Analysis of Russia's hybrid war strategy in 2014 Ukraine crisis

There have been constant changes in the methods of the "war" phenomenon, which is one of the most curious subjects throughout history. In the past, the development of combat vehicles and the type of tools and mechanisms used in combat were among the most important factors determining the winner of a battle. In the 21st century, when weapons of mass destruction and nuclear weapons became widespread, the politics of states could not directly participate in a traditional struggle for survival and sought a different, more logical way. In this context, the Hybrid Warfare Doctrine has emerged as the most comprehensive theory of warfare that caters to the needs of nations in recent history. The political and economic costs of the hybrid warfare method are very low compared to conventional warfare and the scale of victory achieved according to these costs is very high. For this reason, it is imperative for states to understand the hybrid warfare method in all aspects, both in terms of attack and defense. The main purpose of this study is to examine Russia's intervention in Ukraine from a hybrid war perspective and to reveal the role of the European Union and NATO in this intervention. For this purpose, first the theoretical dimension and then the historical dimension have been put forward. After laying the theoretical foundations of the study, the practical events in Russia's intervention in Ukraine were evaluated from the perspective of hybrid war theory. Finally, the roles of the European Union and NATO before, during and after the Ukraine crisis were examined, and the role of these organizations in the emergence of the crisis and the extent to which these organizations were ready for the Russian hybrid war were revealed.