The Co-mingling of Military and Civilian Infrastructure in the Cyber Operations of the Russia–Ukraine War

Abstract

In 21st-century armed conflicts, cyberspace has become a dominant theater of war, where kinetic strikes and cyber operations support one another in close symbiosis and in real time. Building on the lessons learned from the Russia – Ukraine war, this study analyzes the technological and functional interdependence of military and civilian critical infrastructure. The author points out that during attacks on dual-use systems – particularly energy supply and telecommunications – the line between military and civilian targets becomes blurred, leading to serious social consequences and international ripple effects. Through specific case studies (Viasat, Kyivstar, and attacks on energy grids), the article examines the practice of hybrid warfare, demonstrating that the disruption of civilian systems has become an integral part of modern military operations. The analysis devotes particular attention to the paradigm shift in defense: it illustrates how global private technology companies and civil society have become key players in Ukraine’s digital defense. The study concludes that future national resilience can no longer be guaranteed solely through a state monopoly; rather, effective defense requires integrated, trust-based cooperation among the civil sector, the private sector, and defense agencies.