Field marshal (Russia)

The rank of Field Marshal (Russian: Генера́л-фе́льдмаршал, General-fel'dmarshal) was the highest military rank in the Russian Empire, Imperial Russia, and the Soviet Union. It was equivalent to a five-star general in many other militaries.

In Imperial Russia, the rank was introduced by Tsar Peter the Great in 1699. It was typically bestowed upon distinguished military leaders who had achieved significant victories in battle. While the rank was technically a military one, it could also be awarded to members of the imperial family and prominent political figures as a sign of prestige. The rank implied significant responsibilities within the Russian military command structure and usually included a staff. Those awarded the rank had usually held previous senior general officer ranks and demonstrated prolonged and outstanding military leadership abilities.

After the Russian Revolution of 1917, the rank was abolished.

The rank was reintroduced in the Soviet Union in 1940, though with the new title Marshal of the Soviet Union (Маршал Советского Союза). This new marshalate rank was specifically designated to be the highest military rank, and unlike the Tsarist era, it was only ever granted to career military officers who had proven themselves in command positions. While General-fel'dmarshal literally translated to "Field Marshal," the Soviet equivalent, Marshal of the Soviet Union, carried a slightly different connotation within its specific historical and political context. It represented the highest echelon of Soviet military power and was closely tied to the political leadership of the Communist Party.