• Jerkface (any/all)@lemmy.ca
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        2 months ago

        Timeline of modern examples of Russian “hybrid warfare”

        2007 – Estonia Cyberattacks

        • After Estonia removed a Soviet war memorial, it was hit by massive cyberattacks targeting government, banks, and media.

        • One of the first clear cases of state-linked cyberwarfare combined with information warfare.

        2008 – Russo-Georgian War

        • Russia used cyberattacks, propaganda, separatist movements in South Ossetia and Abkhazia, and limited military force.

        • Information manipulation portrayed Georgia as the aggressor.

        2014 – Crimea and Eastern Ukraine

        • Crimea annexation: Russian “little green men” seized key points while propaganda campaigns confused the population and international observers.

        • Donbas War: Russia armed and supported separatists while denying direct involvement, using cyberwarfare and disinformation heavily.

        2015 – Syrian Conflict

        • Russia intervened in Syria, blending military force, private military companies (e.g., Wagner Group), propaganda, and diplomatic manipulation.

        • Russia portrayed itself as fighting “terrorism” while targeting opposition forces.

        2016 – U.S. Presidential Election Interference

        • Russian intelligence agencies (GRU, FSB) engaged in cyberattacks, hacked emails, social media manipulation, and disinformation campaigns.

        • This was a major hybrid campaign aiming to sow distrust and division.

        2017 – NotPetya Cyberattack

        • Originating from Russia and targeting Ukraine, the NotPetya malware spread globally, crippling companies and infrastructure.

        • Disguised as ransomware but actually destructive sabotage.

        2018 – Skripal Poisoning in the UK

        • Russian operatives used a banned nerve agent in an assassination attempt.

        • Propaganda and diplomatic misinformation campaigns followed to confuse attribution.

        • Blending covert action, deniability, and information distortion.

        2020 – Belarus Protests

        • Russia supported Belarusian regime of Lukashenko against widespread protests.

        • Information campaigns, security force support, and diplomatic pressure were combined.

        2022 – Full-scale Invasion of Ukraine

        • Initially framed as a “special military operation” to “de-Nazify” Ukraine.

        • Involved military invasion, cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, economic blackmail (like gas supply threats), and the use of mercenary groups.

        • Continued narrative warfare domestically and internationally.

        2022–2025 – Global Disinformation and Influence Campaigns

        Russia expanded its hybrid toolkit:

        • Artificial amplification of anti-Western narratives globally.

        • Building alliances with other disinformation actors (e.g., Iran, China).

        • Using energy markets, food supply disruptions, and cyberattacks as pressure points.

        • Strengthening alternative media ecosystems (like RT, Sputnik, Telegram channels) to bypass bans in Europe and elsewhere.

        • Emergence of AI-driven propaganda (deepfakes, AI-generated fake news).