Maskirovka – The Art of Deception à la Russe

Synonymous with disguise, camouflage, diversion and deception, maskirovka is a complex Russian cultural phenomenon, which has already reached the rank of doctrine. The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation have carried forward military theory, doctrine and thinking between the years after the collapse of the Soviet Union and the Russian political-military revival. It is also reflected in the increased importance of diversion in achieving military objectives. Maskirovka is culturally rooted in the Russian mentality and represents a significant component of Russian military operations. This paper aims to analyse the evolution of this phenomenon in Russia, from a military to a political concept, from the Second World War to the invasion of Ukraine in 2014, as well as its psychological implications. Once a means used to gain advantage on the battlefield, maskirovka is utilized in order to create ambiguity and uncertainty in the environment it operates on for freedom of action in achieving the military and political objectives of today’s Russia.