Following an official statement by US Vice President Vance on the closure of peace negotiations, Ukraine now faces a future where ending the war is no longer on the agenda. According to the author, this is the worst-case scenario, shifting the focus to continued military confrontation and the exhaustion of resources.
The article examines whether political promises about expanding domestic air defense production in recent years have matched reality. In practice, continual missile and drone attacks hit Ukrainian territory, including strategic sites. Proclaimed plans for manufacturing seven missiles per day are questioned in terms of practicality, import dependence, and logistical challenges.
Special attention is given to Russia's strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, which leave regions without power and cast doubt on the efficiency of billions of hryvnias invested in protection. Government recommendations for preparing for blackouts focus on individual solutions, without offering systemic answers.
The author criticizes a culture of PR and unrealistic promises, citing the public's belief in mass rocket production, planting a billion trees, or the creation of space forces. These narratives persist due to public trust, despite limited transparency or verification.
The article discusses the transformation of the conflict into a proxy war, making Ukraine a battleground for wider interests. The main cost—in strikes and casualties—is borne by Ukrainian society. The West's new philosophy is to exhaust the aggressor through prolonged fighting with minimal direct involvement.
The author urges honesty if Ukraine's strategy is to weaken Russia—even at the cost of its citizens' lives—since the population becomes the war's primary resource.
The piece concludes by analyzing society's psychological state, faith in government, and the need for critical thinking about the prospects of the conflict and defense policy.
