Development and Changes in Russian Military Strategy (18C-Early 19C)

 An important period in the development of Russia's military strategy was the 18th century.

The characteristics of this period can be seen as active foreign policy and promotion of maximal national function. The reforms implemented by Peter the Great made it possible to organize the military and expand equipment. For the first time in history, a national army was established to supplement the quota based on military service obligations by conscription. The characteristics of Russia's military strategy at that time were its aggressiveness, combination of offensive and defensive operations, and its goal of destroying the enemy's main forces.

The development of military strategies in the late 18th and early 19th centuries was related to the creation of large-scale armies. The main characteristic of Russia's military strategy was its combat performance to achieve strategic goals and gain leadership by decisive attacks. At this time, Russian troops participated in most wars and military disputes on the European continent.

Schwarov (1710-1762) was one of the outstanding commanders in Russian history and stated the importance of war theory through his own theoretical research that could raise war art and all military problems to an academic level.

Lumyanchev (1725-1796) submitted a wide range of military reform plans, arguing that Russia should have its own military system, different from Western Europe, based on national experiences considering its history and geographical characteristics. For the first time, he argued that military strategies are national and must take into account the country's geographic strategic situation. He also stressed the need to carefully consider the source of military expenditure and understand human/financial resources spent for the military and military, emphasizing that the nation's military power depends on economic power and military assets.

The most significant development of Russia's military strategy was the 1812 war against French forces (the motherland war), the Russian military action under Kutuzov's command in this war, and the expedition to Western Europe from 1813 to 1814.  The characteristics of this war are, first, various forms of strategic action that exhausts the enemy during retreat, second, solid defense and counterattack in advantageous positions, and third, strategic pursuit.

Kutuzov is the founder of a strategy contrary to the "achievement of victory by a single showdown" pursued by French military commanders in the war against Napoleon, a battle coordinated by time and space, and a total strategy in harmony with the task force.

In determining the mission and method of strategic military action, competent Russian commanders based on the possibility of mass migration of the nation's human/material reserve resources and demanded an understanding of economic and political relations. (President Kutuzov described the political situation as determining the type of war.)

In the wars of the first half of the 19th century, the need to carry out military operations of various scales was raised, and in the Russian military led by Kutuzov, operational elements such as armed forces working on different axes to achieve unified strategic purposes.