Independence is a luxury and a responsibility at the same time. It is the ability to make your own decisions based on your own needs and desires — but decisions for which you alone bear responsibility, not someone else.
Independence is the freedom to choose the unit in which you will serve, the civic stance you will take or the volunteer centre you will help. It is also the freedom to choose the service member you will support if you do not join the army.
The true value of possessing something is best realised only when the possibility of losing it becomes a reality. On 24 February 2022, the probability of losing the right to decide our own fate became so high that almost no one believed in us. Let’s be honest — we didn’t really believe we would overcome the threat and preserve our sovereign state. But at the same time, as we doubted our own abilities, we were afraid of losing our independence. This sweet right to choose. As it turned out, it is so important, so dear and indispensable for everyone who cares about our shared future. It was the threat of losing independence that created the conditions for its preservation. This applied to everyone — military, volunteers, and civilians alike. Perhaps that is why we have survived. At the expense of those who risked not only all their own needs but also the most valuable thing — their lives for the sake of freedom.
At the beginning of the full-scale invasion, there was an immense display of heroism. People were taking radical and risky actions to save each other’s lives, blowing up bridges, telling the enemy to their faces that they would not surrender — and they did not. These were turbulent times when delegation of decision-making worked more realistically than ever. The contact line was changing rapidly, communication was almost non-existent, and you did not always know who your neighbours were on the flanks. Now, the situation is different — there is planning, clear flanks, communication, electronic warfare, and constant control. It should have become easier. Heroism should have been replaced by prudence in actions, which is ensured by quality training, competence of commanders and a clear action plan, where unknowns are minimal. But is this the case?
We are at war and live in a constant shortage — sometimes a critical one — of resources — human and material. But is everything possible being done within our capabilities to achieve the goal? Does everyone have the same understanding of the common “goal” and the amount of effort required? The answer to both is no. Yet, we must continue to resist, as the chances of preserving our independence will only decrease. This is why there is an urgent need to unite people around leaders who are ready to formulate a clear and achievable goal and lead the way to achieve it.
The next logical question would be — who are these leaders? Unfortunately, over the past years, we have irrevocably lost many people who took on the role of leaders. That means that now, we must be the leaders and the grown-ups-the ones who, more than anyone, understand the cost of defeat, measured in daily obituaries and shifting front lines on the DeepState map. We are losing in terms of numbers on the battlefield, but we are winning in terms of quality and motivation. The enemy outnumbers us in aviation, but we are trying to find innovative solutions to counter them. It is difficult for us. Sometimes, we feel like giving up. But then there is someone who lifts them up and motivates them. It is important to understand that the further we go, the harder it will become, and at some point, motivation may disappear. The combination of a shortage of both people and motivation will doom us to defeat, inevitably leading to the loss of independence. We know what will happen next all too well from the pages of our own history.
But what should be done to prevent this from happening? Where can we find people and motivation for fighting an enemy that outnumbers us, especially when, far from the front lines, the war is no longer seen as an urgent issue, and the nighttime Shahed drone attacks are being fairly well intercepted by air defence?
First, society needs to hear the truth. Both about our losses and about the enemy’s damage to critical infrastructure. A warm bath of positive news, such as “the missile has ceased to exist within the area”, creates a dangerous illusion as if the deadly missile simply vanished into thin air rather than hitting a power substation near your home or your family’s home.
Secondly, the struggle for political dividends and ratings hinders the implementation of an effective mobilisation policy. Lies about personnel availability, combined with the transfer of soldiers from one unit to another, do not solve the problem of shortages. The laws of mathematics have not been repealed — if people appear in one place, there are fewer of them in another. We need mobilisation. It is critical. For all branches of the military.
Thirdly, motivation. It is not only about an individual’s inner desire to do something: to serve, to work, to take action. It is about understanding your professional path, knowing how much you can trust your commander, and how confident you are that your family will not be abandoned in case of your death or injury.
These are very simple concepts that are extremely difficult to implement. But we are the adults in the room now, and it is up to us to make it happen. Not necessarily in pixels, but always aware of the cost of failure.
