What Is Hybrid Warfare? How Is Russia Employing It?

Russia is waging two wars. The first is the live-fire conflict in Ukraine, the second a more covert affair targeting countries that support the government in Kyiv. The toolkit ranges from state-on-state cyberattacks, disinformation and propaganda to more visible tactics such as arson, sabotage and airspace incursions.

This dual strategy, known as hybrid warfare, marries unambiguous brute force with acts of stealth and subterfuge designed to undermine the security and wellbeing of another country. With Vladimir Putin struggling to achieve his strategic goals in Ukraine, his government appears to be stepping up hybrid attacks on Ukrainian allies.