Russian thinking on and measures to shape the battlefield: Experiences from its war against Ukraine

Our study uses a multi-method approach to analyze the development and normalization of unlawful violence within the Russian military. The primary method is the analysis of Russian military texts, including state-sponsored academic works and writings by military theorists published before and during Russia’s combat missions in Ukraine, with a focus on how military thought has evolved to support extra-legal actions. The study also incorporates an analysis of open-source intelligence and reports from Western analysts and human rights organizations, particularly those documenting combat actions and behaviours on the frontlines during the invasion of Ukraine. These sources will provide insights into the ways in which Russian soldiers and commanders engage in violence that exceeds the bounds of lawful warfare, offering empirical evidence of the practices discussed in military literature.