The situation on the battlefield is becoming critical for Ukraine due to the lack of ammunition, and the forecasts of military analysts for the coming months do not bode well. However, Ukrainians do not accept defeat and, according to Ukrainian Lenka Víchová, they have no other choice. “The Russians completely lost face during the war. In the event of defeat, the Ukrainians would end up like the residents of Buchi,” he says in Spotlight.
According to Víchová, the defeat of Ukraine would mean for its inhabitants what Russia has been trying to achieve since the beginning of the 20th century. “Genocide, artificially induced famine, total liquidation of elites and the Ukrainian language would cease to be used,” the expert enumerates the threats that plagued Ukraine in the past and may occur again, according to Víchová.
However, she herself believes that nothing of the sort will happen and quotes the Ukrainian historian Jaroslav Hrycak, who stated that despite Russian pressure, the Ukrainians have already achieved incredible things. They exist, even though they shouldn’t exist a long time ago.
In the current situation, Ukrainians are trying to live normal lives, but according to Víchová, it would be difficult to find anyone on the territory of the attacked state who was not affected by the war in any way. “None of them are happy. Not even those on the front line, not even those in the rear. It gnaws at everyone and it hurts,” the expert describes the various experiences she has collected from people living in a country attacked by Russia.
In addition, according to her, the specific situation is in the occupied territories, where the Russians are trying to completely erase the Ukrainian identity. “They focus strongly on the youth. Ukrainian is, of course, forbidden and falsified history of Russia is taught,” says the expert.
According to Víchová, another “coercive” means of the Russian Federation is the acceptance of Russian citizenship required by the occupation authorities. “Your apartment will be transferred to someone else or you may not receive basic medical care,” the Ukrainian woman describes the “punishments” for refusing citizenship.
You can watch the entire interview in the video below or listen to it in your favorite podcast app. What were its main themes?
0:33-1:58 What is the atmosphere in Ukraine two years after the Russian invasion?
1:58-6:40 According to the Ukrainian Lenka Víchová, do Ukrainians accept the possibility that they could lose? How do they handle news that their army is out of ammunition?
6:40-10:20 How much hope or fear do Ukrainians have in the US presidential election? What does American aid mean for Ukraine and what would a possible Ukrainian loss mean?
10:20-15:04 Is there anyone in Ukraine who was not affected by the state of war at all, or did the war really affect all Ukrainians? What is life like in the territories now controlled by the Russians? What future awaits Ukrainians who live in the occupied territories? Do they believe that one day they will get their territory back?
15:04-20:28 What support does the Ukrainian leadership currently have? Can the West look at President Volodymyr Zelensky critically enough? According to Víchová, could it already be said that he has fulfilled his historical role? And what kind of people does President Zelenskyi surround himself with?
20:28-24:08 According to Víchová, who will come after Zelenský? Is a new political elite forming in Ukraine? And are there any politicians in Ukraine who would be willing to compromise and negotiate with Russia?
24:08-30:19 According to Vychova, what will be Ukraine’s biggest problem when the state of war ends or when the war ends? Has the influence of Ukrainian oligarchs changed in any way? In what? And do some oligarchs also have influence and access to Volodymyr Zelensky? According to Víchová, what future awaits Zelenský and what fate would she herself wish for him?
Spotlight Aktuálně.cz – Lenka Víchová | Video: Team Spotlight
Tags: Total liquidation expert dark scenario Ukraine history
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