Exercise Kavkaz 2020 – A Final Test of Russian Military Reform?
Exercise Kavkaz 2020 – A Final Test of Russian Military Reform?

Author(s): Daivis Petraitis, Vira Ratsiborynska, Baris Kirdemir, Valeriy Akimenko
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences, Politics, International relations/trade, Security and defense, Military policy, Geopolitics
Published by: NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence
Keywords: Russia; military exercise; Kavkaz 2020; Russian military reform; geopolitics; international relations; annual training programme; military power; Kremlin;
Summary/Abstract: The year 2020 was one of tectonic geopolitical shifts. Strategic competition between Russia and the West intensified, while the COVID-19 pandemic had major strategic implications globally and affected the state of international affairs. In 2020 Russia conducted Kavkaz 2020, a major exercise from its annual cycle, which aimed to convey the Kremlin’s ability to adapt to changing conditions of warfare and to project and integrate military power. In a period of international turmoil and economic recession linked to the effects of the pandemic, Kavkaz 2020 was a cornerstone of Russia’s campaign to leverage its annual training programme, display military power and upgraded military capabilities to its allies, partners and neighbours, as well as to demonstrate operational readiness to its potential adversaries. Messages communicated before and during Kavkaz 2020 demonstrated how Russia could use its military element of state power to achieve the geopolitical or political objectives Kremlin desires in the European information space.

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