A Little Masquerade: Russia's Evolving Employment of Maskirovka

[Baked Potato]

Abstract

A Little Masquerade: Russia’s Evolving Employment of Maskirovka, by MAJ Morgan Maier, United States Army, 55 pages.

“A little masquerade” is the literal English translation of the Russian maskirovka. Synonymous with deception, maskirovka is a complex Russian cultural phenomenon that defies easy definition. Despite the West’s lack of interest in its former protagonist, the Russian Federation Armed Forces enjoyed continuity with its former Soviet character. The Russian Federation Armed Forces carried forward military theory, doctrine, and thought in the intervening years between the collapse of the Soviet Union and resurgence of Russian assertiveness. This included the importance of deception in the achievement of military objectives. Maskirovka is culturally rooted in Russian society and an important facet of Russian military operations. This monograph analyses the evolution of Russia’s employment of maskirovka from the Second World War through the invasion of Ukraine in 2014. It argues that Russia’s employment of maskirovka has evolved from a concept employed by the military to a concept employed by the whole of government. Once a means used to create advantageous conditions on the battlefield, maskirovka evolved to create ambiguity and uncertainty in the operating environment to enable freedom of action for achievement of Russian military and political objectives.

https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/AD1022096.pdf

This paper helps to explain Russian Armed Forces use of deception in war and government operations.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

1. Quite interesting, for the historical angle & current implications.

Overly verbose and containing careless typos, but worth skimming and dipping into.

Modern Russian terminology is "obdan" (obscure?). This Russian military doctrine fits perfectly with Putin's approach in 2022. He expected all the deception to support and dovetail with a blitz decapitation of Ukrainian government, including assassination teams.

It's crumbling. Even in Russia.

Biden was very wise to have US agencies expose the steady amassing of forces against Ukraine. Unmasking the subterfuge prepared the West for the invasion when it occurred. NATO troops and forces had been beefed up in Eastern Europe. The US public was aroused and ready for severe economic measures despite unsettled situations regarding continuance of governance and public health and the economy.

[Baked Potato]

2. Yes, I noticed the paper being verbose and some typos.

I think military people tend to write with sometimes too much detail and the typos should’ve been caught for sure, even in the school setting.

Of particular interest to me was the section on the Cuban Missile Crises. I didn’t realize the many outright lies of Soviets and the boldness of what they attempted. Ultimately, not believing any explanations and the actions of CIA and U2 really saved the day.

I agree with your last paragraph. I think Joe Biden and the whole team should be recognized of the historical significance of causing Putin to fail in the actual combat and the overall disinformation war. It’s an epic miscalculation and failure of Intel by Russians causing the exact opposite results of their strategic goals. Also, Putin’s failure also is a blow to the Russian cheerleaders here.

The West, I think, used their own brand of “Masquerade” and convinced Putin that the Ukrainian leadership would offer no resistance. This would mean Putin thought his inside people would easily succeed in what you mentioned with the assassinations and decapitations of Zelensky leadership abilities. President Biden, a mature leader, runs a tight ship.

Putin was blinded by his desire to severely injure Joe Biden politically and embarrass America. Putin was looking for a springboard to spread RW presence throughout Europe and thought by now he would be riding high on a horse throughout Ukraine and beyond.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

3. The idea that the West sucked Putin into a war is nonsense. The West had nothing to gain

The West and Ukraine had everything to lose.

I do not like seeing that Right Wing Qon theory that the West is to blame by sucking Putin in.

I think Putin wanted to expand and thought he could easily get away with it.