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This article is adapted from a report written by Nataliya Bugayova and Kateryna Stepanenko, “A Primer on Russian Cognitive Warfare,” published on June 30 by the Institute for the Study of War.

Russia is using cognitive warfare—a form of warfare that focuses on influencing the opponent’s reasoning, decisions, and actions—to secure strategic objectives that are unattainable through its physical capabilities alone. It is not the only country to do so. China, Iran, and North Korea increasingly use cognitive warfare against the United States, too. But Russia has proven especially adept at using it to aid in its war against Ukraine, shape Western decisions, preserve President Vladimir Putin’s regime, and mask Russia’s weaknesses. Cognitive warfare is not the Kremlin’s only warfighting strategy. Nonetheless, it is vital to understand the Kremlin’s effort to try to make the world see things as Moscow wishes us to—and for us then make decisions in that Kremlin-generated reality.

This article is adapted from a report written by Nataliya Bugayova and Kateryna Stepanenko, “A Primer on Russian Cognitive Warfare,” published on June 30 by the Institute for the Study of War.

Russia is using cognitive warfare—a form of warfare that focuses on influencing the opponent’s reasoning, decisions, and actions—to secure strategic objectives that are unattainable through its physical capabilities alone. It is not the only country to do so. China, Iran, and North Korea increasingly use cognitive warfare against the United States, too. But Russia has proven especially adept at using it to aid in its war against Ukraine, shape Western decisions, preserve President Vladimir Putin’s regime, and mask Russia’s weaknesses. Cognitive warfare is not the Kremlin’s only warfighting strategy. Nonetheless, it is vital to understand the Kremlin’s effort to try to make the world see things as Moscow wishes us to—and for us then make decisions in that Kremlin-generated reality.

The ultimate target of Russian cognitive warfare is the opponent’s will to act. To achieve more, Russia needs others to do less. Russia may very well lose if the West leans in to support Ukraine. The combined economies of NATO countries, non-NATO European Union states, and the United States’ Asian allies dwarf Russia’s, among other things. The Russian goal has therefore been to have the United States reason its way to the conclusion that Russia prevailing in Ukraine is inevitable—or even in accord with U.S interests—and that Washington should stay on the sidelines.

Cognitive warfare is not mere disinformation at a tactical level. Russia uses all platforms that transmit narratives—media, conferences, international frameworks, diplomatic channels, individuals—as tools of its cognitive warfare. The effort is also supported by physical activities. These physical tools include military exercises, sabotage, cyberattacks, and combat operations.

The Kremlin succeeds in this effort if it persuades others that it is too hard to know the real truth, too hard to resist Russia, and too hard to be sure which side is right and which is wrong.

Cognitive warfare is born out of need and opportunity. Russia is not weak, but it is weak........

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