This master’s thesis examines the role of irregular forces in the Russo-Ukrainian conflict from February 2014 to the end of February 2022. The aim of the research was to analyse the development of their organisational structures and functioning and to examine their role in the dynamics of the conflict, the broader context of hybrid warfare, and the onset of the Russian invasion in 2022. The research is based on a qualitative analysis of primary and secondary sources, primarily academic literature, expert analyses, and reports. The analysis showed that irregular forces represented an important factor in the development and dynamics of the conflict. On the pro-Russian side, their roles differed depending on the area of operation. In Crimea, they primarily supported the covert activities of Russian regular forces, whereas in Donbas they initially operated more independently but gradually became increasingly connected to and dependent on Russian support. On the pro-Ukrainian side, irregular forces emerged primarily as a response to the spread of separatism and supplemented the weakened capabilities of state defence and security structures. As the conflict developed, the pro-Russian formations gradually became institutionalised, while the Ukrainian formations were largely integrated into state structures. The findings suggest that pro-Ukrainian irregular forces contributed to containing the spread of the separatism beyond Donbas, while pro-Russian formations contributed to the escalation and prolongation of the conflict and formed part of broader political, military, and security strategies aimed at advancing Russian influence in Ukraine.
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