Published on 2 April 2025 by SIMKRA via Medium's T3CH publication, the article provides an analytical overview of Russian cognitive warfare as a hybrid warfare component. It outlines Russia's strategic use of propaganda, media manipulation, and psychological warfare to erode trust in democratic institutions, influence public opinion, and create sociopolitical divisions within target countries, focusing notably on Baltic and Nordic states. The article situates cognitive warfare within Russia's wider hybrid warfare doctrine, emphasizing its layered approach combining cyber, political, and informational tools to achieve destabilization and control. It underscores the complexity and persistence of these operations, the use of fake NGOs, shell media outlets, and social media campaigns, and draws attention to the imperative for Western allies to strengthen cognitive resilience and countermeasures against these multifaceted threats.

Published on 2 April 2025 by SIMKRA via Medium's T3CH publication, the article provides an analytical overview of Russian cognitive warfare as a hybrid warfare component. It outlines Russia's strategic use of propaganda, media manipulation, and psychological warfare to erode trust in democratic institutions, influence public opinion, and create sociopolitical divisions within target countries, focusing notably on Baltic and Nordic states. The article situates cognitive warfare within Russia's wider hybrid warfare doctrine, emphasizing its layered approach combining cyber, political, and informational tools to achieve destabilization and control. It underscores the complexity and persistence of these operations, the use of fake NGOs, shell media outlets, and social media campaigns, and draws attention to the imperative for Western allies to strengthen cognitive resilience and countermeasures against these multifaceted threats.