by maree » 04 Feb 2009, 13:10
The newly reemergent Russia retained most of the ranks of the Soviet Army with some minor changes.
The principal difference from the usual Western style is some variation in generals' rank titles, in one case at least, Colonel General, derived from German usage.
Most of the rank names were borrowed from existing German/Prussian, French, English, Dutch and Polish ranks upon the formation of Russian regular army in the late 1600s, and have lasted with few changes of title through the Soviet period.