On 18–19 June, Mariia attended the Kiel International Seapower Symposium, “How to Defend Europe at the Northern Flank,” and contributed her insights into Russian deterrence activities at sea during the post-conference workshop. She introduced participants to the key findings of her ongoing research on the repertoire of Russian coercive tactics in the grey zone. In particular, her study of Russian lawfare in the High North spoke directly to one of the central questions the symposium posed: what is the opponent seeking to achieve?
The understanding of Russian seapower in the High North too often begins with an assessment of Western vulnerabilities. Yet legal frameworks can serve as early indicators of Russian strategic priorities and adaptation. Mariia urged workshop participants not to overlook their coercive dimension. A state’s legal practices, domestically and internationally, remain an important site deterrence signaling, and therefore should be embedded in NATO’s threat assessments accordingly.
