In this episode, we analyse who is really in charge of the Russian military and its nuclear weapons. The answer is far from simple. Does Putin have overwhelming control or does the military have a decisive say? What are the implications of civil-military relations on Russia’s foreign policy, defense reform, and domestic politics? And who ultimately controls the Russia’s nuclear weapons?
ECFR’s new podcast on Russia, “Under the Overcoat”, explores the deeper trends beneath the surface of daily politics. To investigate who controls the Russian military and security services, our host Kadri Liik is joined by Kirill Shamiev, ECFR visiting fellow, and Pavel Podvig, director of the Russian Nuclear Forces Project.
