Cyberspace in Contemporary Conflict: A Revolution in Military Affairs?
New actors have emerged on the battlefields of Ukraine. The nation has received significant support from Western states, international organizations, and private IT companies. This study asks the question, does the use of cyberspace by private IT companies in Russia’s war against Ukraine constitute a revolution in military affairs? This study analyzes resources provided to Ukraine by the so-called Big Tech companies, namely Amazon, Google, and Microsoft. Using Andrew Marshall’s revolution in military affairs concept, the study considers three criteria to determine the influence of private IT companies on the use of cyberspace for military purposes. While it cannot be conclusively determined that the involvement of private global IT companies in Russia’s war against Ukraine constitutes a revolution in military affairs, the findings underscore the complex significance of cyberspace in the conflict. This study presents tangible examples of the support and actions by Big Tech, shedding light on the power of these IT companies and their ability to shape the course of war.