March 23, 2026

Resistance in Total Defense: The Role of Citizens in LSCO

This article examines the critical role of citizens in national defense during large-scale combat operations (LSCO) through the lens of the Total Defense concept. Using Ukraine as a case study, it explores how open-source intelligence (OSINT) and technology, such as the Ukrainian government’s Diia app, have enabled citizens to act as sensors, providing real-time intelligence to military commanders. The article also discusses historical examples, such as the Battle of Britain and Lithuania’s citizen defense manual, to highlight the importance of preemptive planning and leveraging modern tools to enhance societal resilience. It concludes that governments must integrate citizen reporting systems with artificial intelligence to improve decision-making and protect civilians during conflicts.