Wars of Russia: causes,determinants,course and consequences of military combat operations of the Russian Federation in the post-Cold War period

We invite you to participate in the academic conference “Wars of Russia: Causes, Determinants, Course, and Consequences of Military Combat Operations by the Russian Federation in the Post-Cold War Period,” dedicated to the analysis of the Russian Federation’s military operations following the end of the Cold War. The event will take place on June 12th 2026 in the Senate Hall of the Kazimierzowski Palace at the University of Warsaw from 11:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in English.

The event will bring together researchers and experts from Poland and abroad, representing, among others, the University of Warsaw, University College London, the University of Helsinki, the University of Tartu, the University of Lviv, King’s College, the University of Rzeszów, Marburg University, and the National University “Kyiv Aviation Institute.”

The aim of the conference is to provide an in-depth reflection on the causes, conditions, course, and consequences of Russian military operations in the post-Cold War era. Discussions will be divided into three main thematic areas: the political-strategic, military, and legal dimensions.

The conference will be opened by Vice-Dean for International Cooperation at the Faculty of Political Science and International Studies prof. Agnieszka Bieńczyk-Missala. The introductory remarks will be delivered by prof. Andrzej Szeptycki- Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Science and Higher Education and head of the “Wars of Russia” research project.

The first part of the conference will feature a panel discussion on the political and strategic dimensions of the Russian Federation’s military activities. The discussion will be moderated by prof. Markiyan Malsky of the University of Lviv. Panelists will include: prof. Roman Kuźniar, prof. Alicja Curanović, prof. Andrew Wilson of University College London and prof. Yevhen Mahda of the National University “Kyiv Aviation Institute.” They will reflect on the political and strategic determinants of Russian military actions in the post-Cold War era.

Following the first panel, a coffee break is scheduled, which will provide an opportunity for informal discussions and the exchange of views among conference participants.

The second panel will be dedicated to the military dimension of Russian military operations. This session will be moderated by prof. Maciej Milczanowski of  the University of Rzeszów. The discussion will feature: prof. Marek Madej, dr. Piotr Śledź, dr. Rod Thornton from King’s College and prof. Katri Pynnöniemi from the University of Helsinki. The panel will focus on the course, nature, and specific characteristics of the Russian Federation’s military operations.

Following this segment conference participants will have the opportunity to go to lunch.

The final session of the conference will focus on the legal aspects of the Russian Federation’s military operations. The panel will be moderated by dr. Spasimir Domaradzki. Speakers will include: prof. Patrycja Grzebyk, prof. Agnieszka Bieńczyk-Missala, prof. Stefanie Bock from Marburg University and dr. René Värk from the University of Tartu. The discussion will cover the legal aspects of Russian military operations, including their implications from the perspective of international law.

We invite everyone interested in issues of international security, the foreign policy of the Russian Federation, international law, and contemporary armed conflicts.