That effective cyber approach stands or falls with good cyber integration throughout the campaign. Russia is only moderately successful at this, while Ukraine manages to beat the PR machine at every offensive hacktivists distribute effectively. ‘That integration is at least much better with Ukraine than with the Russians. It’s interesting to see how things can be done if cyber, digital and online are properly integrated.’
“A successful cyber operation takes a long time and Russia doesn’t have that”
A successful cyber operation—whether it involves shutting down satellites, networks, and banks, or a digital attack on a power plant—requires a lot of planning and preparation. Russia simply doesn’t have that time, especially now that the country itself is under attack, Maasland says. Yet there are alternatives. “I think Russia should completely switch to information operations, like hacking into webmail accounts and reading Signal conversations.”
Western support is essential
When something works well, you just keep using it, says Paul Ducheine, a brigadier general and professor of cyber warfare at the Defense Academy, of Ukraine’s cyber supremacy. For Zelensky it is essential that Western support continues. So the whole media campaign is both a lifeline and an Achilles heel of Ukraine: if Western support wanes, Ukraine will be overcome in this fight.’
Not only is the defense in good hands with Ukraine, Ducheine says. The country is also very good at keeping communication alive. “The Russians cannot physically or digitally silence Zelensky; he still walks around and can still tell Ukraine and the world any day what’s going on.’
Listen to the entire Perestroika episode here