way of War: Force Structure, Tactics and Modernization of the Russian Ground Forces. Fort Leavenworth, KS: Foreign Military Studies Office (FMSO), 2016.

“Little Green Men”: A Primer on Modern Russian Unconventional Warfare, Ukraine 2013-2014. Fort Bragg, NC: United States Army Special Operations Command, 2015.

McCarthy, Michael C., Matthew A. Moyer and Brett H. Venable. Deterring Russia in the Gray Zone. Carlisle Barracks, PA: Strategic Studies Institute and U.S. Army War College Press, 2019.

Project 1704: A U.S. Army War College Analysis of Russian Strategy in Eastern Europe, an Appropriate U.S. Response, and the Implications for U.S. Landpower. Carlisle Barracks, PA: U.S. Army War College, 2015.

Project 1721: A U.S. Army War College Assessment on Russian Strategy in Eastern Europe and Recommendations on How to Leverage Landpower to Maintain the Peace. Carlisle Barracks, PA: Strategic Studies Institute and U.S. Army War College Press, 2017.

Russia Military Power: Building a Military to Support Great Power Aspirations. Washington, DC: Defense Intelligence Agency, 2017. (Also: Joyner Docs Stacks: D 5.202:R 92)

Slater, Matthew R., Michael Purcell and Andrew M. Del Gaudio, editors. Considering Russia: Emergence of a Near Peer Competitor. Quantico, VA: Marine Corps University, Marine Corps University Press, 2017.

Thomas, Timothy L. Russia Military Strategy: Impacting 21st Century Reform and Geopolitics. Fort Leavenworth, KS: Foreign Military Studies Office (FMSO), 2015.

Thomas, Timothy L. Russian Military Thought: Concepts and Elements. McLean, VA: MITRE, 2019.

3. Federal Sources for Further Military Analysis

Army University Press (AUP): Online books and other AUP publications, including full-text of the journal Military Review.

Congressional Research Service Reports: Russia. Library of Congress.

Department of Defense: Spotlight: Support for Ukraine

Foreign Military Studies Office: Online monographs and other studies focused on foreign militaries, especially those of Russia and China.

Modern War Institute at West Point: Features research reports, commentary and analysis, and several podcasts.

US Army War College Press: Includes freely available online monographs, analyses, and the Army journal Parameters.

4. Non-Federal Sources for Russia/Ukraine Military and Strategic Analysis

Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School: Russia Matters

Center for Naval Analyses: Russia Studies Program

Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS): Crisis Crossroads: Ukraine.

Council on Foreign Relations: Europe and Eurasia: Russia.

Foreign Policy Research Institute: Russia.

Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, Stanford University: Assessing the Ukraine-Russia Crisis.

Institute for the Study of War: Ukraine Conflict Updates

Mrachek, Alexis. “Russia,” in Assessing Threats to U.S. Vital Interests. Heritage Foundation, October 20, 2021.

RAND Corporation: Russia’s War in Ukraine: Insights from RAND

Understanding the Russo-Ukrainian War: A Guide From War on the Rocks

5. International Sources for Russia/Ukraine Military and Strategic Analysis

Changing Character of War Centre, University of Oxford

Chatham House: Regions: Russia and Eurasia

FOI (Swedish Defence Research Agency): Russia and Eurasia.

International Crisis Group: Ukraine.

NATO Parliamentary Assembly: Documents on Russia

Royal United Services Institute (RUSI): Crisis over Ukraine and European Security