The impact of cyberattacks on civil wars: Examining Russia’s role in the Ukrainian conflict

Abstract

Cyberattacks are a relatively new tool to be used in civil wars, and the understanding of their impact remains in early stages. This paper reviews the existing literature on the impact of cyberattacks on civil wars, identifying particularly how they are difficult to attribute to a particular state or non-state group. It then applies that understanding to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, where cyberattacks have been used by Russia and its proxies to aid pro-Russian separatist groups.