Russian military deception, sometimes known as
maskirovka (
Russian:
маскировка,
lit. 'disguise'
[1]), is a
military doctrine developed from the start of the 20th century. The doctrine covers a broad range of measures for
military deception, from
camouflage to
denial and deception.
Deceptive measures include concealment,
imitation with
decoys and
dummies,
manoeuvres intended to deceive, denial, and
disinformation. The 1944
Soviet Military Encyclopedia refers to "means of securing combat operations and the daily activities of forces; a complexity of measures, directed to mislead the enemy regarding the presence and disposition of forces..."
[2] Later versions of the doctrine also include strategic, political, and diplomatic means including manipulation of "the facts", situation, and perceptions to affect the media and opinion around the world, so as to achieve or facilitate tactical, strategic, national and international goals.
[3]
Deception contributed to major
Soviet victories including the
Battle of Stalingrad, the
Battle of Kursk, and
Operation Bagration (in
Belarus): in these cases, surprise was achieved despite very large concentrations of force, both in attack and in defence. The doctrine has also been put into practice in peacetime, with denial and deception operations in events such as the
Cuban Missile Crisis, the
Prague Spring, and the
annexation of Crimea.