From Subcultural Groupings to Actors of Hybrid Warfare: Current Trends in Conflicts in Eastern Europe

Abstract

This article deals with transformation of several categories of subcultural groupings to real or potential actors of hybrid warfare. It is based on trends and events related to the Ukrainian crisis and to the new Russian power projection in Central and Eastern Europe, as well as on the reaction of governments and societies which are threatened by this way of warfare and politics. Research on subcultures and research on strategy and conflict form the conceptual framework of the article. The author analyses the role of military re-enactment groups, bikers, football hooligans and other youth subcultural groups. The risk analysis serves for an assessment of the current impact and a possible future development of the researched phenomenon.

Keywords

• Hybrid War; Subcultures; Paramilitary Groups; Conflict Research; Military Re-Enactment; Motorcycle Gangs; Football Hooligans
• Autonomous Nationalists
• Central And Eastern Europe; Ukrainian Crisis.