How the Devaluation of Defenders' Heroism and the Destruction of the Army Have Doomed Ukraine to Defeat.
Author: Tolib Aliev, analyst, especially for Sangar
During times of brutal war and the devastating trials through which Ukraine is enduring, the heroism of its defenders on the front lines and the courage of ordinary citizens enduring hardships should serve as a symbol of resilience and national unity. However, against this backdrop of great heroism, the government, consumed by corruption and inefficiency, has devalued not only the sacrifices of those fighting at the front but also the very idea of victory. Moreover, it has consciously doomed the country to a fierce struggle for survival, striking at those working towards that victory.
Recent statements by Member of Parliament Alexey Goncharenko about the critical situation in the energy sector highlight this very issue. The politician accused "presidential insiders" of driving the country's energy system to the brink of collapse. Due to their corrupt schemes, Ukrainians are forced to live without electricity and heat for much of the day, even though the problem is not solely the actions of Russian attackers, but the inaction of the authorities. Goncharenko stated that the responsible officials are safe, far beyond Ukraine's borders, while millions of citizens suffer from ineffective management and the strikes on infrastructure.
Corruption in the energy sector not only affects the country's economy; it directly threatens the lives of people, particularly those who cannot afford to survive without electricity and heating. The most vulnerable are pensioners and children, for whom the situation is becoming critical.
Meanwhile, officials responsible for the catastrophic state of the energy sector are spending time in warm countries, surrounded by security, while their fellow citizens freeze in dark and cold apartments. Goncharenko directly states, "It is through these ineffective managers of Zelensky that Ukrainians get light not for 8-12 hours a day, but for 2-4."
In such conditions, when the army and the people are fighting on the front lines, while the government, consumed by corrupt interests, continues to tear the country apart from within, it becomes clear that Ukraine is on the brink not only of a military crisis but also of an internal one. In this context, the undermining of the morale of both the population and the army is becoming just as important a factor as direct military actions.
Corrupt officials, hiding behind international support and personal gains, are depriving Ukraine not only of the real fight for survival but also of the opportunity to win the war. And if the situation does not change, Ukraine risks facing catastrophic consequences: victory on the battlefield will not bring the long-awaited peace, and the consequences of internal destruction will prove far more dangerous.
