ICDS held a seminar “Insights into the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) in Eastern Ukraine” on November 5, 2015. ICDS research fellow Dmitri Teperik moderated discussion with a group of visiting Ukrainian experts as well as paramilitary servicemen (National Guard of Ukraine) and representatives of volunteer military organizations with hands-on field experience from the anti-terrorist operation (ATO). Speakers presented their lessons learned in the area of operations and discussed the ongoing transformation of the paramilitary forces in Ukraine. The seminar was held under the Chatham House rule.
The seminar was organized in the framework of ICDS project “Comprehensive understanding of motivational factors of military volunteers in Ukraine and Estonia”. The project generates original data, extend knowledge base and support expertise in organizational, transformational, structural and motivational issues of military volunteer formations during a crisis and peacetime. The results can be successfully exploited in shaping and directing decision-making and content-building process in regards of a more efficient countering hostile psychological and information operations. ICDS project team: Dmitri Teperik (International Centre for Defence and Security), Anna Bulakh (International Centre for Defence and Security) and Silva Kiili (International Centre for Defence and Security).