The armed conflict in Ukraine has been an awakening to many a Finn to the realities of modern-day hybrid warfare, a military strategy that blends conventional warfare with a variety of other methods.
“Ukraine is unlikely to be the last conflict where new methods are applied,” views Carl Haglund (SFP), the Minister of Defence.
The methods of hybrid warfare include influencing through information, military coercion, stripping soldiers of identifying insignia and cyber warfare.
In particular, attempts to influence with information have stirred up a debate in recent months. “Information circulates ever faster, both real and false information. That requires excellent media literacy skills, which Finns do possess. I nonetheless believe most Finns continue to trust in the veracity of the information circulating in the media,” estimates Haglund.
In Russia, he points out, most people do not realise that the information provided by the media may be inaccurate. On the other hand, false messages have also been disseminated in Finland, either deliberately or unknowingly.
Laura Halminen – HS
Aleksi Teivainen – HT
© HELSINGIN SANOMAT
Photo: Sami Kilpiö / HS
