Hybrid Warriors
Proxies, Freelancers and Moscow's Struggle for Ukraine
(Author) Anna ArutunyanThe Russian government's deniable use of rogues, businessmen, enthusiasts, mercenaries and political technologists confounded policymakers as Moscow waged a covert invasion of Ukraine in 2014. Did Crimea and Donbas reveal the Kremlin's new 'hybrid war' playbook? Or was Moscow itself manipulated by the very forces it had unleashed? Given the disinformation and skewing of the narrative, it is no wonder that the international community has dramatically misunderstood the very nature of this war and was unprepared for the Kremlin's sudden and brutal escalation in 2022. As Russia's overt military operation in Ukraine risks pitting the world's great powers against each other, Hybrid Warriors traces the trajectory of the conflict from the bottom up. Starting from the first pivotal years in the 2010s, the book draws on unique interviews, reporting from the conflict zones, and wider on-the-ground research, to reconstruct the granular relationships between civilians, non-state actors, and the Kremlin that co-opted them. In the process, it speaks not just to the history of this conflict, but also to our wider understanding of how Putin's Kremlin works and how it has prosecuted its war on Ukraine.
Anna Arutunyan
Anna Arutunyan is a Russian-American journalist, author, and commentator known for her insightful analysis of Russian politics and society. She has written for publications such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Moscow News. Arutunyan's writing style is characterized by a sharp wit and deep understanding of the complexities of Russian culture.
One of her most notable works is "The Putin Mystique: Inside Russia's Power Cult," which explores the personality cult surrounding Russian President Vladimir Putin. This book sheds light on the political dynamics shaping modern Russia and has been praised for its nuanced perspective on the country's leadership.
Arutunyan's contributions to literature lie in her ability to offer a fresh and critical perspective on Russian politics, challenging conventional narratives and providing valuable insights into the country's social and political landscape. Her work has had a significant impact on the understanding of Russia and its leadership, making her an influential voice in the field of Russian studies.
