Nataliia Lepska

The full-scale incursion by Russia into Ukraine in February 2022 starkly revealed the aggressive, manipulative, and deceitful nature of the Russian autocracy. This action effectively employed state terrorism and led to Russia being labeled as a terrorist state. This article undertakes a thorough examination of the emerging geopolitical concept known as the “terrorist state” within the broader context of the evolution and hybridization of terrorism. The authors employ a conceptual analysis of the “terrorist state” as a manifestation of destructive aggression, utilizing the instrumental axes methodology. They delve into the distinctive characteristics of state-sponsored terrorism and explore the static structural and dynamic processes leading an autocracy toward the designation of a terrorist state. In this discourse, the authors highlight the pressing necessity to broaden the research perspectives within the realms of terrorism theory and praxeology by introducing the novel concept of a “terrorist state” into the normative framework of international law and counter-terrorism strategies. This research holds significant practical relevance amid contemporary geopolitical tensions, providing a scholarly basis for proactive policies aimed at addressing autocratic dictatorships that challenge the global security apparatus. Additionally, it underscores the importance of strategic isolation measures directed at terrorist states.