A Look At The Russian Military Tactic Of ‘Maskirovka’

Image from the Revolution Spirit

‘Maskirovka’ Is Russian Secret War -- Paul Huard, War Is Boring

Sneaky tactics are an old Russian tradition

Armed men with their faces covered by balaclavas who say they are pro-Russian Ukrainian separatists but who possess weapons and equipment used to equip Russian special forces.

A convoy of more than 200 vehicles that the Russian government said carried humanitarian relief for people in war-ravaged eastern Ukraine, yet many of the vehicles inspected by customs officials at the Russian-Ukrainian border were nearly empty.

Earlier in August, the Russians reportedly moved military vehicles with “peacekeeping” insignia to the border—a first since the crisis in the Ukraine erupted. At the same time, Russia continued a massive build up of arms and manpower along the border that the NATO secretary general recently termed “alarming.”

Whatever game Vladimir Putin and the Russian government are playing regarding their support of pro-Russian separatists in the Ukraine, it seems to have little to do with shock and awe. Instead, the Russian military’s strategy could be more subtle and rooted in strategic deception.

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My Comment: I personally prefer the term 'disinformation'. But the concept of ‘Maskirovka’ is a holdover from the Soviet days .... and while Russia does employ it, it should also be noted that the Ukraine government/military has also been employing these tactics in their war against Russian separatists.