91 What Will Russia's Future Military Development Look Like? – Russia Seminar 2026

What drives Russia’s actions on the world stage? How is it using its resources to shape its future and global influence? What are the key challenges researchers face when studying Russia’s military development?This year’s Russia Seminar takes on these pressing questions.In this episode, Head of the Russia Group Simo Pesu and Senior Researcher Pentti Forsström reflect on how the Russia Seminar has grown and adapted over time. The second half of the episode explores the compelling themes of this year’s seminar, with insights from Associate Professor Juha Kukkola and Researcher Jonna Alava. The episode is hosted by Researcher Eemil Mitikka.___The annual Russia Seminar has established itself as a key forum for understanding Russia’s military and security policy. This year’s main theme is Russia’s War against Ukraine – Russia’s Future Military Development.The Seminar, taking place on February 11–12, 2026, will be streamed online via the National Defence University’s Youtube channel. You can find the full seminar programme on the National Defence University’s website