The largest military reform since the Second World War began in Russia in 2008. The military reform, or the new face of the Armed Forces, stretches to the 2020s. Several significant objectives have been set for the reform. These concern among other things the command and control system, personnel and organisational structures, training and equipment, as well as social issues. A significant change is giving up the mass army of the Soviet era. In Russia's current threat scenario, a large scale war is no longer considered likely, albeit at least possible in theory. Mobile and well-equipped and well-trained troops correspond better to the threats of today. The size of the Armed Forces' personnel was decreased and its structure was changed to better correspond with current tasks. The training system has also undergone considerable change. The traditional training system has been replaced with course-based instruction. The decrease in the amount of professional instructors is considered a loss. Hundreds of billions of roubles will be used annually for equipment. An objective is that at least 70% of the Armed Forces' materiel will be at an appropriate level in 2020. The Russian military reform has the firm backing of President Vladimir Putin. Under his lead, the military reform has a good chance of succeeding. The economic recession is the greatest risk factor that could slow down and stop the reform.