Russia's Depth Problem
This map illustrates the relationship between defensive frontage and strategic depth along Russia’s western approaches.
The outer line represents Russia’s current exposed military contact zone with NATO, stretching from the High North through the Baltic region. At approximately 2,600 kilometres, this is a long, segmented frontier located close to major population centres and lacking significant natural barriers.
The inner arc represents a shorter, interior defensive line that would exist if the Baltic–Black Sea corridor functioned as neutral buffer space. At roughly 1,200 kilometres, this line is anchored on forest belts, marshland, and river systems, providing greater depth, shorter interior lines, and more defensible terrain.
The shaded corridor highlights the geographic space that has historically served as a buffer between Russia and Western Europe. Control, neutrality, or alignment within this zone has repeatedly shaped the security architecture of the region.
The map does not depict political legitimacy or endorse territorial outcomes. It visualises how distance, terrain, and frontage length influence military planning and the logic of negotiated settlements.
In strategic terms, the compression of defensive frontage by roughly half explains why buffer space remains a persistent objective in Russian security thinking, regardless of leadership or ideology.
Russia's Depth Problem
Context & Analysis
This map illustrates the relationship between defensive frontage and strategic depth along Russia’s western approaches.
The outer line represents Russia’s current exposed military contact zone with NATO, stretching from the High North through the Baltic region. At approximately 2,600 kilometres, this is a long, segmented frontier located close to major population centres and lacking significant natural barriers.
The inner arc represents a shorter, interior defensive line that would exist if the Baltic–Black Sea corridor functioned as neutral buffer space. At roughly 1,200 kilometres, this line is anchored on forest belts, marshland, and river systems, providing greater depth, shorter interior lines, and more defensible terrain.
The shaded corridor highlights the geographic space that has historically served as a buffer between Russia and Western Europe. Control, neutrality, or alignment within this zone has repeatedly shaped the security architecture of the region.
The map does not depict political legitimacy or endorse territorial outcomes. It visualises how distance, terrain, and frontage length influence military planning and the logic of negotiated settlements.
In strategic terms, the compression of defensive frontage by roughly half explains why buffer space remains a persistent objective in Russian security thinking, regardless of leadership or ideology.