Army General (Russia)

Please see "Army General" for other nations which use this rank

Army General (Russian: генерал армии, general armii) is the second highest military rank in the Russian Federation, inferior only to a Marshal and superior to a Colonel General. It is a direct counterpart of the Soviet rank, General of the Army (USSR).

At present it is also the highest rank in the Air Force, Artillery, Military Space Troops, Armoured Troops, Engineer Troops and Signal Troops, unlike the Soviet Union where similarly ranked officers were called Marshals and Chief Marshals of a branch.

The corresponding naval rank is Admiral of the Fleet.

Rank insignia

The rank insignia is shoulder straps with four stars in a row like in USSR in 1943—1974. Before 1997, like in Soviet Army from 1974, there were one big star and army emblem on straps, generals wore a "small" Marshal's Star. But when in 1993 ranks of "marshal of a branch" in Russian Federation were abolished, there was no more reason for special rank insignia for generals. By the president's decree of January 27, 1997 generals regained 1943-like straps with 4 stars in a row. A decree of Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of April 15, 1981 № 4735-X «About marshal's rank insignia „Marshal's Star“…» was recognized as non-used in Russian Federation.

References