Five years into the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Kremlin continues to officially label its military engagement a “special military operation,” avoiding the term “war.” This linguistic choice serves as a central pillar of Russian domestic policy, enabling the state to bypass constitutional mandates, manage public perception, and maintain a facade of normalcy while mobilizing hundreds of thousands of troops. According to analysis by Marusya Sinkevich, editor-in-chief at United24, this deliberate branding has allowed Moscow to control the boundaries of public discourse and delay the societal friction typically associated with total war.
Why does the Kremlin refuse to declare war?
The refusal to use the term “war” provides the Russian government with essential legal and psychological flexibility. Under Russian law, a formal declaration of war triggers specific administrative and constitutional obligations that could force the state to acknowledge the severity of the conflict to its own citizens. By maintaining the “special military operation” framework, Moscow has successfully avoided mass panic, as the terminology implies a temporary, controlled, and professionalized effort rather than an existential national struggle. As noted by Sinkevich, this narrative has effectively bought the Kremlin time, allowing for a gradual, incremental shift toward a war economy that avoids the immediate shocks of a full-scale mobilization.
In June 2026, Russian authorities refused to disclose the locations of local bomb shelters, citing the lack of an official “state of war.” This highlights the paradox where the state uses its own linguistic labels to deny citizens access to standard wartime safety protocols.
How does language shape public perception?
Language control has been a primary tool for managing the Russian public’s reaction to the conflict. By framing the invasion as a “special operation” rather than a war against a sovereign nation, the Kremlin avoids the contradiction of attacking people it describes as “brothers.” This narrative relies on the premise that Russia is “denazifying” and “demilitarizing” Ukraine rather than engaging in a territorial war. According to United24, this branding helps maintain the support of citizens who might otherwise reject a direct war against a neighbor, provided the government maintains the illusion that the conflict remains limited in scope and intent.
What are the long-term economic and military trends?
Despite the official terminology, the reality on the ground reflects a nation fully engaged in a major conflict. Russia has expanded its military to approximately 2.4 million personnel and shifted a significant portion of its industrial capacity toward military production. Western intelligence estimates cited by United24 suggest that over 900,000 Russian troops have been killed or wounded, a scale of loss that historically accompanies prolonged, high-intensity warfare. While the Kremlin avoids the label of “war,” the sheer volume of military engagement—including the launch of over 14,000 missiles and hundreds of thousands of drones—demonstrates a commitment to the conflict that far exceeds the scope of a limited special operation.
Comparison: Official Rhetoric vs. Industrial Reality
| Metric | Official Kremlin Stance | Observed Reality |
|---|---|---|
| Conflict Status | Special Military Operation | Total war economy |
| Military Personnel | Professionalized force | 2.4 million mobilized |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the “special military operation” label matter internationally?
The term acts as a diplomatic shield. It creates enough ambiguity for sympathetic governments to avoid calling the invasion a “war,” which slows down international consensus and complicates the delivery of military aid to Ukraine. It frames the aggression as a technical, limited security matter rather than an outright war of conquest.
Could Russia officially declare war in the future?
While there is no constitutional barrier to declaring war, doing so would force the government to accept the political and social consequences of a full-scale mobilization. Unless the Kremlin decides that the benefits of full mobilization outweigh the risks of potential public instability, they are likely to maintain the current, albeit increasingly absurd, terminology.
How long has the conflict actually been ongoing?
While the full-scale invasion began in February 2022, the broader conflict in Ukraine dates back to 2014. Counting from the initial incursions, the conflict has spanned over 4,400 days, or roughly 12 years, according to data highlighted by United24.
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