What are the goals of the Russian army?

Vice-President of the Academy of Geopolitical Problems, Konstantin Sivkov, talks about what the contemporary Russian army should look like and what challenges it faces depending on different types of threat. The expert also shares his opinion about why and in what circumstances we need a contract-based army and to what extent it is needed in Russia. For example, in Ukraine, on October 14th 2013, Viktor Yanukovych signed a decree on the abolition of conscription. This initiative is part of the State program on reforming the Armed Forces of Ukraine by 2017. From now on, almost all kinds of Ukrainian troops (except for interior forces) will be comprised of contract soldiers. Russia, which is also reforming its armed forces, has not yet decided to give up conscription. Nevertheless, the Russian army is already hiring professional contract soldiers.