| According to the BBC, there were 90000 women in the Russian Army in 2002.. The Russian Ground Forces (Russian: Сухопутные войска Российской Федерации, tr.: Suhopútnuiye voyská Rosseeyskoy Federácii) are the land forces of the Russian Federation, formed from parts of the collapsing Soviet Army in 1992. The formation of these forces posed economic challenges after the collapse of the Soviet Union, and required reforms to professionalize the force during the transition. While the Russian Ground Forces in their present form are only about twenty years old, Russian officers trace their antecedents' history through the Imperial Russian era back to the time of Kievan Rus'. Under President Vladimir Putin, more funds were committed, the Ground Forces Headquarters was reestablished, and some progress on professionalisation occurred. Plans called for reducing mandatory service to 18 months in 2007, and to one year by 2008 but a mixed Ground Force, of both contract soldiers and conscripts, would remain. (As of 2009, the length of conscript service was 12 months.)[28] More money is arriving both for personnel and equipment; Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said in June 2008 that monetary allowances for servicemen in permanent-readiness units will be raised significantly.[33] Enlisted pay will rise to 65000 rubles (US$2750) per month, and the pay of officers on combat duty in rapid response units will rise to 100000--150000 rubles (US$4230--$6355) per month. However, while the ... |
