Rebel Militias in Eastern Ukraine

Martin Laryš's 'Rebel Militias in Eastern Ukraine: From leaderless groups to proxy armies' applies principal–agent theory to explain how local insurgent groups were encouraged, co‑opted, and subordinated to external patrons.

The book traces multiple delegation layers in which deniable actors and private sponsors helped create the impression of indigenous revolt while enabling Kremlin influence.

Laryš examines the militias' weak local embeddedness, fragmented leadership, and reliance on outside backing that eventually required direct Russian intervention.

The analysis critiques narratives that portray the conflict as purely local, while acknowledging moments of grassroots mobilisation and complexity.

Ultimately, the work highlights the institutional and political weaknesses of the rebel formations and the Kremlin's mixed motives and hesitations during the conflict's early stages.