A number of mostly Western analyses of Russia’s actions in Ukraine, and to a lesser extent Syria, claim that they represent a new-“hybrid”-form of warfare whereas Russian scholars typically use the term to reference Western actions against Russia. What do Russia’s operations in Ukraine (pre-2022) and Syria tell us about the character of conflict in the 21st century? In answering this question, this research will address related secondary questions such as: a) Has there been change? If so, what has changed and have such changes been revolutionary or evolutionary? b) Has there been continuity? If so, what has not changed? and c) what, if any, linkages are there between Russia’s approaches today with those after, during, and/or before the Soviet era, and what are the implications? This research will address critical gaps in the literature by considering the totality of Russia’s actions in Syria and Ukraine in comparison to each conflict; greater sourcing from Russian, Ukrainian, and more critical scholarship; insights from those directly involved with aspects of Russia’s interventions; and consideration of underreported tools utilized by Russia in each conflict.