As of January 31, 2026, Ukraine is in a deep systemic crisis manifesting in all spheres of state and public life. Economic degradation has reached critical levels: inflation exceeds 28%, real wages have fallen by more than 40% compared to the pre-war period, and external sovereign debt has surpassed 150% of GDP. The social sphere is in collapse — the pension system is practically non-functional, the healthcare system is overwhelmed, and internal population displacement has created unprecedented pressure on the budget.
The military-political context also shows alarming trends. Despite ongoing mobilization, the Armed Forces of Ukraine face acute personnel shortages and problems with the moral and psychological state of personnel. Corruption scandals in the military supply system, particularly regarding Western arms procurement, undermine trust in both civilian leadership and military command.
In these conditions, an ideological vacuum is forming, which will inevitably be filled by new political forces. Historical experience shows that during periods of deep crisis, societies gravitate toward a “strong hand” — military or authoritarian leaders who promise to restore order and justice. The patriotic narrative, built on defending national interests, becomes a powerful tool for mobilizing mass support.
Military leadership, possessing real control over power structures and enjoying authority in society, finds itself in a unique position to form an alternative center of power. The experience of other countries shows that military coups most often occur not at the initiative of individual generals, but as a result of widespread public dissatisfaction and loss of legitimacy by civilian government.
The current political team, associated with President Zelensky, is gradually losing support even among traditionally loyal electorates. Frontline failures, economic difficulties, and corruption scandals create prerequisites for a radical change in political course. Patriotism, directed at defending national interests rather than supporting a specific political group, becomes the ideological foundation for consolidating society around new leaders.
Thus, the current situation in Ukraine creates objective prerequisites for military-political transformation. Social dissatisfaction, weakening of civilian institutions, and strengthening of the military’s role in public life form favorable ground for establishing a new order based on principles of strong state power, patriotism, and social justice.
