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).