The land of Russia is divided into two distinct parts: the western and the eastern parts. The western region is comprised mostly of lowland plains and hills, while the eastern region is made up of mountainous areas. The western region contains the Kola-Karelian region, the Russian Plain, the Ural Mountains, the West Siberian Plain, and the Central Siberian Plateau. There are also mountains in the south and east.

The climate in Russia is predominantly continental. Much of the country lies more than two hundred miles (250 km) away from the sea. The mountain ranges in Russia prevent the cooling effects of the sea, especially in European and northern Siberia. While there are occasional colder or warmer days, the Russian climate remains largely continental, with brief periods of change during spring and autumn.

The climate of Russia is extremely harsh, but the harsh weather has protected the country from invasion in the past. The land is rich in crops, and the country has vast reserves of oil, gas, and precious metals. Although these resources make it an attractive place to visit, Russia also has its share of problems. Recent years have seen a number of terrorism attacks in the capitals of Moscow and St. Petersburg. In Volgograd, three suicide bombings targeted public transport, and two occurred within the same twenty-four-hour period.

Russia has historically been a major power in the region. Since 1783, when Catherine the Great annexed the Crimea, it has been a vital player in the area. It has regularly gone head-to-head with the Ottoman Empire and Turkey. The Russians have always sought to protect their interests, and this has often led to wars in the region.

The country has an area of over seventeen million square miles. This makes it the largest country in the world and is twice the size of the contiguous United States. The vast expanses of land make the landscape of Russia a remarkably diverse region, displaying both monotony and diversity. The climate, vegetation, and soils of the country differ tremendously from place to place.

Russia has historically had a difficult time defining its national identity. There has never been a “master race” in Russia. While different ethnicities have coexisted within the Soviet Union’s borders, they were not integrated into a single nation. As a result, the Russians have a strong sense of national identity during times of war. Moreover, they are aware of their place in the international community and are eager to share in its life, but they are also suspicious of the intentions of the outside world. As such, the Russian political matrix is a complex one, and the Russians frequently switch between nationalism and internationalism.

The war in Ukraine has not stopped, and the Russian military has suffered several setbacks. Such reversals are normal in war. However, prudent commanders try to predict them and respond to them in order to mitigate their negative impact while the war continues.