Five reasons why Ukrainians will win, and Putin will lose

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Russia is a historical anachronism, an example of inefficient public administration, an outdated raw materials economy, low production motivation and astonishingly horrible «culture» of labour, unable to cope with territories, treasures and resources.
photo by alina fedorchenko on unsplash

photo by alina fedorchenko on unsplash

Analysis by Bohdan Tykholoz, translated by Vitalii Holich

The possible Russian invasion of Ukraine is predicted from day to day. Bohdan Tykholoz, a candidate of philology, literary critic, author of about 200 scientific papers and director of the House of Ivan Franko in Lviv, explains why Ukrainians will win and Putin will lose.

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The thoughts of war come even when they are not desired. Because I want to live and think about life: to love, to give birth, to create, to dream, to plan, to build. Instead of killing, dying, fleeing or being afraid.

It is said that the fear of death is worse than death itself. This is hardly true of war. War is always worse than expected. But there is something that inspires hope. Hope for victory. Our victory.

There are simple things that I am firmly convinced of. And they are the strong foundations of my hope. Here are five reasons why we, Ukrainians, will definitely win, and Putin with his clique will definitely lose. 

1. We defend our own, and Putin seeks to seize others. The invaders will definitely lose, always – sooner or later. 

2. We, Ukrainians, have no other land where we are at home. The world is wide, and we are here at home for a very, very, very long time. This is the land of our parents, grandparents and great-grandparents. And – no less important! – this is the land of our children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren... That’s why we will never leave here. 

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3. Our enemy, no matter how terrible and strong it may seem, is a Colossus on clay feet. Russia is a historical anachronism, an example of inefficient public administration, an outdated raw materials economy, low production motivation and astonishingly horrible «culture» of labour, unable to cope with the territories, treasures and resources (especially human) that it possesses. I wouldn’t even start with vodka-herring-accordion-matryoshka… This is a country-loser, and we see its civilizational backwardness and helplessness wherever it extends its ragged unwashed hands.

4. Putin is mortal. Ukrainians are immortal as long as they give birth to and raise new Ukrainians – in peace or in war, no matter how scary it may sound. 

5. We will win because we can’t lose. Because otherwise, our children will be orphans, women will be slaves, homes will be wastelands, and the land will be a desert. Therefore, our forests will better become hiding places, fields – battlefields, cities and villages – traps and labyrinths, every stone – a weapon, every action – resistance, and every word – a manifesto of dignity and freedom. Because we, Ukrainians, come from the land of dignity and freedom, and they – Putin and others like him – from the land of fear, submission and violence. 

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Finally, there are two tough but honest theses. 

1. The confrontation between Ukraine and Russia is not a temporary problem or a historical coincidence. This is not a «moment to wait». This is a civilizational conflict of two fundamentally different worldviews, value systems, national mentalities, political cultures. And it is unlikely that this conflict can be resolved through hesitation, swaying and compromise. It was tried for centuries – and nothing worked. Thank God, we are so different that simply incompatible. There will never be a questionable «brotherhood» of nations again.

2. War – no matter how scary it may sound – is also life. Method, form, period, phase of life. And life must be lived. That is to love, give birth, create, dream, plan, build. Instead of running away or being afraid. We just need to do what we love and know how to do, what we believe in and what we live for. Everyone loves and knows what he believes in and what he lives for.

My hope is on the stone of my faith. And my faith is hardened in the fire of my love. And I’m not alone. That is why we will win.

We will recall that the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi declared 16 February the Day of Unity. On Wednesday, the state flag was raised in houses of all settlements, the Ukrainian national anthem sounded at 10:00, and foreign diplomatic missions were holding «image events» to unite and support Ukraine.

by Bohdan Tykholoz, translated by Vitalii Holich

The author’s column is a reflection of the subjective position of the author. The editorial board of «Your City» does not always share the views expressed in the columns, and is ready to give dissenters the opportunity for a reasoned answer.

You can read a Ukrainian language version of this story here.

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Lviv Now is an English-language website for Lviv, Ukraine’s «tech-friendly cultural hub.» It is produced by Tvoe Misto («Your City») media-hub, which also hosts regular problem-solving public forums to benefit the city and its people.


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Щодня наша команда працює над тим, щоб інформувати Вас про найважливіше в місті та області. За роки своєї праці ми довели, що «Твоє місто» - це медіа, якому справді можна довіряти. Долучіться до Спільноти Прихильників «Твого міста» та збережіть незалежне медіа для громади. Кожен внесок має значення!