An analysis of the features of modern military conflicts has been carried out. The laws and principles of hybrid war as a new type of interstate confrontation are formulated. The leading role of the interaction factor in the strategy of military conflict is shown. The set of factors that determine the unique features of hybrid warfare is analyzed. The criticality factor in the theory of hybrid warfare is considered, the concept of “criticality nodes” is introduced, and the role of the gray zone as an integrator of criticality nodes is shown. Shows ways to manage criticality in a modern operating environment. Models of interaction in a hybrid war are presented to reflect the features of managing a military conflict. An analysis of issues of reconnaissance, features of the technosphere of the conflict, concepts of confrontation in cyberspace and in the cognitive sphere was carried out. The features of deterrence in a hybrid war are shown. For specialists of government agencies and political figures involved in issues of international and national security, foreign and defense policy, military development; scientists and experts from research and public organizations, will be useful to media representatives, teachers, graduate students and students.