SOVIET ARMED FORCES Meaning and
Definition
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The term "Soviet Armed Forces" refers to the military forces employed by the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) during its existence from 1922 to 1991. It encompassed various branches of the military, including the Ground Forces, Navy, Air Forces, Strategic Missile Forces, and the Border Troops. After the Bolshevik revolution of 1917, the newly formed government reorganized the existing Imperial Russian Army into the Red Army, laying the foundation for the Soviet Armed Forces.
The Soviet Armed Forces were characterized by their size and strength, at times being one of the largest military forces in the world. They played a crucial role during World War II, effectively battling Nazi Germany on the Eastern Front and contributing to the defeat of the Axis powers. Following the war, the Soviet Union became a superpower and engaged in a Cold War rivalry with the United States, resulting in enormous military buildup for both nations.
The Soviet Armed Forces were under the control of the Communist Party leadership, with a centralized command structure. The forces were responsible for the defense of the USSR, as well as projecting Soviet influence abroad through military interventions and supporting socialist governments in other countries.
The dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 led to the end of the Soviet Armed Forces. The military forces of the newly independent states, such as Russia, inherited certain assets and personnel from the Soviet military but underwent significant restructuring and downsizing.
