Russian Active Measures in Psychological Warfare

• Main Author: Justyna Doroszczyk
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wydawnictwo Adam Marszałek 2018-09-01
• Series: Polish Political Science Yearbook
• Subjects: SECRET SERVICE; ACTIVE MEASURES; RUSSIAN FEDERATION; SECURITY
• Online Access: https://czasopisma.marszalek.com.pl/images/pliki/ppsy/47-3/ppsy2018306.pdf

The aim of the article is to analyse Russian active measures in the context of psychological warfare. Active measures are defined as the actions of political warfare conducted by Russian secret service. In case of Russian Federation they are the core of psychological operations that are tools of realising international and domestic policy priorities. Active measures include disinformation campaigns and supporting insurgency in opponent states. Regarding the context of psychological operations active measures are designed to model the mental sphere of opponent society. Active measures are aimed at weakening the unity of the European Union as well as common trust in NATO. Creating favourable atmosphere for Russian activity is the main goal of implementing active measures. Therefore active measures are considered as a great part of Russian interpretation of psychological warfare. Although active measures can support the military activity they are designed to influence the mental sphere of opponent society and are used to create opinions and interpretations that match Russian interests. Those measures are difficult to identify and therefore are threats that are not easy to counteract.