The Russo-Ukrainian War in Analytical Reflections of British Observers (Based on Materials From «The British Army Review») (2022–2024))

In the article the features of covering the issues of the modern Russo-Ukrainian War in the columns of «The British Army Review» (2022–2024) have been analyzed. At the same time, the methodology of the research is based on the principles of objectivity, scientificity, systematicity and historicism, as well as the application of an interdisciplinary approach. There have been also used the structural functional and comparative historical methods. The scientific novelty of the article consists in revealing the features of covering the full-scale stage of the Russo-Ukrainian War on the pages of «The British Army Review». According to the analysis, the Russo-Ukrainian War issue received a lot more coverage in the British magazine «The British Army Review» starting from 2022.

The number of references to Ukraine and the Russian aggression has increased significantly in comparison to prior years (2014–2021). At the same time, the first (spring) issue of 2024 has been analyzed, which was dedicated to repelling the offensive on Kyiv in February–March 2022.

 Taking into consideration the war in Ukraine, it has been discovered that the magazine’s authors realised the drastic need to improve their own armed forces. First of all, emphasizing modernization (managerial, technical), mobilization (improving the process itself taking into account Ukrainian experience), improving communications, the need to accelerate the procurement of air defense systems, long-range weapons, electronic warfare, unmanned aerial vehicles, the need to replenish strategic reserves and generally improve the material and technical base, etc. At the same time, quite objectively assessing the course, consequences of combat and political actions and further intentions. The authors clearly identify Russia as the main threat to peace and security in Europe, hence, recognize the need to prepare for a possible confrontation with it. Emphasizing the fact that deterrence is possible not only nuclear, but also with the help of a powerful army.