Hybrid threats and mobile devices : a systems perspective on the use of smartphones in hybrid warfare

Podlesnik, Luka (author), Mihelič, Anže (author), Markelj, Blaž (author)

The proliferation of civilian mobile technologies in modern conflict zones has significantly transformed the operational, psychological, and cyber aspects of warfare. The paper employs a systems thinking approach to model the use of mobile devices in hybrid warfare, with a particular focus on the Russian-Ukrainian conflict (2014-2024). Using a causal loop diagram (CLD) based on empirical data, the paper shows how mobile devices serve as both tactical tools and systemic vulnerabilities. It identifies the reinforcing feedback loops that accelerate the integration of mobile devices into battlefield operations, such as enhanced communication, crowdsourced intelligence, and deployment of operational apps, while also recognizing the balancing feedback structures that create friction through cyber threats, disinformation, signal exposure, and psychological stress. The model highlights how trust and psychological resilience serve as critical behavioral levers within the system, susceptible to both positive reinforcement and cascading degradation. This systems-based perspective informs strategic planning and underscores the importance of managing both the technological benefits and the emerging vulnerabilities of mobile device use in modern conflicts.

• Language: English
• Keywords: hybrid warfare, mobile devices, cyber operations, electronic warfare, digital resilience
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: FE - Faculty of Electrical Engineering
• Year: 2025
• Number of pages: Str. 229-242
• Numbering: Letn. 92, št. 5
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-183577
• UDC: 004.382.73/.77:355.4
• ISSN on article: 0013-5852
• COBISS.SI-ID: 261826307
• Publication date in RUL: 15.06.2026

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Elektrotehniški vestnik
• Publisher: Strokovna zadruga koncesijoniranih elektrotehnikov, Elektrotehniška zveza Slovenije
• ISSN: 0013-5852
• COBISS.SI-ID: 742916

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Title: Hibridne grožnje in mobilne naprave: sistemski pogled na uporabo pametnih telefonov v hibridnem vojskovanju

Abstract

Razmah civilnih mobilnih tehnologij v sodobnih konfliktnih območjih je močno preoblikoval operativne, psihološke in kibernetske razsežnosti vojskovanja. Članek s sistemskim pristopom analizira uporabo mobilnih naprav v hibridnem vojskovanju, s posebnim poudarkom na rusko-ukrajinskem konfliktu (2014–2024). S pomočjo diagramov vzročnih zank (CLD) na podlagi empiričnih podatkov pokaže, da mobilne naprave delujejo hkrati kot taktična orodja in kot sistemske ranljivosti. Opiše krepitvene zanke, ki pospešujejo vključevanje mobilnih naprav v bojne operacije – od izboljšane komunikacije in množičnega zbiranja obveščevalnih podatkov do uporabe operativnih aplikacij – ter uravnoteževalne zanke, ki ustvarjajo trenja prek kibernetskih groženj, dezinformacij, razkritja signalov in psiholoških obremenitev. Model poudari, da sta zaupanje in psihološka odpornost ključna vedenjska vzvoda, občutljiva na pozitivne učinke, pa tudi na hitro erozijo. Takšen sistemski pogled podpira strateško načrtovanje in izpostavlja pomen uravnavanja tehnoloških prednosti ter novih ranljivosti, ki jih prinaša uporaba mobilnih naprav v sodobnih konfliktih.

• Keywords: hibridno vojskovanje, mobilne naprave, kibernetske operacije, elektronsko vojskovanje, digitalna odpornost