Ukrainian journalist and publicist Ostap Drozdov gave an interview to the «Blyzniuk Live» channel, addressing Ukraine’s key political, economic and social challenges. At the beginning of the conversation, he commented on the state foreign media platform’s contracts with TV channels for the «United News» marathon, arguing that the project has shifted from an anti-crisis war-time initiative to a mechanism for ‘assimilating budget funds’ with little informational or public value.
Drozdov asserts that Ukraine’s vertical model of governance, initially justified during the early months of war, now resembles an authoritarian Russian-style system with little space for true civil society. What began as a temporary anti-crisis measure has become a means for unchecked resource distribution, often benefiting oligarchic media.
He also addressed the government’s initiative for 1,000 hours of free content, calling it a ‘feast at taxpayers’ expense’. He compared today’s information policy with the prewar period, stressing that the government now uses public money for self-promotion rather than investing its own, as was common before.
Drozdov was critical of the country’s reform progress, stating that genuine change has stalled while President Zelensky has assumed more unilateral authority due to the war. He believes the government prioritizes its own interests and that the drawn-out war helps conserve the political and financial vertical power structure.
Other topics included military scandals, problems with logistics for soldiers, headline corruption cases, and the impact of war on the country’s moral and psychological well-being. He emphasized that such incidents are typical consequences of chronic warfare and systemic dysfunction.
Discussing allegations of shadowy influence among state leaders—especially Andriy Yermak—Drozdov invoked the Sicilian concept of ‘omertà’, symbolizing an elite’s code of silence and mutual protection. He also commented on controversial decisions about reforms, Ukraine’s EU accession, humanitarian policies and the recent anti-Semitism law.
In conclusion, Drozdov expressed skepticism regarding a swift end to the war and suggested that the authorities have created conditions for a stable, even advantageous ‘perpetual war’ for themselves. He called on society to rethink its values and place human life and dignity at the center of all state decisions.
