Nataliya Bugayova is the Russia Fellow and a Modern Warfare Fellow at ISW. She previously led ISW’s Russia research team where she helped build the analytical framework that serves as the foundation for ISW’s reporting on Russia. Her work focuses on the Kremlin’s decision-making, information operations, and campaigns from Ukraine to Africa. She also serves as the Director of Intelligence at Babel Street – a US AI company and an ISW technology partner. She previously worked on reform efforts in Ukraine in the aftermath of the 2014 pro-democracy Euromaidan Revolution. She was the Chief Executive Officer of the Kyiv Post, then Ukraine’s only independent English-language publication. She also served as the adviser on international cooperation to a former Ukrainian Economy Minister, appointed in February 2014.
She is the author of “How We Got Here with Russia: The Kremlin’s Worldview” and the “Primer on Russian Cognitive Warfare.” Her insights have been featured in Foreign Policy, Fox News, PBS NewsHour, CNN, NBC News, The Hill, BBC. She has testified in the US Congress and the European Parliament.
She regularly briefs US military and civilian leaders. She is a graduate of Harvard Kennedy School. She is also an International Strategy Forum Fellow – an initiative of Google’s former CEO Eric Schmidt for rising national security and technology leaders.
Areas of Expertise
Russia & Ukraine
Focus Areas
Product Line
Map Series
Latest Research By
Nataliya Bugayova
Special Report
Kremlin
Cognitive Warfare
Russia & Ukraine
The Kremlin is Cultivating an AI-Trained Global Media Cadre for Lasting Influence
Special Report
Cognitive Warfare
Russia & Ukraine
The Kremlin’s Expanding Media Conglomerate 2026
Special Report
Kremlin
Russia in Africa
Russia in the Middle East
Ukraine
Russia & Ukraine
Seizing the Initiative against Russia: Putting the United States in Control
Long Form Report
Ukraine
Cognitive Warfare
A Primer on Russian Cognitive Warfare
Related media
Op Ed
Kremlin
Russia & Ukraine
Foreign Policy: Russia’s War Is Also Cognitive
Latest Research by
Nataliya Bugayova
Update
Russia & Ukraine
Ukraine
Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, August 30, 2026
Update
Russia & Ukraine
Ukraine
Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, August 29, 2026
Update
Russia & Ukraine
Ukraine
Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, August 28, 2026
Update
Middle East
Iran & Proxies
Iran Update, August 28, 2026
Latest Research by
Nataliya Bugayova
Multimedia, Video Briefings
Contemporary & Future WarMiddle East
Iran & Proxies
Hezbollah’s FPV Drones Pose an Acute Challenge to Israel
Update
Russia & Ukraine
Ukraine
Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, August 30, 2026
Update
Russia & Ukraine
Ukraine
Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, August 29, 2026
Update
Russia & Ukraine
Ukraine
Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, August 28, 2026
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Quote
China & Taiwan
PRCTaiwan
CNN: Chinese government ships spotted in record numbers off Taiwan in July
Cited Map
Russia & Ukraine
Ukraine
Wall Street Journal: The Russia-Ukraine Air War Has Entered a New, Deadlier Phase
Quote
Russia & Ukraine
Ukraine
Washington Times: Could Ukraine hold a wartime election? Zelenskyy says no
Cited Map
Middle East
Iran & Proxies