US military planners do not mince words on the threat posed by Russia: “[Moscow] poses acute threats, pursuing power and influence through cyber-attacks and disinformation campaigns, while its attack on Ukraine represents a moment on par with 9/11 in terms of global consequence and challenge to U.S. and international security. ”

Some experts believe Russia is already at war with the West, utilizing various forms of hybrid warfare. Hybrid warfare refers to a military strategy that blends conventional warfare, irregular warfare, and cyber warfare with other influencing methods such as propaganda and disinformation. Hybrid warfare requires delicacy in inflicting harm on the target country without escalating into a full-blown conventional war. Russia is often accused by experts and Western governments of employing such tactics to undermine the stability and influence of Western democracies. The strategy involves leaving a sufficiently faint footprint to deter military retaliation, as such a response would be seen as a violation of international norms.