Cognitive Attacks in Russian Hybrid Warfare

Abstract

A cognitive attack aims to change the interpretation of the situation by an individual and in mass consciousness. Cognitive attacks are actively using cognitive biases as automatic shortcuts for the mass consciousness. This article provides analysis of the following media instruments used by the Russian Federation: changing the concepts for describing the situation by adapting older negative images and myths for the current context, creating fake events and objects to help keeping the intended line of attack on the enemy; and organizing various protest actions in Ukraine tailored for Russian TV news.