Mapping the globe, and the revolution in Russia's geospatial capability

This chapter outlines Russia’s geospatial evolution from its inheritance of the Soviet global mapping project towards a unified geographic information space, and evaluates the strategic advantages this offers. It explores how the legacy of the Soviet project has provided Russia with an unparalleled geospatial resource and with a “mental map” that underpins an ability to conduct globally integrated operations. This is becoming increasingly relevant when the importance of mental maps and geographic communication is only growing in an era of new global challenges and renewed Great Power Competition. The chapter also explains how Russia’s subsequent investment in core geospatial technologies, such as its GLONASS satellite navigation system and geographical information systems (GIS), has enhanced its geospatial capabilities. These technological developments form part of a wider geospatial revolution that serves to both enable and advance Russia’s pursuit of its national economic and military goals. A better understanding of these developments will become progressively more important in moving towards a future of contested global geopolitics.