An edited book published by Manchester University Press in 2022 attempted to gather together perspectives on Russian strategy, if there is one (a question the book starts off with). Andrew Monaghan is the editor of the book, Russian Grand Strategy in the Era of Global Power Competition. Some quotes:

“Strategy is not simply about the statement of long-term goals or the preparation of plans – though these are essential features. Instead, it is the executive process involved in a coherent and consistent formulation of a strategic agenda and then its implementation. It involves the coordination of the various tools of the state – economic, military, diplomatic, and others – and resources, and the attempt to mitigate the perennial obstacles of fog and friction. Without this executive process that comes from implementation, even good plans come to nothing. The lens of strategy reveals priorities, the leadership’s ability to create power, and the trajectory of development.” (p. 11)

“The second theme is about “mental maps”: the “landscape of the official mind”, or how Moscow sees the world and divides it up. Mental maps are a mix of objective knowledge and subjective perceptions that reflect the construction of the world around us. They are symbolic representations of spatial features that shape decisions and strategy, shaping perceptions of areas of interaction. At one level, this is important because it is about how Moscow sees the world to be changing in the twenty-first century, including the shifts underway in global economic and military power. This reflects the imperative for Moscow to develop diversified connections with the non-Western world and to exploit new markets. At another level, it is about understanding geopolitical space, particularly connectivity and how in Moscow’s thinking different regions can be accessed and linked together.” (p. 14)

“Russia’s ability to compete in the international economy is often underestimated. Its potential to use economic instruments to advance its interests abroad is significant because its comparative advantage lies in the sale of a number of strategically important goods. Not only is Russia one of the most important producers and exporters of hydrocarbons, but it is also a leading exporter of armaments, nuclear power plants (NPPs), and grain. This has enabled Moscow to extend its economic and political influence well beyond traditional markets in Europe and the former Soviet Union.” (p. 98)

“Since Vladimir Putin was first elected president in 2000, forecasts, concepts, strategies, and programs have become central to the governance of Russia. The Russian leadership has devoted considerable attention to establishing a long-term horizon to economic, social, and security decision making, and activity designated “strategic planning”.” (p. 155)

“As the chapters in this volume make clear, Russian activity is to a considerable extent the result of forethought and planning which has both increased Moscow’s capability to act and outlined a number of priorities which the Russian leadership seeks to pursue. These plans provide a foundation, one which can and does sometimes set up opportunities – not in the sense of ad hoc reactions to immediate events, but in preparing to benefit when they arise opportunity is created as a consequence of this effort to generate strategy, a by-product. The formulation of plans and the attempts to implement them in an integrated way are what has characterized the Russian leadership’s approach since the early to mid 2000s, and an active effort to shape events.” (p. 181)