SUMMARY The driving idea behind the research part of this thesis is angled towards the definiton of the role and impact which the strategic military exercises Zapad-2017 and Zapad-2021 have achieved within the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. Considering the fact that the genesis of these and other strategic exercises can be found in the rich and complex Russian military history, it can be said that these exercises are an approximate indicator of the Russian Armed Forces' current heading in regards to military development and state relations with Russia's western neighbors. However, in order to offer a well-rounded understanding of the importance of these strategic exercises, this thesis firstly offers an insight into the unique Russian understanding of the security domain and challenges, which is in turn founded on a specific state and military strategic culture. The thesis also offers an overview of the specific standing and undeniable power which the military holds within the wider Russian society, as opposed to Western militaries stationed within democratic countries, as well as a look into the military modernization and reformation programs carried out from the twilight of the Soviet Union till today. The main part of the thesis is focused on an analysis of the two aforementioned and latest strategic military exercises conducted in Russia's Western Military District. The analysis is made through the lens of relevant criteria and thus offers additional insight into Russian strategic thinking. This is further facilitated by offering the definitons of Russia's outlook into the conceptual framework of warfighting, military power, combat power, role and various kinds of military exercises and, lastly, the conduct of military operations on a strategic scale. In the final part of the thesis, the author offers his own conclusions regarding not only the importance of yesterday's strategic exercises but also their relevance in shedding light on the ongoing Russian military invasion of Ukraine. In addition, using creative and critical thinking, assumptions about forthcoming Russian strategic military exercises in regards to the new Military Doctrine document are offered.