DISINFO: Russian hybrid warfare does not exist, it is a concept created by NATO and by the West
SUMMARY
Russian hybrid warfare does not exist, it is a concept created by NATO and by the West to scare their fellow citizens, to shift attention away from numerous internal problems of the West and to label every Russian activity.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about NATO and the West.
This narrative fits into the broader disinformation theme about the West’s allegedly belligerent and hostile agenda against Russia, and about its alleged plans to destabilise and encircle Russia.
The tactics used by the Kremlin in Ukraine are a clear example of ‘hybrid warfare’ tools. Except for using the most recent technology, Russian hybrid warfare shows considerable continuity with both the goals and tactics that the Soviet intelligence services used during the Cold War and that Russia deployed in military interventions from 1991 onwards in Moldova and Georgia.
Russia has used conventional military means against Ukraine, but it has added a few twists to further frustrate and exhaust its victim. Russian troops, who even during the most sweeping phases of military operations against Ukraine in 2014-2015 were dressed in Russian military green uniforms without insignia and chevrons, were labelled “green men.” But there was no official declaration of war or even an admission by the Russian government that it had sent soldiers to Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged that his country’s troops had occupied Crimea only after the special operation was over.
Russia has also deployed hybrid Russian forces around the world for different operations. Russian hackers have set new standards in cyber warfare, targeting everything from political parties to essential infrastructure. Furthermore, Moscow has given support to political extremists and separatist movements throughout the EU and beyond, aided and assisted by a vast Kremlin-backed disinformation machine.
Read here for the evolution of Russian Hybrid Warfare in Ukraine.
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