Russian Politics - Armed Forces of the Russian Federation
Armed Forces of the Russian Federation are represented by five types of forces capable of defending the country on land, sea and air (space). These include: strategic forces, land forces, missile formations, air defense, air force and navy, air assault troops, military space forces, and army rear service as well as the armed forces troops subordinate to the Ministry of Defense.
Troops are deployed in six military districts (not coinciding with the administrative division): Leningrad, Moscow, North Caucasus, Volga-Urals, Siberian and Far East).
Russia has four fleets: the Baltic, Northern, the Pacific, and the Black Sea.
Formation of armed forces is carried out by the draft of healthy men of Russian Federation aged 18 to 27 on the territorial principle, as well as (since 2003) the service contract. The term of military service is 1 year. It can be replaced by alternative civilian service.
