Hello, I'm an expert in historical studies with a particular focus on World War I. I'm here to provide you with a detailed answer to your question about when Russia declared war during that conflict.

World War I, also known as the Great War, was a global war originating in Europe that lasted from 28 July 1914 to 11 November 1918. It was one of the deadliest conflicts in history, involving more than 30 countries and leading to significant political changes, including the fall of several major empires.

The immediate cause of the war was the **assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria** on June 28, 1914. This event set off a chain reaction of alliances and declarations of war among the major European powers.
Austria-Hungary, seeking to punish the perceived instigators of the assassination, which they believed were Serbian nationalists, issued an ultimatum to Serbia. When Serbia's response was deemed unsatisfactory by Austria-Hungary, they declared war on July 28, 1914.

Now, focusing on Russia, it's important to understand its geopolitical position and its alliances at the time. Russia was part of the Triple Entente, an alignment with France and the United Kingdom, which was formed as a counter to the Triple Alliance of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy (though Italy would later switch sides).

Russia's Mobilization: In response to the Austro-Hungarian declaration of war on Serbia, Russia began mobilizing its armed forces. This was a significant move because Russia had a large but slow-moving military, and full mobilization took time. Russia's mobilization was seen as a threat by Germany, which was worried about a two-front war, with Russia in the east and France in the west.

Declaration of War by Russia: On August 1, 1914, Russia declared war on Germany. This was a direct response to Germany's earlier declaration of war on Russia. The German declaration was a result of Germany's own mobilization and the Schlieffen Plan, which was a strategic military plan to avoid a two-front war by quickly defeating France before turning to face Russia.

The Schlieffen Plan was critical in understanding the rapid escalation of the conflict. It required Germany to quickly move through neutral Belgium to attack France, bypassing the heavily fortified French-German border. This invasion of Belgium led to the **United Kingdom's declaration of war on Germany** on August 4, 1914, as the UK was obligated by the Treaty of London (1839) to defend Belgium's neutrality.

The war that ensued was one of the most devastating in human history, with millions of casualties and far-reaching consequences that reshaped the world. It led to the end of several monarchies, the reorganization of national borders, and the establishment of the League of Nations, which was a precursor to the United Nations.

In summary, while the specific question was about Russia's declaration of war, it's clear that the events leading up to and following this declaration were part of a complex web of alliances, political tensions, and military strategies that characterized the onset of World War I.

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August 1, 1914On August 1, 1914, four days after Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, two more great European powers--Russia and Germany--declare war on each other; the same day, France orders a general mobilization.read more >>