More than two and a half years have passed since the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The war has featured both traditional warfare such as the massive use of artillery and tanks as well as the use of new technology, including e.g. drones. In parallel, the use of information technologies, smart phones and social media have launched an information war, in which both state and non-state actors spread competing narratives and combat propaganda. New technologies therefore add a complex layer to the ongoing war and imply new challenges on the battlefield.
The war in Ukraine has had significant repercussions on the European security order, leading to Sweden seeking membership to and becoming a member of NATO. Ukraine has received large support in the form of material from the European Union and the United States among others. How has this impacted the war and what does it mean for the long-term situation on the ground in Ukraine? What are some of the lessons learnt from the war from a Swedish perspective?
Russia’s war strategy in Ukraine has been characterised by a combination of conventional military tactics and hybrid warfare techniques, including disinformation campaigns. How has this shaped the understanding of the war in Ukraine and internationally – and what can we expect from the war this year and the coming years?
As we have seen in Ukraine, the internet will not be switched off in wartime. The use of smart phones permits citizens to stay instantly updated on current events, but also provides unprecedented opportunities to record and document scenes and evidence from the war and share information real-time. This digital warfare highlights a new dimension to the war and blurs the line between civilians and combatants.
In addition, private technology such as Starlink and state affiliated private military companies such as the Wagner group have also played a role in the ongoing war in Ukraine. Autonomous weapons and the continued development of artificial intelligence emphasise the importance of discussing and understanding the future of warfare, including how conventional and new technology can interact.
These developments impact not only countries such as Ukraine but also has global effects. What will the new battlefield of tomorrow look like, how will artificial intelligence impact the future of war and how will the development of non-state actors be in the future? Is broad international cooperation – or legislation – possible in combating new technologies?
These and many more questions will be discussed in the seminar. Welcome!
This seminar is co-hosted with the Swedish Defence University.
Programme
13.00 Welcome remarks
Robert Egnell, Vice-Chancellor, Swedish Defence University
Maud Holma von Heijne, Secretary-General, Folk och Försvar
Introduction
Pasi Huikuri, Program manager for security policy, Folk och Försvar
Lessons from the war in Ukraine and the long-term impact in Europe
Jack Watling, Senior research fellow, Land warfare, Royal United Services Institute
Carolina Vendil Pallin, Deputy research director, Russia and Eurasia, Swedish Defence Research Agency
Dara Massicot, Senior fellow, Russia and Eurasia program, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Future warfare – Implications for Sweden
Matthew Ford, Senior lecturer, Associate professor, Swedish Defence University
The digital battlefields of future wars
Kristin Ljungkvist, Associate professor of war studies, Swedish Defence University
Hanna Linderstål, CEO, Earhart Business Protection Agency
Carl Fredrik Wettermark, Senior director, National Security Council, Prime Minister’s Office of Sweden
Joakim Paasikivi, Independent defence analyst
15.00 End of seminar
Please note that the doors open at 12.30, please arrive in time for the ID check. Coffee will be served.
There will be an ID check.
It is only necessary to register to attend the seminar if you intend to do so in person. The seminar will be livestreamed and available afterwards on this site and on our Youtube channel. This seminar will be held in English.
The seminar is full. However, it is possible to register for the waiting list.
Waiting list
Anmälan till seminariet är nu stängd.