What form of government is Russia categorized as?

Russia is categorized as a centralized authoritarian state. This classification reflects its political structure and the concentration of power within a central authority, particularly in the hands of the president and associated government bodies. The governance style is characterized by limited political pluralism, restricted civil liberties, and a significant influence of the state over public life and the media.

While Russia has some features of a federal republic due to its division into various federal subjects, the overall political dynamics and government control do not align with a federal republic's democratic principles. The term "democratic state" is misleading in the context of Russia, as meaningful democratic processes are often undermined. Additionally, referring to it as a monarchy overlooks the current political framework, which lacks hereditary succession.

In summary, the description of Russia as a centralized authoritarian state captures the essence of its political environment, where power is centralized and dissent is limited.