Russia’s growing campaign of interference in the West
US presidential elections
T
he 2016 US election and the early weeks of Donald Trump’s administration have been dominated by allegations that Russia hacked political organisations to undermine American democracy.
US intelligence agencies have said they believe the Kremlin ordered a series of cyber attacks to target Hillary Clinton’s campaign and sway the vote in favour of Mr Trump.
At the same time, its propaganda experts were alleged to have unleashed a barrage of disinformation and so-called fake news stories on social media.
John McCain, the senior Republican senator, said the result was an unprecedented “attack on our democracy."
Ukraine
Russia’s annexation of Crimea in early 2014 and its support for armed separatists in eastern Ukraine set a new benchmark for Moscow’s brazen aggression under Vladimir Putin.
After the overthrow of Ukraine’s pro-Russian president, Viktor Yanukovych, seemed to herald a move into the Western fold, Russia launched a sophisticated campaign of cyber attacks and propaganda, while at the same time funding local militia and bolstering them with conventional forces in disguise.
Many military analysts believe this campaign of so-called hybrid warfare, which is designed to be murky and deniable enough to make it difficult for the West to respond, will set a template for any future Russian interference.
Three years on, Russia appears to have its goal: Ukraine is hobbled by an unresolved conflict in the east and unable to join Nato or the European Union.
Alexander Litvinenko
The assassination of the former Russian spy in London, under the noses of the British government, was an early indication that Moscow may have embarked on a new phase of aggression.