The concept of ontological security as an explanatory mechanism for the causes of Russian aggression against Ukraine

Abstract

The aim of this article is to recognise the extent to which research into Russian aggression against Ukraine has progressed using one school of international relations (IR) – ontological security. This approach is intended to refine the inference process in relation to the classical SM schools. The article draws on the first scholarly articles addressing the issue and critically evaluates them. Conclusions resulting from their critical reading allow pointing out the presence of a significant cognitive gap in relation to the analysed problem, prescribing to undertake empirical research on Russian autobiographical narratives of wartime using specialised interpretative tools.