Capturing Minds and Reshaping the World: Russia's Strategy of Subversion and Disinformation

Darczewska is one of the most rigorous analysts of Russian strategic communication and active measures working in the European policy space, and this OSW report represents the fullest synthesis of her research on Russia's doctrinal approach to information subversion. The analysis is grounded in Russian-language primary sources — military doctrine, security service publications, strategic communications theory — and traces the evolution of Russian subversion strategy from Soviet active measures through the contemporary hybrid warfare toolkit.

The book's particular contribution is its treatment of the strategic logic underlying specific influence operations: not merely what Russia does, but why, in terms of its own strategic culture and threat perception. This doctrinal grounding is essential for analysts who need to move beyond describing individual operations to understanding the strategic calculus they serve. Available open access through OSW.