Join the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) for a talk with Dr. Lester Grau and Charles Bartles on their understanding of Russia's preparations for large-scale combat operations, how these preparations are substantially different from those in Soviet times and how they view these preparations in terms of brigades/divisions, army groups/army corps, joint operational commands/fronts and the Russian General Staff.

Russian preparations for the conduct of large-scale combat operations are typically discussed in terms of how Russia has conducted combat operations in Crimea, Eastern Ukraine and Syria. These discussions focus on information operations, the use of subterfuge through the "polite people" or "little green men," and particularly, the use of Battalion Tactical Groups (BTGs) as Russian military force projection. What is seldom discussed is how Russia envisions the conduct of large-scale combat operations. 

Speakers:

Lester W. Grau, senior analyst and research director, FMSO

Charles K. Bartles, junior analyst and Russian linguist, FMSO

Moderator:

Jeff Mankoff, senior fellow, Russia and Eurasia Program, CSIS

Discussant:

Michael Kofman, senior research scientist, Russia Studies Program, CNA