The Evolution of Russian Hybrid Warfare: A Comparative Case Study on Georgia, Crimea, and Donbas

This research is centered around Russian hybrid warfare in practice. Three case studies are examined: the 2008 Russo-Georgian War, the 2014 annexation of Crimea, and the 2014-2015 Donbas War. Hybrid warfare has become a buzzword in military strategy theory. Generally, hybrid warfare is understood as a strategy that combines conventional and unconventional tactics to achieve political objectives while remaining below the threshold of traditional conventional war. Moreover, in this research theoretical implications of hybrid warfare also discussed. These include ongoing debates, criticism, examples outside of the post Soviet space, and so on. This thesis relies on qualitative and quantitative data to fully contextualize hybrid warfare as a pillar of Russian foreign policy in their near abroad. The three cases highlight patterns in Russia’s usage of hybrid tactics in the former Soviet space. Overall, this thesis aims to portray how Russia’s hybrid strategy has evolved following the 2008 war in Georgia to their 2014-2015 hybrid objectives in Crimea and Donbas. This study connects hybrid warfare theory to the utilization of such tactics. This research contributes to the overall understanding of hybrid warfare’s effects on international security, policy formation, and the evolution of hybrid warfare.