Russia's Shadow War: a document confirms a hybrid conflict against the US and its allies

Dated April 11, 2023, the document serves as an annex to the publicly accessible concept of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs' foreign policy. It calls for creating a mechanism to weaken the United States' allies by exploiting vulnerabilities in their domestic and foreign policies.

"The Washington Post" emphasizes that the document validates previous media and Western intelligence reports regarding Russia's destabilizing actions.

In the document, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs accuses Western nations and the USA of pursuing policies to maintain "Western hegemony" and engages in hybrid warfare with Russia. The secret annex advocates for interference in Western countries' domestic politics, destabilizing activities, and disinformation campaigns.

Reuters reported on Wednesday about a Microsoft analysis revealing that false accounts linked to Russia were involved in disseminating disinformation.

These Russian-linked false accounts aimed to persuade Americans of the futility of continuing support for Ukraine, with goals including influencing voters' opinions ahead of the U.S. presidential elections slated for November this year.

The annex also touches upon the Russian invasion of Ukraine, stating, "The outcome of Russia’s war in Ukraine will "to a great degree determine the outlines of the future world order". According to "The Washington Post," this indicates Russia's desire, alongside other authoritarian states, to project its worldview globally.

An insider connected to high-ranking Russian diplomats conveyed to the American newspaper that the strategies outlined in the annex are already in motion. The source pointed to Russia's rejection of an American resolution at the UN Security Council, intended to extend monitoring of North Korea's ballistic missile program, as a clear signal of Russia's strengthened ties with North Korea and its impact on the USA's international standing.

"The Washington Post" also gained access to recommendations formulated at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs' behest by Moscow's Institute of the Commonwealth of Independent States members. One recommendation from Vladimir Zharykhin of the Moscow Institute urged continued support for right-wing and isolationist forces in the USA and the promotion of destabilization in South America by supporting radical left-wing and right-wing groups.

Zharykhin further suggested renewing European countries' sovereignty by backing political parties opposed to economic pressures from the USA.

According to "The Washington Post," this document officially confirms that Russian foreign policy extends beyond traditional diplomacy to include destabilizing and disinformation actions targeting the USA and its allies.