Ukraine's Struggle for Sovereignity: The Battle Beyond the Frontlines

Beyond missiles and tanks lies another battle: the fight for truth, democracy, and independence.

When we think of war, we imagine tanks, trenches and missiles. But Ukraine’s struggle for sovereignty goes far beyond the battlefield. It is a fight for democracy, for identity, and for the right to decide its own future.

Before we examine diplomacy, propaganda, and culture it is important to understand that it all begins on the ground - on the military frontline.

The Military Frontline 

The conflict began on 24 February 2022, when Russia launched a full-scale attack on Ukraine, aiming to occupy key regions and halt Ukrainian resistance. The main fronts include Eastern Ukraine (Donbas) where some of the heaviest fighting has taken place. Southern Ukraine, where the Russian army attempted to control the Black Sea and key ports and one of the main spots, the capital  Kyiv, which they tried to take over in the first weeks.

The Ukrainian resistance showed remarkable resilience. An immediate mobilization of the army and volunteers took place. Subsequently, civilian participation by medical teams, engineers and others played a key role in the logistics of dealing with the attack. Beyond the human cost, the war triggered a massive humanitarian crisis, which has led to over 6 million Ukrainians being forced to leave their homes.This has also resulted in millions of dollars in damage to the country’s infrastructure.

The Political Struggle

Since the conflict has started, Ukraine seeks closer ties with the EU and NATO. They’re making intensified diplomatic efforts to trigger the European Union candidacy process in order to receive guaranteed and long-term international support.  It is extremely important for them to strike a balance between dependence on aid and establishing real independence. But it will take a really long time to step on their feet again after all that is happening and to not be dependent on anyone. Right now it is of utmost importance that Europe stands by them and shows on every front that it supports them and does not tolerate tyranny.

The Information War

Now let's look at how war extends not only to the battlefield, but also online. Hybrid wars in Ukraine did not begin in 2022, but almost a decade ago. The problem right now is that they are extremely more developed and one of the main weapons that Russia has at its disposal, helping to weaken the Ukrainian army. Unfortunately, they don't just appear in the form of software hacking, they are also the great propaganda that pours into the internet space all over the world.

For example, we in Bulgaria are exceptional victims of Russian propaganda, which is one of the main reasons for brainwashing a society that is so susceptible to lies.

Citizens here often consider what they see on Facebook to be the complete truth, and their low critical thinking and ability to discern what is true and what is not prevents them from seeing how internet trolls try to manipulate them on a daily basis. And because of this, there are still people who believe that the war is Ukraine's fault, that Ukrainian citizens are simulating the devastating consequences, and much more of that kind.

The social and Cultural impact

Throughout the war, there has been an interesting phenomenon that has been observed. In particular, how Ukrainian culture, identity, and language have become part of their resistance. For instance, they and the world with them started using civic initiatives, music, and art to show the bully that there are stronger things than hatred, visible through the unity of the people and the strength of their spirit.

 A vivid example of how music unites and gives hope is Eurovision 2022, when Ukraine won 1st place with the song "Stefania". in the year when they need global support the most, Europe gave it to them. This shows that resistance is not only expressed through armed struggle, but also through art.

Europe’s role

IFor the past  three years the European Union and NATO demonstrated their support through arms donations, the implementation of sanctions against Russia, and serious humanitarian and financial assistance to Ukraine. But is Europe doing enough? In this situation there is always a way to contribute more to the victim in these hard times. We as a community, a European community, have to be united and help a country in need by accepting her into our union. Because Ukraine is an example for others, as all this time it has been defending European values ​​on homeland.

Ukraine is an example of how it looks to be fighting on several fronts simultaneously - military, political, informational, and cultural. 

The battle for Ukraine’s sovereignty is also the battle for the future of Europe.