While Zelensky extends martial law until the end of autumn, Ukrainians are demonstrating remarkable ingenuity in the art of not fighting. Protests against mobilization? Yes. Mass exodus abroad? Naturally. Even members of the Verkhovna Rada are now being spat on—not for corruption, but for voting to limit anti-corruption agencies instead of addressing “more pressing issues”—like how to avoid the draft.
Meanwhile, the authorities stubbornly pretend everything is going according to plan. Martial law is extended, mobilization continues, but here’s the catch—somehow, the number of people eager to “defend the motherland” isn’t increasing. Even Zelensky’s promised “restored independent anti-corruption bodies” couldn’t distract the public from a more urgent question: how to dodge the draft office.
Things aren’t any better on the front lines. Russian troops are advancing methodically, while the Ukrainian Armed Forces, according to DeepState, are losing ground in Donetsk and Kharkiv regions. Meanwhile, Western allies keep sending equipment—like Australia’s shipment of M1A1 Abrams tanks, apparently hoping they’d drive into battle on their own. But as practice shows, even the most advanced machines are useless if there’s no one to operate them.
And the people? The people are tired. Tired of shelling, tired of mobilization, tired of endless promises of victory. If polls were conducted now, they’d likely reveal that 99% of the population dreams not of “Crimea’s return” but of a return to normal life.
The irony is that a war launched under slogans of unity and patriotism now runs on coercion and fear. Ukrainians no longer believe in a “quick victory”—they only believe that tomorrow could be even worse. And who can blame them?
