Military strategy and technology

NATIONAL SECURITY AS AN OPEN AND DYNAMIC SOCIAL SYSTEM

Valeriy Zaluzhnyi — 2025-09-15

National security is a quantitative and qualitative characteristic of the development of a social system, i.e. it is not only an assessment of a certain security of this system against potential and real threats. It reflects the results of the impact of development trends and conditions of life of the society, its institutions, which ensure the preservation of qualitative certainty of the social system and free functioning that corresponds to its nature. Today, there is a wide variety of definitions of national security, and their authors have their own opinions and approaches to the interpretation of this concept.

The components of the national security system (NSS) are: subjects of national security; objects of national security; a set of government instruments that can be used to maintain an adequate level of protection of national interests; an array of current national legislation that defines the priorities of the state policy of national security; a set of external and internal factors of national security. Such components of the NSS as a set of subjects and objects of ensuring national security, a set of instruments of power, sources and subjects that pose threats to national interests are to a greater extent structural, while such components as the body of legislation and national security factors that determine the conditions and tasks of the NSS are functional. Some components of the NSS are relatively static, while others are more dynamic in terms of changes in space and time. From the point of view of a systemic approach in the process of interaction between an individual, society, state authorities and local self-government bodies in ensuring national security, taking into account the interrelationships between them and their environment, the NSC can be considered as an open, dynamic, social system, the functioning of which is aimed at protecting the national interests of the state.

Thus, national security is a quantitative and qualitative characteristic of the development of a social system, i.e. it is not only an assessment of a certain degree of protection of this system from potential and real threats. It reflects the results of the impact of development trends and conditions of life of the society, its institutions, which ensure the preservation of qualitative certainty of the social system and free functioning that corresponds to its nature. Thus, the dynamics of the impact of external and internal factors on national security, which simultaneously affect international security, necessitates constant reorganization, creation and elimination of certain components of the system, including those that are simultaneously integrated into the NSS, as well as into departmental, regional and international security systems

IMPLEMENTATION OF UKRAINE’S NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROTECTION: THE “FORTRESS NATION” CONCEPT

Artem Bilyk — 2025-09-15

The full-scale aggression of the rf against Ukraine has introduced new challenges in the defense not only for military objects but also for civilian objects and for critical national infrastructure objects (CNIOs).

Most of CNIOs in Ukraine were constructed above ground without any engineering protection systems to counter air threats, explosions, or other impacts associated with warfare. Currently, Ukraine is actively implementing the state “Fortress Country” concept, which envisions integrated protection of CNIOs and other strategically important facilities. This includes the organization of layered air defense systems, similar to those used by Israel, USA, and other countries, combined with comprehensive measures for civil protection, electronic warfare systems, deception measures. A transition from large centralized strategic facilities to smaller dispersed ones, and renewable energy sources are also proposed. These steps have significantly enhanced the country's resilience to external wartime threats.

This article shows the key aspects of implementing the “Fortress Country” concept for the protection of Ukraine’s CNIOs and analyzes the resilience of energy sector infrastructure to air attacks by enemy forces. Additionally, the main threats posed by the increasing quantity and precision of enemy aerial attack weapons are reviewed.

COGNITIVE OPERATIONS AND WARFARE IN THE CONTEMPORARY SECURITY LANDSCAPE: DRIVERS, DYNAMICS, AND IMPLICATIONS

Volodymyr Koval — 2025-09-15

The modern security environment is no longer limited to the physical space of combat; it includes information, media, digital and social dimensions, in which multidimensional cognitive wars are unfolding with a whole range of cognitive operations aimed at undermining national unity, discrediting state institutions, blurring the idea of truth, imposing narratives of defeat, despair or surrender on society. The latest trends of 2024–2025 indicate the evolution of the cognitive operations toolkit. That is why the study of the prerequisites, dynamics and consequences of cognitive operations, as well as the development of theoretical and applied models of protection against them are critically necessary, because this opens up space for interdisciplinary research at the intersection of security studies, psychology, neuroscience, sociology, information technology and military strategy. Thus, the purpose of the article is a comprehensive study of the nature and mechanisms of cognitive operations and wars in the modern security environment using the example of the cognitive confrontation between Russia and Ukraine, as well as an analysis of their prerequisites and dynamics of development, an assessment of possible consequences for national and international security, taking into account modern challenges and threats. The main results of the study are: an analysis of terminology in the field of cognitive operations and cognitive wars; disclosure of the features of the main cognitive operations of Russia against Ukraine; identification of the main characteristics of the ongoing cognitive confrontation between Russia and Ukraine; conducting an analytical generalization on the cognitive operations that Ukraine has implemented or is implementing against Russia, as well as an assessment of their degree of effectiveness and the consequences of the expected results. The materials of the article will be useful to specialists in the field of national security, strategic communications, military affairs, analysts, specialists in international relations and scholars in the field of political, psychological and military sciences.

TRANSFORMATION OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND INTELLIGENCE OPERATIONS

Yurii Semeniuk — 2025-09-15

The article examines the transformation of international relations as a factor influencing intelligence activities. It argues that the transformation of international relations is a profound change in the system of interactions between states, international organizations, and other actors at the global level. It is shown that the existing system of international relations and security space, unable to withstand the hybrid challenges and threats of the 21st century, is undergoing a fundamental transformation. This, in turn, has led to the formation of a new global architecture of security space and the environment of international relations. In the context of contemporary global challenges and threats to international and national security, a transformation of the geopolitical space has taken place, revealing a number of political, security, economic, and humanitarian problems that cannot be adequately assessed and overcome solely at the level of individual states. Their solution lies in the international political sphere and in the international security space formed by globalizing states. The 21st century has seen the restoration of a great power, imperial type of geopolitical consciousness, which, based on the experience of the historical past, offers the ideal of state development in the form of the creation of “great empires” and mechanisms for their domination over ‘medium’ and “small” states. This is primarily characteristic of the Russian Federation and the People's Republic of China, which are trying in various ways to implement the idea of a “great power renaissance”. Russia's unprovoked large-scale invasion of Ukraine confirmed that the era of interstate competition and conflict is not a thing of the past, but has instead become a defining feature of the current era. Researchers and experts in intelligence, taking into account the “revolutionary changes” in the security environment, in the nature of threats and peace, as well as changes in the nature of warfare, emphasizing the changing nature of information, the speed of technological change, and the variability of expectations not only of consumers of intelligence information but also of society, have begun to talk about the need for a “revolution in intelligence”.

ESTABLISHING A RESEARCH INSTITUTION FOR THE SUPPORT FORCES OF UKRAINE'S ARMED FORCES IN RESPONSE TO MODERN MILITARY CHALLENGES

Sergii Khlon — 2025-09-15

The article provides a comprehensive justification for the urgent necessity of establishing a state scientific institution for the Support Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This need is dictated by the profound and dynamic changes in the methods of warfare, as observed in modern armed conflicts, and the enemy's rapid deployment of new, technologically advanced weapons and military equipment. These factors create persistent challenges for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, necessitating a structured and agile response.

The primary objective of this new scientific institution is to ensure the high-quality execution of a wide range of exploratory, theoretical, and experimental research. This research is designed to cover critical support areas that are paramount for the combat readiness of the Support Forces. These areas include:

Engineering support, encompassing the development of innovative fortification techniques, mine-laying and breaching technologies, and methods for overcoming various obstacles, as well as Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) defense, which involves enhancing detection, monitoring, and personnel protection systems to counter evolving threats. It will also conduct research, focused on Geospatial support, focused on the creation of high-precision geospatial data, the refinement of digital mapping technologies, and the effective use of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for data collection and navigational purposes, as well as Hydrometeorological support, aimed at improving systems and technical means for providing accurate meteorological forecasts and assessing their impact on weapon system effectiveness. The institution will also conduct research on the topic of canine support, dedicated to developing doctrinal documents and modernizing training methods to enhance the operational efficiency of canine units in combat scenarios.

The article analyzes the current limitations of the scientific potential within existing units and institutions, highlighting that their insufficient specialization and capacity hindering a swift response to modern threats. The establishment of a new, dedicated scientific institution is therefore argued to be crucial for consolidating scientific efforts and enabling the rapid neutralization of emerging challenges. The research also draws upon the experience of NATO member countries to underscore the strategic importance of these support functions. This alignment with international standards is vital for ensuring the interoperability and future cooperation of Ukrainian forces with allied partners.

USING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE METHODS IN TASKS OF DECENTRALIZED CONTROL OF A GROUP OF UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES

Oleh Zolotukhin — 2025-09-15

For solving tasks dangerous to humans, a group of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) has advantages over a single device. The greatest result is the implementation of decentralized control of a group of UAVs. The work considers the problem of decentralized control of a group of UAVs for the effective solution of strategically important tasks in conditions of uncontrolled situations using swarm intelligence methods. The work presents a structural diagram and implements a method of decentralized control of a group of UAVs. Practical results - modeling the behavior of drones in a group.

NON-STANDARD APPROACHES TO STANDARDIZED PROCESSES: ENHANCING COMBAT OPERATIONS PLANNING THROUGH ADVANCED INFORMATION AND ANALYTICAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

Mykola Kret — 2025-09-15

This article presents a comprehensive analysis of the implementation of innovative information and analytical solutions within standardized combat management processes, focusing on the real-life combat experience of the 13th Operational Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine. The authors examine the profound transformation of classical command-and-control models that still bear the influence of the Soviet legacy. Key systemic limitations are highlighted, including excessive bureaucratization, manual planning, the lack of modern process automation, and a deficiency of tools for operational data analysis.

The study explores practical cases of integrating digital platforms into combat operations: the use of the “Delta” situational awareness system for real-time monitoring and visualization of intelligence data; and the application of Power BI for processing and interpreting large volumes of combat-related information, enabling data-driven decision-making in compressed timeframes.

Special attention is paid to the emergence of new organizational approaches driven by the realities of modern warfare – particularly the introduction of ISTAR units (Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance) and the role of the Battle Captain. These roles play a critical part in synchronizing intelligence, command, and firepower in real time, significantly enhancing the responsiveness to dynamic battlefield conditions.

The article is practical in nature, drawing upon empirical data collected during the deployment of a joint operational group in active combat conditions. This allows the authors to formulate specific recommendations for scaling the successful organizational model across other units within the Ukrainian Defense Forces. The experience of the 13th Brigade is presented as a grassroots institutional initiative, where digital technologies, data analytics, and elements of civilian management lay the foundation for a modern, flexible, and adaptive combat management system.

The proposed approaches hold strong potential for regulatory formalization and further digital transformation of command-and-control structures, which is critically important in the context of protracted armed conflict and the need to strengthen operational capabilities

UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES IN ASYMMETRIC WARFARE: TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES AND STRATEGIC SIGNIFICANCE IN COUNTERING RUSSIA’S TECHNOLOGICAL ESCALATION

Serhiy Shaptala — 2025-09-15

This article investigates the extensive use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the Russia-Ukraine war, where drones have become a pivotal component of Ukraine’s asymmetric strategy amid Russia’s technological escalation, particularly with the emergence of jet-powered Shahed-238 (“Geran-3”) drones. It provides a detailed description of the technical characteristics, classification, and tactical applications of combat, reconnaissance, decoy, and interceptor UAVs employed by both sides of the conflict. The study highlights Russia’s ramped-up production of kamikaze drones like Shahed and new models such as “Banderol,” incorporating foreign components, notably from China and Iran. In contrast, Ukraine showcases innovation through the development of interceptor drones, autonomous detection systems, and AI-driven technologies to counter the enemy effectively.

The article emphasizes the shift in battlefield tactics from large-scale offensives to precision strikes by small mobile units supported by UAVs. Ukraine’s strategy relies on rapid adaptation, volunteer mobilization, and technical ingenuity to offset resource constraints. The introduction of high-speed, long-range Shahed-238 drones poses new challenges for Ukraine’s air defense, necessitating the development of jet-powered interceptors and advanced defense systems.

The study underscores that UAVs have fundamentally transformed the nature of warfare, creating a “kill zone” along the front line and shifting the focus from numerical superiority to technological dominance. It describes how the integration of artificial intelligence and computer vision in UAVs, such as Ukraine’s “Vatra” or Russia’s V2U, marks a new phase of warfare where autonomy and precision are paramount. The conclusions highlight that Ukraine’s success in this asymmetric conflict hinges on combining innovation, and international support to neutralize the growing threat of jet-powered drones

HISTORICAL LESSONS FOR EUROPEAN SECURITY: UKRAINE’S PIVOTAL ROLE IN SHAPING A DEFENSIVE BARRIER AGAINST EASTERN THREATS

Volodymyr Gurkovsky — 2025-09-15

This study examines the establishment of a European security belt as a strategic countermeasure to Russian aggression, emphasizing Ukraine’s historical role as a bulwark of European defense. It explores Ukraine’s significance as a critical factor in ensuring the military dimension of European security during wartime and in the post-war period. The research integrates historical, international-political, and governance perspectives to distill lessons from the past—spanning from Kyivan Rus and the Middle Ages to present-day geopolitical challenges—and to propose pathways for Ukraine’s integration into the contemporary European security framework.

The analysis traces the evolution of European unity from the Roman Empire to the present, identifying lessons applicable to modern Europe. Drawing on historical evidence, the study systematizes events that reveal the consistent shortcomings of international security institutions in effectively addressing aggression and preventing conflict escalation. It highlights the roles of states that have historically served as Europe’s defensive shield against eastern threats, citing instances where smaller coalitions successfully resisted more powerful adversaries. Particular focus is placed on modern security initiatives, such as the Three Seas Initiative (3SI), and the identification of strategic opportunities for Ukraine to bolster the continental security framework.

The article also addresses the challenge of maintaining a robust European security architecture amidst shifting U.S. policies and the need to adapt to emerging realities. It evaluates European initiatives aimed at modernizing the continent’s security system and delineates Ukraine’s potential contributions. Key measures are outlined for the Ukrainian government and its European partners to establish a resilient security belt to counter eastern aggression.

Special attention is given to the strategic window of opportunity for Ukraine and its European allies in the current complex geopolitical environment. The authors highlight positive developments in the construction of the European security belt, particularly through the advancement of the 3SI, and underscore Ukraine’s potential to strengthen this initiative. However, the study emphasizes the urgency of implementing adaptive defense cooperation practices in response to ongoing military aggression.

The findings provide a methodological foundation for developing national and regional initiatives in Ukraine’s national security, public administration, and defense sectors, aimed at shaping an effective post-war European security architecture.

THE MILITARY DOCTRINE OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION: HISTORICAL EVOLUTION AND APPLICATION IN THE CONTEXT OF THE WAR IN UKRAINE

Bohuslav Patsek — 2025-09-15

The article is dedicated to analyzing the historical evolution and transformation of russian military doctrine from the early 20th century to the present day. It examines key periods and military conflicts-such as the Polish-Soviet War, the Winter War, the war in Afghanistan, the Chechen and Georgian wars-highlighting their impact on the development of Russian military thought. Special attention is paid to post-Soviet military doctrines and the influence of the so-called “Gerasimov Doctrine” on contemporary Russian military strategy. The article identifies common features of Russian military operations, including the justification of aggression, readiness to sustain heavy human losses, and a tendency to commit war crimes. The goal of the study is to identify the key stages and factors that have shaped Russian military thinking, as well as to outline the main trends and characteristics of Russia's current military doctrine within the context of its ongoing aggression against Ukraine. The analysis demonstrates that during the initial phase of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Russian Federation implemented its 2014 military doctrine and General Gerasimov’s concept, which emphasized non-military means and rapid, decisive action. However, failures during the first year of the war-due to a variety of factors-forced Russia to adjust its tactics and methods of combat employment. Since 2024, modern drone technologies and electronic warfare have become a central element of combat operations for both sides, providing advantages in intelligence gathering, precision strikes, and countermeasures. As a result, the Russo-Ukrainian War has fundamentally transformed the nature of modern warfare, making the prospect of victory directly dependent on the development and integration of new technologies.