Civilian and Private Actors’ Support of Ukrainian National Resistance

Abstract

Civilian and private actors play an important role in Ukrainian national resistance efforts and are likely to be a feature of future conflicts. Studying their role in national resistance is therefore relevant. By identifying the different actors who support Ukrainian military forces, this study has found that resistance contributions are emerging from a broad part of civil society. Pre-existing networks are important. However, initiatives may be effective also when taking place spontaneous and undirected. A comprehensive whole of society approach will need to consider the informal and undirected channels through which support of national resistance may take place. This study seeks to strengthen the general knowledge of non-governmental support of national resistance. The findings are worth considering as part of Norwegian long-term defence planning.