2018 - COUNTERING RUSSIA'S HYBRID THREATS

Lord JOPLING (United Kingdom)

12 October 2018

18 November 2018  -  “Hybrid warfare” became a buzzword in the international political discourse following Russia’s invasion in Ukraine and the illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014. This report focuses specifically on the Kremlin’s use of hybrid tactics because the Kremlin’s hybrid toolbox is arguably the most sophisticated and comprehensive. Russia’s hybrid warfare also primarily targets the Euro-Atlantic community and the countries in the “grey zone” between NATO/EU and Russia.

The report aims at improving awareness of Russia’s hybrid activities, including political interference, low-level use of force, espionage, crime and corruption, disinformation and propaganda, cyber-attacks and economic pressure, as well as showing how several techniques reinforce and complement each other. It examines the counter-measures adopted by the Euro-Atlantic community and offers thoughts on additional means of response to enhance resilience and defend our populations against these complex threats.