Khrystyna Holynska

From Gatherer of Lands to Gravedigger: A Political Assessment of Putin's War on Ukraine

Putin's war in Ukraine is already redefining the entire international order. If the United States acts now, it may be able to influence the shape of the post-war geopolitical terrain.

Politics of Ukrainian Reconstruction

When fighting subsides, Ukraine may undergo reconstruction on the scale of the post–World War II Marshall Plan. Debate is ramping up about core issues, such as the scope of reconstruction, sources of funding, and reforms needed for success. Ukraine and the West might begin now to forge consensus on these issues.

Understanding Russia's Motivations, and Using Them

The concept of ontological security could help explain Putin's war on Ukraine and his regime's reasoning. It's about maintaining a continuous sense of self, and in this case, of state identity. Putin may have deemed the invasion necessary to maintain a sense of continuity and order, where order is Russia's continued adversarial relationship with the West.

How Russia's Nuclear Double Cross of Ukraine Teaches Dangerous Lessons

Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the West's support for Kyiv has been tempered by an ace up Vladimir Putin's sleeve: the potential use of nuclear weapons. But other countries are taking notice, which could imperil world stability even further.

Rebuilding Ukraine

By leveraging better investment conditions and reforms and broad international support, Ukraine could carry out a well-executed reconstruction program once the fighting ends. It might repair much of the war damage and help Ukraine move into the ranks of faster-growing European economies.

Russia's Problems with Military Professionalization

Even if Russia manages to take control of the territory of Ukraine, the Russian military's underlying problems with professionalization may handicap these occupiers in their efforts to maintain control over that country for the long-term.

Continuity of Government in Ukraine

On February 23 Russia launched a war on Ukraine. Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky and its parliament might accelerate steps to ensure the continuity of government, a need made more urgent because of the risk that Kyiv could soon fall.

Two Choices in Ukraine

Facing existential risk, Ukraine may consider unprecedented steps. Urgent measures might help it protect against a Russian invasion. And if the immediate threat were to ebb, Ukraine might use the time gained to prepare for potential future threats.

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The Limits of Russian Manipulation: National Identity and the Origins of the War in Ukraine

Using the concept of national identity as a starting point, RAND researchers developed a framework in an effort to illuminate the underlying causes of Russian manipulation, Ukrainian resistance, and the Russia-Ukraine war.

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The Nightingale Versus the Bear: What Persuasion Research Reveals About Ukraine's and Russia's Messaging on the War

The authors examine influence campaigns employed by Ukraine and Russia since February 2022 — both those targeting each state's own people and military personnel and those targeting the adversary — to understand whether the campaigns have been persuasive.

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Russian Military Personnel Policy and Proficiency: Reforms and Trends, 1991–2021

The authors of this report draw on Russian-language sources to examine trends in Russian military personnel policies and initiatives from the 1990s through December 2021, prior to Russia's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

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Great-Power Competition and Conflict in Latin America

This report explores the potential for competition and conflict among the United States, China, and Russia in Latin America; where competition might turn into conflict; what form that conflict might take; and the implications for the United States.

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The Trade-Offs of Ukraine's Recovery: Fighting for the Future

In making decisions about reconstruction, the Ukrainian people and their government will face trade-offs regarding timelines, prioritization of efforts, leadership, and funding.

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Great-Power Competition and Conflict in the 21st Century Outside the Indo-Pacific and Europe

This report explores where the United States, China, and Russia may be competing for influence in secondary theaters; where and why competition might turn to conflict; what form that conflict might take; and implications for the United States.

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Countering Domestic Racially and Ethnically Motivated Violent Terrorism on Social Media: Introducing the Racist and Violent Extremist Flock Tool

Researchers developed the Racist and Violent Extremist Flock (RVE-Flock) tool to explore and analyze textual content on racially and ethnically motivated violent extremist–affiliated social media. This guide explains the tool's functionality.

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Russia's Evolution Toward a Unified Strategic Operation: The Influence of Geography and Conventional Capacity

In this report, RAND researchers examine the reasons behind Russia's evolution toward a unified strategic operation, as well as the capabilities that would be necessary to execute key conventional offensive tasks in such an operation.

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Chinese and Russian Perceptions of and Responses to U.S. Military Activities in the Space Domain

RAND researchers reviewed a variety of Chinese and Russian primary sources to understand internal Chinese and Russian perceptions of U.S. military space-related policies and activities. This report presents the results of their analysis.

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Rivalry in the Information Sphere: Russian Conceptions of Information Confrontation

Information confrontation, with historical roots in Russian (and Soviet) military thinking, is an important element of Russian military strategy. The Ukrainian experience offers insights into Russia's present-day and future use of information confrontation and hybrid warfare.

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Russian and Ukrainian Perspectives on the Concept of Information Confrontation: Translations, 2002–2020

This volume compiles texts from leading members of the military-scientific communities in Russia and Ukraine and illustrates how decisionmakers in these countries understand and debate information weapons and information influence.