The

Russian Federation Russia (, , ), or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country spanning Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. It is the largest country in the world, with its internationally recognised territory covering , and encompassing one-eig ...

inherited the

military ranks of the Soviet Union The military ranks of the Soviet Union were those introduced after the October Revolution of 1917. At that time the Imperial Russian Table of Ranks was abolished, as were the privileges of the pre-Soviet Russian nobility. Immediately after the ...

, although the insignia and

uniform A uniform is a variety of clothing worn by members of an organization while participating in that organization's activity. Modern uniforms are most often worn by armed forces and paramilitary organizations such as police, emergency services, ...

were altered slightly. The Russian Armed Forces have two styles of ranks: army-style ranks and navy-style ranks. The army and air force use only army-style ranks.

Ranks and insignia

The following is a table ranks of the

armed forces of the Russian Federation The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation (, ), commonly referred to as the Russian Armed Forces, are the military forces of Russia. In terms of active-duty personnel, they are the world's fifth-largest military force, with at least two m ...

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England ** English national ide ...

translation is given first, followed by

Russian Russian(s) refers to anything related to Russia, including: *Russians (, ''russkiye''), an ethnic group of the East Slavic peoples, primarily living in Russia and neighboring countries *Rossiyane (), Russian language term for all citizens and peo ...

version, then by English transliteration.

Officers

Other ranks

Rank titles are sometimes modified due to a particular assignment, branch or status: * The ranks of servicemen assigned to a "guards" unit or formation are preceded by the word "guards"; * The ranks of servicemen in the legal, medical and veterinary branches are followed by "of justice", "of the medical service", and "of the veterinary service", respectively; * The ranks of servicemen in the reserve or retired are followed by "of the reserve" or "in retirement", respectively; * The rank descriptor "of aviation" was officially abolished but is still commonly used.

Reforms

Insignia reform (2010)

On 11 March 2010, Law No.2010-293 of the President of Russia introduced a new set of rank insignia. Privates, airmen and seamen now wear plain shoulder epaulettes. Senior NCOs had their chevrons replaced by plain bars (small horizontal bars for corporals and sergeants increasing in number with seniority, large horizontal bars for staff sergeants, and vertical bars for master sergeants). These rank badges mirror the insignia of both the Imperial Russian Army and the Soviet Army in the 1970s. Warrant officers and officers received new shoulder rank epaulettes and all general officer insignia now reflect service affiliation in the duty dress uniform. The parade dress gold epaulettes have been retained. The insignia for a marshal of the Russian Federation retained the coat of arms of Russia and the marshal's star.

Rank and insignia reform (2013)

In 2013, the insignia of an army general now include the marshal's star, surmounted by a red star in a wreath. In Spring 2013, the warrant officer ranks, which had been removed as a result of the 2008 Russian military reform, were reinstated.

Insignia reform (2020)

Explanatory notes

References

Citations

General and cited references

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External links

Federal Law No. 58-FZ from March 12, 1998
"On military duty and military service" (in Russian)
Presidential Decree No. 531 from May 8, 2005
"On military uniform, rank insignia of the servicemen and state bodies' rank insignia" (in Russian) {{Authority control Russian Federation Army