Guerrilla attacks, sabotage and murder of officers: how Ukraine is leading an irregular war with the Russian Federation - CSIS

To spread: the Russian-Ukrainian confrontation has the signs of the so-called "irregular war", which occurs in parallel with regular fighting. The experience of Ukraine, which opposes a larger and stronger rival, has studied analysts at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Modern war is different from the usual fighting that took place in the last century, according to the analytical report of CSIS.

Researchers have created a 200-page document that studied the war in Ukraine, as well as conflicts in the Middle East. It is noted that Ukraine, the Russian Federation, and Israel, and Hamas militants are carried out by the "irregular" war, but the actions of each party have features, the report is reported. Focus identified the features of combat methods concerning Ukraine. Analysts emphasized that the "irregular war" occurs in parallel with the main combat actions.

The report described the two main features of Ukraine's methods. "The terrific price of war in Ukraine and in life, indicates that the exhausted but predatory Russia may prefer the use of irregular war instead of ordinary attacks to expand its influence in the future," the report is noted. CSIS explained that the Russian Federation focuses on hybrid military special operations (cyberattacks, attempts, fakes, muffling GPS, breakdown of cables, etc.

), Hamas - on diversions in which the civilians use as cover (blasting, hostage capture). Meanwhile, Ukraine's action by guerrilla methods in the rear of the enemy, violating logistics, undermining technique and topofers. The peculiarities of Israel's actions are intelligence that gives the opportunity to knock out Hamas and Hezbolla. Analysts emphasized that the leaders should be prepared for the "irregular war".

"The forces of special operations will play a particularly important role in the fight against irregular wars in the future. The Soo should be adapted, given the many differences between the battles against the forces of the Great State or with its support and battles with terrorists," CSIS analysts summed up. It should be noted that Focus wrote about explosions and diversions, which, as suspected, was staged by Ukraine in the Russian Federation and in the occupied territories.

The incidents concerned both the topofters of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and military/strategic objects. For example, on April 25, 2025 there was an explosion in the Moscow region in Balashis. It turned out that the car of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Defense Ministry Moskalik, a planner of hostilities in Ukraine, was flying into the air. In addition, the summer of 2025 was marked by two dozen drones and probably rockets on the oil refinery of the Russian Federation.