Zaluzhny warned of the danger of the mental Russification of Ukrainians
Former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valeriy Zaluzhny stated that the main threat to Ukrainian society during a protracted war may not be physical survival or constant shelling.
According to him, a far greater danger lies in the internal mental transformation of Ukrainians and the gradual loss of their own identity. He emphasized that this, ultimately, could pose a threat to the very existence of Ukrainian society.
He noted that Ukrainians have already adapted to difficult conditions and have learned not only to survive physically but also to build a future. However, a prolonged period of war creates profound mental challenges.
“As they say in a certain parable, when fighting a dragon, the main thing is not to become a dragon yourself. The longer you fight this dragon, the more you begin to resemble it. I’m afraid we might become like the Russians mentally. Hardships accustom a person to the point where nothing physically frightens them anymore. But what happens mentally to that person—that’s very complex and very dangerous for the future,” Zaluzhny emphasized.
He noted that daily hardships accustom people to not fearing physical threats, but the psychological consequences for society can be critical. In particular, the disconnect between the military’s combat experience and the changes in civilian society after their return poses a threat of internal catastrophe.
“That is why I fear only one thing: that Ukrainians remain Ukrainians and stay that way to the very end, no matter how difficult it may be. And under no circumstances should they become Russians or anything like them. That is what could ultimately destroy us completely,” added the former commander-in-chief.
According to Zaluzhny, the deliberate mental deformation of Ukrainians is part of Russia’s subversive strategy. Therefore, the main task for society remains the preservation of Ukrainian identity and values under any circumstances.
This was stated by Valeriy Zaluzhny, Ukraine’s ambassador to the United Kingdom and former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, in an interview with Channel 24.
Zaluzhny commented for the first time on the appointment of the new Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
As a reminder, Zelenskyy confirmed Umerov’s appointment as head of the Foreign Intelligence Service.
On August 3, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree appointing former Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko as Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine. Klymenko took the helm of the NSDC after serving as head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
