D4 Published development or research report or study
Bloodless but deadly : information warfare in Russian military science research (2024)

Puurunen, M. (2024). Bloodless but deadly : information warfare in Russian military science research. Jyväskylän yliopisto. JYU Reports, 49. https://doi.org/10.17011/jyureports/2024/49

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Puurunen, Mari

eISBN: 978-952-86-0338-2

Journal or series: JYU Reports

eISSN: 2737-0046

Publication year: 2024

Publication date: 27/09/2024

Number in series: 49

Number of pages in the book: 1 verkkoaineisto (33 sivua)

Publisher: Jyväskylän yliopisto

Place of Publication: Jyväskylä

Publication country: Finland

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17011/jyureports/2024/49

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Additional information: Julkaistu suomeksi: Puurunen, M. (2024). Veretöntä mutta tappavaa : informaatiosodankäynti venäläisessä sotatieteellisessä keskustelussa. ISBN 978-952-86-0210-1. JYU Reports, 43. Jyväskylän yliopisto. https://doi.org/10.17011/jyureports/2024/43

Abstract

This report examines the terminology of Russian information warfare from the annexation of Crimea and the start of the war in Eastern Ukraine until 2023. The report is based on the analysis of articles on information warfare published between 2014 and 2023 in two of the most prominent Russian journals on military science, Vestnik Akademi Voennyh Nauk and Voennaya Mysl. The terminology is categorised in the report in line with the Russian Armed Forces Dictionary into information warfare objectives, resources and means. The terminology was found to be extensive and constantly evolving, providing the Russian government with political latitude, which it has made use of, for example, in Ukraine since spring 2022. The Russian perspective on information warfare is holistic, and several terms of Anglo-Saxon origin have been adopted to refer to centuries-old Russian warfare concepts. Information warfare is seen as part of a civilisational struggle between Russia and the collective West, which varies in intensity and manifestations. Russia makes no distinction between war and peace. After the war of aggression launched by Russia in 2022, a shift to a kind of post-truth era has emerged, where facts are of secondary importance and the focus is on elements related to an individual's information processing, emotions and decision-making, which are subject to the influence of information warfare. In this phase of information warfare, it is crucial to saturate the information space with content that serves Russia's strategic objectives in the long run. As of spring 2022, the political rhetoric of the Russian regime has been integrated into research publications, reflecting a broader shift in Russian society towards totalitarianism.

Keywords: Ukrainian crisis 2014-; Russian invasion of Ukraine 2022; warfare; information warfare; disinformation; propaganda; psychological warfare; cyberwarfare; hybrid warfare; rhetoric

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Won't be reported