Tverdokhlib Yu.М. Psychological operations in Russian-Ukrainian hybrid warfare. – Manuscript.
The thesis for obtaining a scientific degree of the Candidate of Political Sciences, specialty 23.00.04 – political problems of international systems and global development. – Yurii Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University. – Chernivtsi, 2020.
The thesis is devoted to the thorough research of theoretical and practical aspects of conducting of psychological operations by the Russian Federation and Ukraine in the period from 2014 to March 2019 (till the election of the president of Ukraine). From theoretical aspects in the dissertation research the general scheme of planning and realization of psychological operation is formed, the process of analysis of the target audience, the process of choosing methods of psychological influence on the target audiences, the process of selecting channels for the delivery of products of psychological influence to the target audiences have been studied. Also the main criteria for assessing the effectiveness of psychological operations were formed. Also attention is paid to the conceptual-categorical apparatus of the study. The need for a detailed examination of the key concepts for the dissertation research was due to the need for a clear understanding of the dissertation research and the elimination of ambiguity, as a significant part of the terms in the national science still does not have a single and clear definition, despite the existence of a large number of works. In this regard, it was given definition of the key term for the dissertation study – the term of the «psychological operation». It was also proved that the concepts of «information warfare» and «psychological warfare» are not identical, as their objects are different. Also in the dissertation research the definitions of terms «target audience of psychological operation», «analysis of the target audience» were specified, the definitions of terms «efficiency of psychological operation», «narrative of psychological operation» and «direction of psychological operation» were introduced and given.
The main target audiences of psychological operations of the Russian Federation and Ukraine during the studied period were singled out. It was established that in order to influence the target audience, the Russian Federation applied a differentiated approach - individually planned and conducted psychological operations for each target audience.
Also in the dissertation research the main directions and narratives of Russian and Ukirainian psychological operations, which were conducted during 2014 – 2019 years were described. The main methods of psychological impact, which the Russian Federation took during the realization of psychological operations in the Russo-Ukrainian hybrid conflict (2014 – 2019 years) were described too.
The subjects of carrying out of the psychological operations of the Russian Federation were determined.
From the practical aspects of conducting psychological operations by the Russian Federation and Ukraine during 2014-2019 years the dissertation research highlights the main causes of the effectiveness of Russian psychological operations in Ukraine and the main reasons for the lack of readiness for such psychological influences of the leadership and the population of Ukraine. It also describes the main «miscalculations» of the Russian authorities in conducting psychological operations in Ukraine.
Also in the dissertation the mechanism of counteracting to destructive psychological operations is offered. It was established that counteraction to destructive psychological operation of the Russian Federation has to be carried out with the help of institutional and intellectual measures. Short-, medium- and long-term steps of counteraction to Russia’s psychological influences (in the territories under the control of the Government of Ukraine, in the occupied by the Russian Federation territories of Ukraine and on the international arena) have been defined.
The necessity of developing of a unified strategic narrative and application of the mechanism of strategic communications in the struggle against psychological influences of the Russian Federation is substantiated. It has been found that in order to neutrallize the destructive psychological influenses of Russian psychological operations on the population of Ukraine, it is necessary to consolidate at the legislative level the obligatory study of media literacy in schools and at the universities. It is emphasized that in order to prevent destabilization of Ukraine's relations with neighboring countries, it is necessary to establish cultural diplomacy, resolve controversial historical issues and open its own news agencies abroad.
Key words: hybrid warfare, psychological warfare, psychological operations (PsyOps), psychological action, target audience, the Russian Federation, Ukraine.
