Espreso. Global
OPINION

What is essence of disappointment – complaining to military that they did not deliver what they promised?

23 August, 2023 Wednesday
22:21

I am not disappointed at all by Ukrainians who are disappointed with the counter-offensive

client/title.list_title

On the contrary, they surprise me immensely, because how could one be enchanted and expect something exalted in these circumstances? On what basis? As if our army hadn't been fighting back for almost a year and a half, without a break or a day off. As if we weren't the ones who sat in two jackets without electricity all winter, wondering whether and for how long. As if we hadn't helplessly watched rescuers pulling people alive and dead from the rubble of their homes, sending empty curses into space.

It was as if these were not living people forced to walk on mines and under bullets, but some soulless cyborgs that could be produced at the factory.

“And after all, what difference does it make if someone is disappointed or not? What does it matter? Oh my God, they were offended, like children at St. Nicholas, that Budanov promised them Crimea for the summer, and the government - brilliant successes. And what are you going to do now, stop writing letters to St. Nicholas? Will you stop sending 500 hryvnias to the army? So who will be worse off? Only the army? Or the army and you?”

I understand the disappointed politicians abroad. They directly support Ukraine politically, with money and weapons, and they have to somehow plan their activities and future. Because it is strange to hope that this will go on forever. That we will be given weapons for years as well as funds for civilian life, salaries for teachers and doctors. So that we can beat ourselves endlessly against the rock of Russia, without being distracted by the minutiae of the economy.

After all, this long and carefully planned counter-offensive was partly provoked by them, because they need to know exactly what will happen next. They have options, unlike us.

“And on top of that, there is a lot of pressure on the government and the army from civilians. It's a lot of pressure. And the government is already used to reacting as if it were a pointer to public Internet demands, rushing to fulfill them immediately in a populist manner to please its dear voters and earn approval and hearts. Why further push the government and drive the army into enemy landmines? To do what?”

After all, a year and a half of war has already shown that defending is immeasurably easier than attacking. And that for Ukraine, personally, a long defense is better than a long offensive. To hold the line while Russia is being drained by sanctions, human losses and exorbitant war costs. Since we already know that we have been at war since 2014, Ukraine has been defending itself quite well for eight years. The only problem is that we have even fewer resources for long-term defense than Russia has for offense. And while the fat man is losing weight, the thin man will die. That's why we have to do what we are given money to do and hope for results.

Yes, we want the shelling and destruction to stop and the occupied lands to become Ukrainian again. But how can we do this? What is the essence of the disappointment - the claim that the military did not deliver what they promised? Is it really? Maybe we should all first reach the limits of common sense and realistic expectations of life?

We are in an immensely complex multi-component situation, where each part is a separate challenge and a separate difficulty. And in all of this, there is room for many emotions and feelings, but definitely not for disappointment.

Source

About the author: Volodymyr Hevko, marketer, blogger

The editorial team does not always share the opinions expressed by blog authors

Tags:
Read also:
  • News
2024, Friday
8 November
17:35
Russian drone strikes building in Kyiv where Estonian Ambassador lives
17:15
Xi Jinping warns Trump U.S. would "lose from confrontation" with China
16:56
Pro-Russian hackers ramp up cyberattacks after DPRK deploys troops to Russia, says Seoul
16:32
Russian Kh-69 cluster warhead missiles: new threat to Ukraine’s infrastructure
16:13
Elderly man killed, homes damaged in Russia’s latest attack on Ukraine’s Kherson
15:57
IKEA store operator Ingka Group sells last Russian asset
15:38
Russia bombs Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city: civilian victims reported
15:17
Ukrainian police arrest international drug syndicate leaders, seize $20M in drugs
14:58
Review
Trump era: Kyiv Security Forum international overview
14:35
CO2 emissions in Ukraine rise by 180 million tons due to full-scale war
14:16
Exclusive
Putin's main goal is lifting sanctions — political expert
13:59
Exclusive
Russia starts using Shahed drones with thermobaric warheads — military expert Zgurets
13:39
Drones strike oil refinery in Russia’s Saratov, Ukraine allegedly behind attack
13:17
Ukraine to invite Russia to follow-up Peace Summit, but with conditions
12:58
OPINION
Zelenskyy's call with U.S. presidential election winner: dialogue with Trump is necessary
12:46
Russian forces intensify Kursk region assaults with strikes from within borders
12:28
147 clashes occur on Russian-Ukrainian front on Nov. 7 - General Staff
11:59
Review
Russia shifts drone warfare tactics, FPV drones become main tool in warfare. Serhiy Zgurets’ column
11:34
Exclusive
Russia is now trying to use its soldiers “sparingly” — Ukraine’s Rubizh brigade
11:03
Updated
Russia’s massive attack on Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia: death toll rises to 9, city mourns victims
10:56
Russian attack on Ukraine kills civilian in Odesa, injures multiple others
10:26
Exclusive
What will happen to Russia without China’s support: diplomat explains
09:59
All available Ukraine support funds to be utilized before Biden's term ends — Pentagon
09:36
Russia loses 1,580 soldiers, 9 tanks and 32 artillery systems in day of war in Ukraine
2024, Thursday
7 November
21:10
Exclusive
Caspian Sea drone strike: Ukraine targets Russian warships which launched missiles
20:56
Leaders of 40 countries urge Trump to keep support for Ukraine at European Political Community meeting
20:38
Germany's support for Ukraine in 2025 is secure despite coalition breakdown
20:20
Ukraine ramps up brigade formation to counter Russia’s rising troop numbers
20:03
OPINION
On dilemma: either “we are about to lose” or “we need to negotiate something”
19:46
Ukraine won't receive promised MiG-29: Polish Defense Minister explains why
19:25
Exclusive
Ukraine will not get NATO membership under Trump's presidency - Yatsenyuk
19:06
Google maps remove Ukrainian military facilities
18:50
Ukraine reports 102 combat clashes along frontline on November 7, mostly in Kurakhove sector
18:29
Ukraine still has plans to hit Crimea bridge - Navy spokesman
18:10
Exclusive
Ukraine has to consider any ultimatums seriously - PhD in Political Science
17:51
OPINION
'Biden, give us air defense!' is over
17:33
We need weapons, hugs with Putin won't help - Zelenskyy at European Political Community Summit
17:15
Russia sends military tech to North Korea, raising alarms for Europe, U.S. - NATO chief
16:53
OPINION
Zelenskyy heads to Orban: why?
16:17
Ukraine policy at stake: Trump’s advisors push competing agendas
More news