Strengthening our army is not just a wartime challenge, but a long-term national priority
Three and a half years ago, Russia, who had been building up its military muscles for a long time, keeping all the world in suspense, launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Many across the world, especially in Moscow, were wrong in their predictions of further developments. Because Ukrainians took up arms. We surprised the world — with the consolidation of society, the resilience and courage of our soldiers on the battlefield.
We are going through terrible years. The fighting on the territory of Ukraine has been going on longer than during World War II. But we have a historic chance to safeguard our statehood and national identity.
The greatest hope is on the Defense Forces. Everyone should thus take care of strengthening our military. Everyone should be a warrior. It’s the people who will win the war! Someone is fighting on the battlefield, while others are holding the home front. No one will fight for us! No one will rebuild our cities for us!
RUSSIA IS OUR AGGRESSIVE NEIGHBOR. STRENGTHENING THE ARMED FORCES CAPABILITIES SHOULD BE NATIONAL PROJECT ONE
The threat lies in that many people forget profound words: unlearned or forgotten lessons of our history will remind of themselves with new defeats. It should be borne in mind that the Kremlin is awarding those who kill Ukrainians and destroy our cities!
We need a monolithic unity of the people, get more Ukrainians engaged in the defense of the State. This war cannot be only of those who have been fighting on the battlefield for a long time, or are selflessly engaged in volunteering, or produce weapons…
A nation is a society where everyone, I emphasize it, all people stand firmly, fiercely for their land.
We must call things by their proper names. A certain percentage of those liable for military service believe that defending the State should be the task to be done by someone else, not them.
The war is raging on. The Kremlin is hopeful that we will be short of soldiers, will get tired, exhausted, broken down… In order to survive, we must continue the struggle. The army needs not only donations, but also new soldiers.
We must remember not only our rights guaranteed by the Constitution of Ukraine, but also remember the duties of a citizen.
Not everyone can serve as stormtrooper or paratrooper. Today, there are hundreds of specialties in the army. There is a real opportunity for an individual to serve in a position that is the closest in specialty to the professional experience s/he gained in civilian life. There is as well a lot of necessary work to do in logistics units.
Importantly, media workers, public opinion leaders, actors, athletes, teachers, business managers – each in their own place, in their own team, in their own city – must reach out, expound, convince, set examples – we have to bolster our military!
Given that Russia is our aggressive neighbor, and if we are to survive as a nation, we must make our military as strong as possible! This should be National Project One for all time so that we could persevere — today and in the future.
It is worth remembering lessons of history about where and why we lost our statehood. Remember how the Kremlin was exterminating our people during Soviet rule in the past century, and how Russia is pursuing its imperialistic policy now. For the Kremlin, each new year of our Independence is a painful allergic exacerbation.
It is very dangerous for us to fall into the illusion that Russia will ever satisfy its imperialistic appetites. The Kremlin will employ all the tools available to it. Russia will intensify information warfare operations aimed at shattering the unity of our society, forging a split between civilians and the military, weakening our government, and instigating destabilization everywhere it can. The Kremlin is employing great masters of sowing discord and chaos.
WAR IS NOT AN OBSTACLE TO REFORMS, BUT, ALTERNATIVELY, IT PROVIDES A CHANCE FOR CHANGE
Our army has proven its might and capabilities. We must not slow down the momentum. It is vital for us to vigorously pursue reforms despite the war ongoing. To those who believe that war is not the best time for reforms, I will say, it may not be otherwise. Time is calling for active changes. The war reveals our weaknesses, forces us to respond to challenges, make quick decisions, and self-develop. We are pursuing transformation processes in the defense department across a broad front — in the management system, in the field of defense planning, military education, medicine, and the arrangement of all-side support for the military.
Among the priorities are, in particular, the development of innovative technologies and technological reinforcement of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Our target is to go through the path of reforms as fast as possible and achieve new capabilities that will enable us to respond more effectively to the challenges facing us.
CONCLUSION NOTE: THE FUTURE RESTS WITH OUR ABILITY TO DEFEND OURSELVES
We are proud of our soldiers — patriotic, courageous, gifted people who boldly took responsibility for the future fate of Ukraine, their city, and their family. We are proud of the young Ukrainians who, during the war, consciously opt for military education, choosing the profession of defender of Ukraine. We give honor to everyone who creates the history of the State of Ukraine.
Russia has still significant military power. Its weapons production lines never stop. There are more Russian soldiers fighting on the battlefield [than ours]. This is a fact. But our soldiers must be stronger. Motivated. Better trained. With modern weapons in their hands. Such a soldier holds a much better chance of prevailing on the battlefield.
Let me remind you that three and a half years ago, Russia had a much more powerful military machine, much more different weapons in its arsenals. And we have survived. We must thus continue our struggle. The strong are those who never give up. We must assess all threats with a cool head. Let us not panic, let us not give up. Let us not allow discord in society.
We did not want war, but we are forced to defend ourselves. One of the main lessons of our struggle for independence is that the state and the people have a future only when they are able to defend themselves. Therefore, strengthening our army is not just a task for wartime, but a long-term national priority.
Ivan Havrylyuk, Lieutenant General, First Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine
* The author’s opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of Ukrinform’s editorial board
Source: Forgotten lessons of history will remind of themselves with new defeats
