Beyond hybrid: Russian non-linear warfare as strategic culture

Western interpretations of Russian strategy often rely on the “hybrid warfare” concept, portraying it as a mix of conventional and irregular tactics. This article contends that such a view obscures Russia’s deeper strategic logic. It introduces “non-linear warfare” as a state-driven, holistic framework integrating political, economic, informational, and military tools into continuous struggle. Rooted in Soviet traditions of maskirovka, reflexive control, and information confrontation, it emphasizes perception management and systemic disruption over kinetic force. Through the Crimea (2014) and Syria (2015) cases, the article shows how Russia operationalizes this logic and urges Western adaptation through culturally informed, resilience-based responses.