Sun Tzu and Salami Tactics? Vladimir Putin and Military Persuasion in Ukraine, 21 February–18 March 2014
Journal: The Journal of Slavic Military Studies
Year: 2014

Vladimir Putin used a composite of ancient and modern methods of military persuasion in first destabilizing, and then annexing, Crimea in February and March of 2014. Putin’s use of military persuasion through Russian and proxy forces enabled him to annex Crimea and to set the stage for further imposition of Russia’s will on Ukraine’s eastern provinces. Russia’s determination to resist excessive Westernization by Ukraine, especially the possibility of Ukrainian membership in NATO, exceeded the wi