ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the war in Ukraine as a confluence of traditional kinetic warfare and the digital age's technological innovations. The analysis highlights how conventional methods, such as mass mobilisation, artillery dominance, and entrenched battles, coexist with cutting-edge tools like drones, artificial intelligence (AI), and hypersonic missiles. The narrative unfolds from Russia's hybrid strategies in 2014, emphasising covert military actions and political manipulation, to the full-scale 2022 invasion characterised by conventional and novel tactics exploiting available technologies. Despite predictions of a revolutionary impact of emerging technologies on warfare, the conflict demonstrates their supplementary role to traditional strategies. The chapter concludes with insights into the strategic and operational lessons learned, underscoring the interplay between innovation, adaptability, and enduring military doctrines in shaping future conflicts.
