A Fortress at the Centre of Moscow
The Kremlin is not just a building. It is the fortified historic complex in central Moscow that serves as the political nerve centre of the Russian Federation. Its red-brick walls and iconic towers enclose cathedrals, palaces, and the official residence of the President of Russia.
Seat of Authority Across Eras
Since the Middle Ages, the Kremlin has been the seat of Russian rulers — from tsars to Soviet premiers and now presidents. It symbolises continuity of centralised power, adapting through monarchy, communism, and modern authoritarianism. Today, when analysts say “the Kremlin,” they usually mean the Russian government itself: the presidency, its inner circle of security elites, and the apparatus through which Russia projects both domestic control and foreign influence.
Symbol of Modern Power
In contemporary geopolitics, the Kremlin functions as more than an architectural landmark. It is shorthand for Moscow’s strategy of hybrid warfare — the blend of military force, disinformation, cyber operations, and economic leverage. For adversaries, the Kremlin represents not only Russia’s political decision-making but also the source of destabilising operations beyond its borders.
Dual Identity: Monument and Command Centre
At its core, the Kremlin embodies a paradox: a cultural monument listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage site, and simultaneously, the command centre of a state waging war in Ukraine and contesting the European order. Its walls stand as stone witnesses to centuries of conflict, while inside them, decisions continue to shape the trajectory of Eurasia and the wider world.
