If it wasn't for the intervention of Britain and Austria-Hungary, Russian mass man-powered forces could have seized them independence. The retreat of Russia after the threats from Britain and Austro-Hungry allowed Russia to realize that they were still not developed as they thought and that any future war without a major modernization would be devastating.
The 20th century was a turning point to Russia's modernization despite a painful defeat in the early years at the Russo-Japanese War 1904-1905. However if it wasn't for the war Russia would never had realized the vital fields it needs to improve and modernize such as the navy, machine guns, railway system, etc. The Military conflict that gave a steady pathway for the making of modern Russia was the civil war. Happening at the same time as the great world war 1914-1918, Russia however pulled out of the war, due to its unpopularity amongst the public. It left them feeling weak and defeated again. Furthermore the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk 1918 and the Bolshevik Revolution made Russia's situation worse, as 1/3 of the population was lost in the unasked war and only to be left more vulnerable by the Russian civil war 1918-1923. Even though the revolution weakened Russia's industrial powers, the civil war was the final knock to the already weak Tsarist Russia and a clear path for some serious modernization. .
Under Stalin, Russia flourished and modernized rapidly. The war with Poland 1921-22 was won by help from France but also due to the NEP. Massive industrialisation soon made Russia the biggest power. Khaji Gol 1939 military conflict between Japan, saw Soviets Union's first developed modern military and soon after the Patriotic war broke out in 1939, the new modernised force was presented to the world. The Russia gained quick and easy victory in the beginning of the war with Pyrrhic victory (Finland), however winning against Germany towards the end was vital, as the reason for Russia to modernise was to stop home invasion and to prosper, and therefore outstanding Nazi Germany invading Russia 1941 was crucial.
