Nichita Gurcov is the Europe & Central Asia Senior Analyst at ACLED. He has been with the organization since January 2023. Nichita holds an MA in International Politics from the University of Manchester and a BA in Journalism from Moldova State University. He previously worked on conflicts in Moldova and Ukraine.
Spoken languages: English, Romanian and Russian Timezone: Central European Time - CET
As part of ACLED's coverage of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and its repercussions for Europe writ large, this series on the shadow war between Russia and Ukraine explores the overlooked dimensions of the war such as sabotage and targeted violence against individuals involved in either side’s war effort.
The second in a series on the shadow war between Russia and Ukraine, this report looks at how Ukraine is using assassinations in retaliation for Russia’s all-out invasion — a tactic that Russia is attempting to replicate.
Since the start of Russia’s all-out invasion of Ukraine in late February 2022, ACLED records at least 50 instances of airspace violations of countries on Ukraine’s western borders, mostly crashes of Russian and Ukrainian stray drones and missiles.
In August, strikes on energy infrastructure in Ukraine and Russia intensified, and the Novi Sad demonstrations escalated in Serbia as they entered their 10th month.
In July, escalated Ukrainian drone attacks disrupted aerial and rail traffic in Russia, the civilian toll in Ukraine rose sharply as the battles increased to record levels, and anti-migration demonstrations gained momentum in several European countries.
In June, coordinated demonstrations challenged mass tourism in Europe, the government crackdown in Georgia intensified, and clashes and arrests took place amid demands for snap elections in Serbia.
The first in a series on the shadow war between Russia and Ukraine, this report examines suspected Russian activities across Europe, including covert operations and suspected sabotage since 2022.
In April 2025, drug traffickers in France attacked prisons, gunfire intensified along the Armenia-Azerbaijan borders, and Russia advanced slowly in Ukraine amid increased targeting of civilians.
