Accession Number:

AD1098360

Title:

War and Peace: Russia's Effective Blurring of Lines, Or Is It

Descriptive Note:

Technical Report

Corporate Author:

AIR UNIV MAXWELL AFB AL MAXWELL AFB United States

Personal Author(s):

• Deuble,Stephen D.

Report Date:

2018-06-01

Pagination or Media Count:

105.0

Abstract:

The annexation of Crimea in 2014 alarmed western security analysts. International media outlets reported stories of the little green men who waged a new form of warfare. These actions, combined with the emergence of the Gerasimov Doctrine led many to believe that Russian leaders had achieved success through Hybrid Warfare. Few analysts, however, looked at if these new tactics were actually new and if they were effective in achieving Russian national objectives. This research examines how effective Russian unconventional warfare efforts have been in three contemporary case studies. The case studies examined are the Russian-Estonia conflict in 2007, the August War with Georgia in 2008, and Russias conflict with Ukraine in 2014. Through analyzing Russian unconventional warfare activities in each of these case studies it is apparent that if Russia is placed in a certain strategic context then they are likely to utilize unconventional warfare in a predictable manner. Highlighting this blueprint enables strategic planners to better plan for and mitigate Russian unconventional warfare activities in the Baltic State.

Descriptors:

• russia
• Ukraine
• Estonia
• cyberattacks
• information operations
• ussr
• cyberwarfare
• game theory
• geography
• second world war
• treaties
• civil war
• military exercises
• combat areas
• warfare
• international relations
• hybrid warfare
• military organizations
• contingency operations (military)
• military history

Subject Categories:

• Government and Political Science
• Military Operations, Strategy and Tactics
• Government and Political Science
• Military Operations, Strategy and Tactics

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE