Abstract

Problem setting. Countries participating in wars usually differ in their potential. Interest in the question of the possibility of those countries, which are inferior to other countries in their potentials, to defeat a stronger adversary, increases in periods of exacerbation of interstate relations and in times of war. One of the types of asymmetric wars is hybrid warfare. In hybrid wars, they use an exhaustion strategy. This strategy involves not only the exhaustion of economic, military, but also psychological - the loss of the will to win. Recent research and publications analysis. The subject ofstudies of asymmetric wars now is the study of their essence and features, an increase in the number ofparticipants in such wars. Scientists distinguish asymmetries in war as different legal status; opportunities; different strategies. Much attention is paid to the study of asymmetric hybrid warfare. It is believed that the strategy in this war is the strategy of exhaustion. Ways to avoid war exhaustion and the technologies that contribute to it are also a subject of study. Paper objective. The objectives of the research is to study the features of asymmetric hybrid wars; the possibility of applying a depletion strategy by countries that are inferior to the enemy in potential; determination of the possibility of using the strategy ofexhaustion of Ukraine in a hybrid war against the aggressor country. Paper main body. An indication of asymmetric wars is the difference in the potential of warring countries. Countries participating in asymmetric wars can choose the depletion strategy regardless of their potential. The choice of a depletion strategy by a country can depend on both the desire to achieve the desired result without significant human loss and the understanding that forces are unequal, that it is impossible to defeat the enemy by military means. The methods of exhaustion can be applied differently. The aggressor country can achieve its goals by combining military operations with actions to destabilize the situation in the country, which is a victim of aggression. Conclusions of the research. Hybrid war is a kind of asymmetric war. In such wars, the strategy of exhaustion is often used. To win an asymmetric hybrid war, a country that is a victim of aggression, which has less potential and adheres to international standards, can, firstly, provided that the sanctions against the aggressor country are so effective that they force it to end the war; secondly, due to the preservation of society’s desire to defend the independence of the state.