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Conflict studies & analysis

INSTITUTE BRIEF

Independent research and analysis of Russia — its society, propaganda, and security challenges.

The Institute for Conflict Studies and Analysis of Russia (IKAR) is an independent, non-profit think tank providing policymakers, military experts, researchers, and journalists with insights on Russia and security challenges emerging from its policies. We conduct comprehensive, evidence-driven research on Russia — its internal processes, propaganda, and hybrid operations.

Latest Publications

Attacks on Russian Data Centers Expose the Vulnerability of the Kremlin’s Information Operations Infrastructure
Attacks on Russian Data Centers Expose the Vulnerability of the Kremlin’s Information Operations Infrastructure
Analytics

Attacks on Russian Data Centers Expose the Vulnerability of the Kremlin’s Information Operations Infrastructure

Ukrainian long-range drone strikes on Yandex data centers in Sasovo, Kaluga, and Vladimir have demonstrated one of the most effective ways to disrupt Russian information and psychological operations. Efforts to counter Russian propaganda have traditionally focused on the digital domain, including identifying bot networks, blocking accounts, and debunking disinformation. The recent destruction of server capacity…

Institutionalization of the Military Personnel Reserve Through the “Time of Heroes” Programme
Institutionalization of the Military Personnel Reserve Through the “Time of Heroes” Programme
Analytics

Institutionalization of the Military Personnel Reserve Through the “Time of Heroes” Programme

The transformation of public administration in the Russian Federation is increasingly subordinated to the goals of the systemic militarization of civilian apparatus and the formation of a closed caste of managers whose legitimacy rests on shared participation in the military aggression against Ukraine. Launched on Vladimir Putin’s direct instructions in spring 2024, the Time of…

Russia Rebuilds the State for a Protracted War and Lays Its Costs onto Europe
Russia Rebuilds the State for a Protracted War and Lays Its Costs onto Europe
Analytics

Russia Rebuilds the State for a Protracted War and Lays Its Costs onto Europe

Russia is expanding its hybrid activity beyond Ukraine and adapting mechanisms for financing covert operations. On the one hand, Moscow is stepping up pressure on European states – the primary donors to Ukraine’s defense. On the other, it is restructuring its domestic budgetary, social, and regional policies to ensure that high wartime expenditures can be…

Research

Briefings, public conversations, and closed-door roundtables.

See all research
Vladimir Putin’s Actual Trust Rating Is Far Lower Than the 70% Shown by Official Polls
Research

Vladimir Putin’s Actual Trust Rating Is Far Lower Than the 70% Shown by Official Polls

The Institute for Conflict Studies and Analysis of Russia (IKAR) conducted two regional sociological studies — one in Krasnodar krai and the other in Rostov oblast — as part of a systematic study of Russian society. The survey was conducted in Krasnodar krai from May 14 to 31, 2026, and in Rostov oblast…

Vladimir Putin’s Actual Trust Rating Is Far Lower Than the 70% Shown by Official Polls
Sociological survey: MIRROR OF RUSSIA, 10 wave
Research

Sociological survey: MIRROR OF RUSSIA, 10 wave

War has once again become the number one concern for Russians, and they would like it to end as soon as possible The Institute for Conflict Studies and Analysis of Russia (IKAR) conducted a sociological survey as part of its monitoring of Russian society, called the “Mirror of Russia.” The 10th wave was conducted from…

Sociological survey: MIRROR OF RUSSIA, 10 wave
Russian Interference in Electoral Processes: Risks for Ukraine
Research

Russian Interference in Electoral Processes: Risks for Ukraine

Russia uses common and proven approaches in its attempts to influence electoral processes in other countries. Significant efforts are directed at Russian-speaking voters in these countries and at presenting the elections there to their own citizens in the light necessary for internal political stability within the Russian Federation itself. Our research aims to analyze the…

Russian Interference in Electoral Processes: Risks for Ukraine

Analytics

Indicators, monitoring, and rapid-response analysis.

See all analytics
Attacks on Russian Data Centers Expose the Vulnerability of the Kremlin’s Information Operations Infrastructure
Analytics

Attacks on Russian Data Centers Expose the Vulnerability of the Kremlin’s Information Operations Infrastructure

Ukrainian long-range drone strikes on Yandex data centers in Sasovo, Kaluga, and Vladimir have demonstrated one of the most effective ways to disrupt Russian information and psychological operations. Efforts to counter Russian propaganda have traditionally focused on the digital domain, including identifying bot networks, blocking accounts, and debunking disinformation. The recent destruction of server capacity…

Attacks on Russian Data Centers Expose the Vulnerability of the Kremlin’s Information Operations Infrastructure
Institutionalization of the Military Personnel Reserve Through the “Time of Heroes” Programme
Analytics

Institutionalization of the Military Personnel Reserve Through the “Time of Heroes” Programme

The transformation of public administration in the Russian Federation is increasingly subordinated to the goals of the systemic militarization of civilian apparatus and the formation of a closed caste of managers whose legitimacy rests on shared participation in the military aggression against Ukraine. Launched on Vladimir Putin’s direct instructions in spring 2024, the Time of…

Institutionalization of the Military Personnel Reserve Through the “Time of Heroes” Programme
Russia Rebuilds the State for a Protracted War and Lays Its Costs onto Europe
Analytics

Russia Rebuilds the State for a Protracted War and Lays Its Costs onto Europe

Russia is expanding its hybrid activity beyond Ukraine and adapting mechanisms for financing covert operations. On the one hand, Moscow is stepping up pressure on European states – the primary donors to Ukraine’s defense. On the other, it is restructuring its domestic budgetary, social, and regional policies to ensure that high wartime expenditures can be…

Russia Rebuilds the State for a Protracted War and Lays Its Costs onto Europe