Cognitive warfare and the logic of power: reinterpreting offensive realism in Russia’s strategic information operations

This article examines how Russia deploys cognitive warfare in the Russo-Ukrainian conflict through the theoretical lens of offensive realism. By conceptualizing cognitive warfare as a non-kinetic strategy of power maximization, the study argues that such tactics are not merely reactive or defensive but serve as proactive instruments to reshape the international strategic environment. Methodologically, the research adopts a qualitative content analysis of political statements, social media narratives, and government documents from both Russian and Ukrainian sources, complemented by in-depth case studies of digital influence operations. The findings demonstrate that Russia’s narrative manipulation – particularly through social media, state media, and strategic deception – aligns with the offensive realist imperative to enhance relative power without direct military engagement. By analyzing cognitive warfare through the lens of offensive realism, this study expands the framework’s analytical reach to contemporary information conflict, offering insights into how digital influence operations shape power dynamics among states.