FEATURES OF HYBRID CONFLICTS IN THE CONTEXT OF THE RUSSIAN AGGRESSION AGAINST UKRAINE

Abstract

The author investigates the features of modern hybrid conflict as a set of military and political means of confrontation, together with the large-scale application of information-psychological methods of influence. The purpose of the study is to find out the specifics of hybrid conflicts as the most common form of mass conflict interaction in a globalized world and to identify the features of Russian aggression against Ukraine as a hybrid conflict. Applying systematic, analytical and comparative methods, the author concludes that unprovoked Russian hybrid aggression against Ukraine has become a preventive action of Russia to prevent the collapse of the scenario of the Eurasian empire by eliminating the Ukrainian sovereign state, and a catalyst for the process of global confrontation with post-Soviet space. The research shows that the modern hybrid conflict is based on a set of traditional and non-standard actions – prepared beforehand and promptly implemented; these actions of military, diplomatic, economic, informational, and psychological nature are strategically oriented. The findings revealed that in order to effectively counteract hybrid aggression, the important task is to anticipate and disclose the enemy's intentions, to disorientate the adversary in order to prevent his destructive actions, to create adverse conditions for his counteraction, using both military and non-military means, and to impose one’s will on the aggressor by taking the initiative in waging an information war.

Keywords

• гібридний конфлікт
• агресія
• війна
• активні заходи