Modern Russian military ranks trace their roots to the Table of Ranks established by Peter the Great. Most of the rank names were borrowed from existing German/Prussian, French, English, Dutch, and Polish ranks upon the formation of the Russian regular army in the late 17th century.
Russian Tsardom The Kievan Rus had no standing army apart from small druzhina (), a permanent group of personal guards for the local knyaz (); an individual member of such a unit called a druzhinnik (). In times of war, the knyaz raised a militia comprising volunteers from the peasantry, and the druzhina served as the core of the troops. Each local knyaz served as the military leader of his troops. Such arrangements did not need permanent ranks or positions; they were created ad hoc, based on the task(s) at hand.
Upon the formation of Strelets troops in the mid-16th century, the low-level commanding officers were appointed to one of the following ranks:
strelets (), a basic soldier desyatnik (), acting as sergeant/corporal sotnik (), acting as captain
These were not personal ranks and were retained only as long as the officer held the position. For battles, the knyaz organized his troops into temporary high-level units, usually a polk (полк, Old Slavonic for group of troops), a regiment commanded by a golova (голова́, head) or voyevoda (воево́да, war leader); these commanding positions were not permanent and did not persist after the battle. The cossack cavalry units had their own ranks of Kazak (коза́к), yesaul (есау́л) and ataman (атама́н); they were not comparable to the strelets ranks.
Upon the formation of standing regiments (prikaz, later polk) by Ivan IV, new ranks insinuated themselves into the hierarchy between the existing grades: pyatidesyatnik (пятидеся́тник, of fifty men) acting as lieutenant, golova acting as colonel of the regiment (also, tysyatskiy (ты́сяцкий, 'of thousand men'). Later, a polugolova (полуголова́. half-golova) rank appeared; eventually golova was renamed polkovnik (полко́вник, of the polk), and polugolova was renamed podpolkovnik (sub-polkovnik). As usual, voyevoda was simply a commander of a large military group and not a rank of any kind.
Later, under the Romanov dynasty the companies of foreign mercenaries were formed; these incorporated the foreign ranks of Lieutenant and Rittmeister. They were later changed into the New Regiments of the Streltsy Troops and more Western ranks were adopted, including General. Finally, by 1680 the ranks of the New Regiments were unified with Strelets Troops.
Category Foreign regiments Streltsy Equivalent NATO rank Private ranks Soldat (солда́т), Reiter (рейта́р), Dragoon (драгу́н) Strelets (стреле́ц)OR-1The abbreviation "OR" stands for "Other Ranks / fr: sous-officiers et militaires du rang / ru:другие ранги, кроме офицероф" Private/Soldier Non-commissioned officer(s)(У́нтер-офице́р(ы)) Kapral (капра́л; en: corporal) Desyatnik (деся́тник; en: group leader of ten)OR-2 Corporal Podpraporshchik (подпра́порщик; en: praporshchik junjor rank) —OR-8 Master sergeant Company-grade officers(Обер-офице́р(ы)) Praporshchik (пра́порщик, Flag bearer basing on Old Slavonic prapor (прапор), flag) —OF-1bThe abbreviation "OF" stands for de: "Offizier / en: officer / fr: officier / ru: офицер"Officer cadet Ensign Leytenant, Poruchik (лейтена́нт, пору́чик/ porucznik (latter is based on pl)) Pyatidesyatnik (пятидеся́тник; en: group leader of fifty)OF-1a 1st Lieutenant Kapitan, Rotmistr (ru: капита́н, ро́тмистр; the latter is adaptation of German Rittmeister) Sotnik (со́тник; en: group leader of one hundred)OF-2 Captain Line officers(Штаб-офицер(ы)) Mayor (ru: майо́р) —OF-3 Major Podpolkovnik, also polupolkovnik (полуполко́вник, a halv-polkovnik) Polugolova, also pyatisotenny golova (полуголова́, пятисо́тенный голова́)OF-4 Lieutenant Colonel Polkovnik (полко́вник, from Russian polk for regiment) Golova, also polkovnik (голова́, полко́вник)OF-5 Colonel General ranks General-mayor(ru: генера́л-майо́р) —OF-6 Major general General-poruchik(генера́л-пору́чик) —OF-7 Lieutenant general
Russian Empire
During the beginning of the 18th century, military ranks were frequently changed by the tsar during efforts to reform the army and create a strong Navy. These many changes were routinely documented in the Army's Rules of engagement since 1716 until they were finally incorporated into the first variant of Table of Ranks in 1722. Compared to Strelets Troops, a few more non-commissioned ranks were added, the soldier rank was replaced with many specialty ranks, and a few more General ranks were added. The naval ranks were created from scratch, ranks for the naval infantry and engineers would only come in the 19th century.
The officers were styled according to their rank as defined by the Table.
1722–1917: Army By 1722, the ranks of both enlisted staff and commissioned/non-commissioned officers were somewhat settled; these ranks survived until the Russian Revolution with only minor adjustments.
Captain-Poruchik rank is comparable to Lieutenant Captain. Note that Poruchik can sometimes be styled as Porutchik, as it was originally written by the tsar himself.
Commissioned officers of artillery and engineers enjoyed a handicap of 1 grade, and the Leib Guards units enjoyed a handicap of 2 grades, ending in Life Guards Colonel.
In the 1798–1884 timeline, the General ranks were streamlined and the Brigadier rank was abolished. The Captain-Poruchik rank was reestablished again, this time as Staff-Captain. The Second Major and First Major ranks were united. In 1826, the Russian Army adopted shoulder insignia and distinct Cossack cavalry ranks.
In 1884, Major and Captain-Lieutenant ranks were abolished again and the ranks below were shifted several grades up. The latter was not reintroduced until 1907, but then again abolished in 1911.
+ Ranks of the Imperial Russian Army Grade Category Army, Infantry Cavalry (from 1731) Artillery, Engineer Cossacks IGeneralsGeneralissimo (Генерали́ссимус) General-Fieldmarshal of Russia (генерал-фельдмаршал) IIGénéral en Chef (генера́л-анше́ф) (1730—1796) General of the Infantry (генера́л от инфанте́рии ) (1796–1917) Adjutant General (генера́л-адъюта́нт ) (1701–1917) Quartermaster General (генера́л-квартирме́йстер) (1701–1916)General of the Cavalry (генера́л от кавале́рии) General of the Artillery (генера́л от артилле́рии) (since 1796) General Feldzeugmeister (генера́л-фельдцейхме́йстер) until 1796 Engineer-General (инжене́р-генера́л) (since 1802) General Provisionsmeister (генера́л-провиантме́йстер) until 1796 No equivalent III General-Poruchik (генера́л-пору́чик) (until 1800)Lieutenant General (генера́л-лейтена́нт) (since 1800) General-Poruchik (генера́л-пору́чик) Lieutenant General (генера́л-лейтена́нт) IVMajor General (генера́л-майо́р) V Stab-ofizers Brigadier (бригади́р) (until 1798) — No equivalent VI Polkovnik (полко́вник)Polkovnik VII Podpolkovnik (подполко́вник) Krigskomissar logistics (Кригскомиссар по снабжению) 1713—1868PodpolkovnikPodpolkovnik (abolished 1884), Cossack major, Войсковой старшина (from 1884 onward)VIIIPremier/First Major (премье́р-майо́р) Second major (секу́нд-майо́р) (both until 1827), Major (майо́р)Major (майо́р)Cossack Major (войсковой старшина) (until 1884)Ober-ofizers — Kapitan (капита́н)Yesaul (есаул) IX Kapitan (капита́н) Rittmeister/Ride Master (ро́тмистр)Captain-Poruchik/Captain Lieutenant (капита́н-пору́чик) (until 1731 and since 1765)Junior Yesaul (подъесаул) X Captain-Poruchik/Captain lieutenant (капита́н-пору́чик) (until 1731)Stabs-Captain/Staff captain (штабс-капита́н) Stabs-Rittmeister/Staff-Ritmeister/Ride Master (штабс-ро́тмистр) (until 1798)Poruchik (пору́чик)Centurion (сотник) XILeytenant (лейтена́нт) or Poruchik (пору́чик) (since 1765)Sub-Poruchik/Sub-lieutenant (подпору́чик) (since 1765)Ensign (хорунжий) XIILieutenant (лейтена́нт) or Poruchik (пору́чик) (until 1765); Sub-Poruchik/Sub-lieutenant (подпору́чик) since 1765Sub-Poruchik/Sub-lieutenant (подпору́чик) (until 1765) XIIISub-Poruchik/Sub-lieutenant (подпору́чик) (until 1765)Bayonet-Junker (штык-ю́нкер); Praporshchik/Ensign (пра́порщик) since 1765No equivalent XIVPraporshchik/Fähnrich/Senior Ensign (пра́порщик / фе́нрих / фе́ндрик)Cornet (корне́т)Deputy Praporshchik/Ensign (зауряд-пра́порщик)No equivalentUnter-ofizersDeputy Praporshchik/Probationary Ensign (зауряд-пра́порщик) (since 1884) Sub-Praporshchik (подпра́порщик) (1826–1884) Feldwebel (фельдфе́бель) (1765–1826) Senior Sergeant (ста́рший сержа́нт)Wachtmeister/Watch Master (вáхмистр) (until 1884); none (since 1884)Deputy Praporshchik/Probationary Ensign (зауряд-пра́порщик) (since 1884) Sub-Praporshchik/Junior Ensign(подпра́порщик) (1826–1884) Feldwebel (фельдфе́бель) (1765–1826)No equivalentSub-Praporshchik (подпра́порщик) (since 1884) Feldwebel (фельдфе́бель) (1826–1884) Portupey Praporshchik (портупе́й пра́порщик) (1798–1826) Sergeant (сержа́нт) (1765–1798) Junior Sergeant (мл́адший сержа́нт)Wachtmeister (вáхмистр) (since 1884) Feldwebel (фельдфе́бель) (1826–1884) Estandart Junker (эстандáрт-ю́нкер) (1798–1826) Sub-Praporshchik/Junior Ensign (подпра́порщик) (since 1884) Feldwebel (фельдфе́бель) (1826–1884) Portupey Junker (портупéй-ю́нкер) (1798–1826)Junior Ensign (подхорунжий)Feldwebel (фельдфе́бель) (1884–1917) Sergeant (сержа́нт) (1826–1884) Sub-Praporshchik (подпра́порщик) (until 1826)Feldwebel (фельдфе́бель) (1884–1917) Sub-Praporshchik (подпра́порщик) (1765–1826) Gefreit-Corporal (гефре́йт-капра́л) (1731–1765)Feldwebel (фельдфе́бель) (1884–1917) Sub-Praporshchik (подпра́порщик) (until 1826)Wachtmeister (вáхмистр) (since 1884)Kaptenarmus (каптена́рмус); Senior Unteroffizier/Under Officer (ста́рший у́нтер-офице́р) (since 1800)Senior Gunner (старший фейерверкер)Senior Warden (старший урядник)Farrier (фурье́р)Corporal (капра́л); Unteroffizier (у́нтер-офице́р) (later Junior Unteroffizier) (младший унтер-офицер)Junior Gunner (младший фейерверкер)Junior Warden (младший урядник)PrivatesGefreiter (гефре́йтор)Bombardier (бомбардир)Trooper First Class (приказный)Private, Musketeer, Fusilier, Jaeger, Grenadier, Pikenier, Hajduk, Strelets, Archer, Rifleman etc. (рядовой, мушкетёр, фузилёр, е́герь, гренадёр, пикинёр, гайду́к, стреле́ц, лу́чник и т.д.)Dragoon, Hussar, Cuirassiers, Uhlan, Lancer, Chevau-léger, Horse Grenadier, Carabinier, etc. (драгу́н, гуса́р, кираси́р, улáн, ланцéр и т.д.)Cannonier, Gunner, Handlanger, Sapper, Pioneer, Miner, Pontooner etc. (канони́р, гандлаге́р, сапёр, пионе́р, минёр, понтонёр и т.д.)Cossack (каза́к)
1722–1917: Navy As stated earlier, most of the naval ranks and rates were formed from scratch in the 18th century, with many changes since then. Ranks for naval infantry, shore service personnel, and engineers would only come in the 19th century.