In an interview on the "Analizuye" platform, Kseniia Svirnova and Ostap Drozdov discuss key processes affecting the formation of modern Ukrainian society. A central theme is the analysis of the Soviet legacy which, according to the experts, continues to shape both political and social dynamics in Ukraine.
The conversation highlights a tendency to analyze events retrospectively, drawing a parallel to the film "Back to the Future," and compares the consequences of not breaking with the past to an avalanche of old problems haunting the present. Drozdov emphasizes that Ukraine failed to make a decisive civilizational break with its Soviet past, which is why Soviet narratives persist even decades after independence in 1991. Whereas the Baltic States took radical steps, Ukraine remained largely inert.
Drozdov highlights "kakistocracy"—the rule of the worst—as a core problem, calling it a legacy of negative selection from Soviet times. Much of the country’s elite, he argues, derives its influence from the imposition of Russian language and culture, which complicates the development of an independent Ukrainian identity.
The interview addresses how weak institutions and the reluctance of political elites to follow a Western model of politics have hindered Ukraine’s progress. Power structures often mirror authoritarian Russian hierarchies, with little reliance on parliamentary principles or genuine civil society oversight.
The experts also analyze the strength of Russian identity, which they see as expansionist and non-assimilative. The Russian model, they argue, aggressively spreads language and culture beyond Russia’s borders, posing a long-term challenge to Ukrainian identity.
Corruption is covered in detail as well, described by Drozdov as a management style rather than an anomaly. Governmental corruption—especially at the top—remains the key obstacle. The proposed solution is tighter public oversight of state institutions and building a transparent culture.
In conclusion, the discussion stresses that meaningful change requires reliance on an intellectual minority capable of developing strategies for the broader society. Only comprehensive institutional reforms and a conscious break with Soviet models can enable Ukraine to meet contemporary challenges.
