Stanislav Ivanov, Leading Researcher

 Center for International Security, IMEMO RAS

Candidate of Historical Sciences

Russia continues to actively carry out its peacekeeping activities in three main areas: in various UN operations and missions; in peacekeeping operations on the territory of the member states of the Commonwealth of Independent States; in international humanitarian relief, post-conflict reconstruction and disaster relief efforts around the world.

And although at present the military formations of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation do not directly participate in UN peacekeeping operations, nevertheless, in a state of readiness for action within the framework of this organization from Russia are: a battalion tactical group of airborne troops, a military police battalion, engineering Sapper Company and field military medical hospital. It should be noted that, according to established international practice, other permanent members of the UN Security Council also prefer to refrain from participating in UN peacekeeping operations with their military contingents, providing this opportunity to “third countries” (Bangladesh, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Egypt, Rwanda, Indonesia etc.). China can be considered an exception in this regard, but it is far from the first place in participation in UN military operations.

Today, Russian participation in UN peacekeeping is realized mainly through the deployment of military observers, staff officers and civilian police officers to the missions, who take part in eight peacekeeping operations (PKOs) and one special political mission under the auspices of the UN. In total, 82 Russian citizens from among the military and police are involved in these purposes. Through the Russian Ministry of Defense, 48 people are participating in six UN operations: in the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Western Sahara, South Sudan, the Middle East and Cyprus. Through the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, 34 employees participate in the PKO in South Sudan, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cyprus, the Sudanese region of Abyei and Kosovo.

In the context of the growing confrontation between the Russian Federation and the collective West and the general aggravation of the international situation, the US authorities expelled Russian representatives from the country in the Military Staff Committee of the Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the UN in New York. Due to the systematic refusal to issue US visas to Russian experts, the Russian Ministry of Defense was unable to send its representatives selected for appointment to positions in the peacekeeping structures of the UN Secretariat. Undoubtedly, these unfriendly moves by Washington limit the actions of Russian representatives to build up efforts in the field of peacekeeping and humanitarian actions.

Nevertheless, it can be stated that the activities of Russian peacekeepers are invariably highly appreciated by the UN Secretariat and make a significant contribution to strengthening the authority of this organization. Russia is also a conscientious payer to the PKO budgets and other UN charitable funds, has established itself as one of the leaders in the supply of goods and services for UN operations, providing up to 40% of air transportation within the framework of UN peacekeeping and special political missions.

The Russian Federation regularly trains domestic and foreign employees of military and law enforcement agencies on the basis of peacekeeping centers of the Russian Defense Ministry and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation. Thus, in May-June 2022, the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs organized a training course with the participation of 20 representatives of African states (the Republic of Zimbabwe, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, the Republic of Cameroon, the State of Libya, Burkina Faso) and 16 employees of the internal affairs bodies of the Russian Federation, as a result of which graduates were awarded certificates of professional development under the additional professional program “Improving the qualifications of employees of the internal affairs bodies of the Russian Federation – candidates for participation in peacekeeping missions.”

Particular attention is paid to the participation of the Russian Federation in maintaining peace and security on the territory of the CIS member states. For these purposes, the CSTO Peacekeeping Forces with a total strength of 3,600 people have been formed. From the Russian Federation, a peacekeeping brigade in the amount of 2,500 military personnel was allocated to their composition. Every year, the military contingents of the CSTO member states work out joint actions to resolve crisis situations during the “Indestructible Brotherhood” operational-strategic exercises.

In connection with the appeal of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Tokayev and in view of the threat to the national security and sovereignty of the Republic of Kazakhstan, caused, among other things, by outside interference, the CSTO Collective Security Council, in accordance with Article 4 of the Collective Security Treaty, decided to send the Collective Peacekeeping Forces of the CSTO to the Republic Kazakhstan for a limited time period in order to stabilize and normalize the situation in this country. 2030 peacekeepers and 250 pieces of equipment from Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan promptly arrived in Kazakhstan, which from January 6 to 13, 2022 assisted the law enforcement agencies of Kazakhstan in restoring proper order in the capital and other cities of the country.

The Russian military contingent (431 people) takes part in peacekeeping operations in the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova as part of the Joint Peacekeeping Forces, the main tasks of which are to ensure security and the ceasefire regime in the conflict zone, monitor compliance with the terms of the truce, and promote the maintenance of law and order.

Since November 2020, a Russian peacekeeping contingent of 2,382 military personnel has been deployed in Nagorno-Karabakh, the main task of which is also to ensure control over the ceasefire regime and ensure security in the conflict zone. In addition, Russian peacekeepers are involved in demining the area and provide humanitarian assistance to the population of the region.

The Russian Federation also participates in international efforts for post-conflict reconstruction of territories, for example, in the Syrian Arab Republic, overcoming the consequences of civil wars and emergencies, providing urgent humanitarian assistance to the population affected by hostilities and natural disasters in different regions of the world. Humanitarian aid is delivered through both bilateral and multilateral channels, which include the World Food Program (WFP), the World Health Organization (WHO) and others. Russia is interested in new authoritative international organizations such as the SCO and BRICS also paying attention to this important aspect of world politics.

Currently, the possibility of increasing Russia’s contribution to the peacekeeping activities of the UN and other international organizations is being discussed without prejudice to the country’s defense capability and taking into account its political and economic interests. In particular, discussions are underway to increase the representation of military observers in UN missions, to develop a doctrinal document relating to peacekeeping activities, on the issue of approving the status of “Participant in a peacekeeping operation”.