2021

Luoma-Aho, Vilma; Tsetsura, Katerina; Kugappi, Anastasia

This chapter examines how strategic communication and strategic communications (a collection of different operations) are understood in Russia and identifies differences in such communication between the West and Russia. A diverse academic and practical context of Russia contributes to diversity in definitions of strategic communication. The concept is mostly used in the context of political communication and geopolitics, but also in business. The chapter distinguishes ten differences between Western and Russian understanding of strategic communication. These include logic of the message, order of communication, intended audience, auto-communication, source, context, utilization of probing, threats, differences in levels of transparency, and overall strategy. The authors conclude that Russian strategic communication often utilizes strategic ambiguity, and, thus, aims are not always clearly stated: in fact, it may prove to be of strategic value if information is not disclosed. This chapter contributes to one’s understanding how strategic communication is utilized in Russia and where differences in its use may originate.