For a long period of time Russia’s efforts aimed at building an independent and competitive economic association on the post-Soviet space relied on Russia’s economic and «soft» power. Russia was the economic locomotive of the region, the largest regional investor and the strongest market of labor, attractive to workers from Central Asia. Is there a change in the strategic goals of Russian policy after the beginning of the Ukrainian crisis and the launch of the air campaign in Syria? The goals of Russian policy remain the same as before, but the instrument of the policy implementation has changed indeed. In the situation of the economic crisis Russia has lost a significant part of its economic attractiveness, but instead it offers a much demanded public service - security guarantees and stability of ruling regimes.

"Soft" power, "hard" power, security, military operations in Syria.