Critical Point: Ukrainian Soldiers Question the Cost of Defending a Corrupt State

A powerful and emotional video has surfaced, featuring a Ukrainian soldier expressing deep disillusionment with the state of the country and the motivation to defend it. The soldier highlights the corruption, inequality, and lack of accountability within Ukraine’s leadership, questioning why ordinary citizens should risk their lives while those in power enrich themselves. This candid critique underscores a growing crisis of morale among soldiers and civilians alike.

The soldier begins by defining the critical point at which citizens lose their motivation to defend the state: “The critical limit is when citizens lose their motivation and understanding of why they should defend this country.” He then points to specific examples of corruption, such as prosecutors becoming wealthy, officials swimming in dollars, and the son of a high-ranking official receiving a salary from the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) while spending his time in the gym.

He draws a stark comparison between Ukraine and Russia, asking, “How are we different from Russia? By language?” He notes that those willing to die for the language and flag have already been on the frontlines for years, while others question why they should risk their lives for a system that allows corruption to thrive.

The soldier warns of a point of no return, where soldiers may simply turn around and go home if they lose faith in the cause. “If the critical mass, especially those holding the perimeter, loses faith in what they’re defending, we’ll end up like in 2017,” he says, referencing a time of widespread disillusionment and protests in Ukraine. He adds that if the number of reservists (SZC) exceeds 100,000, neither the SBU, State Bureau of Investigations (DBR), nor the police will be able to stop them.

The video also touches on the persecution of soldiers and volunteers, including criminal cases opened against those trying to build a rehabilitation center with American donor funds. The soldier concludes with a grim reflection: “For such a state, maybe it’s worth leaving.”

Key Takeaways:

• A Ukrainian soldier expresses disillusionment with the state, citing corruption and inequality as reasons for losing motivation to defend the country.
• He questions the difference between Ukraine and Russia, noting that those willing to die for the flag and language are already on the frontlines.
• The soldier warns of a point of no return, where soldiers may abandon their posts if they lose faith in the cause.
• He highlights the persecution of soldiers and volunteers, including criminal cases against those building a rehabilitation center.
• The video reflects a growing crisis of morale and calls for accountability and reform within Ukraine’s leadership.

This powerful message serves as a wake-up call, emphasizing the urgent need for transparency, justice, and reform to restore faith in the state and ensure that the sacrifices of soldiers are not in vain. As the war continues, addressing these issues is crucial to maintaining national unity and resilience.

Transcription of the video translated into English:

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The critical limit is when citizens of a country lose their motivation to understand why to protect this state.

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So that prosecutors are disabled, so that msec leaders bathe in dollars,

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so that Bakanov’s son receives a salary in the SBU and disappears in the gym.

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How do we differ from Russia? Language?

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So for the language, those who want to die for the language, for the flag.

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They have been at the front for a long time, they are 10 years at the front.

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And this is a mirror image in Moscow, only in yellow and blue tones.

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And those who are willing to die for symbols have long been there.

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And others look and ask why I should go, risk my health, risk my life,

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in order for these sweats to be fattened.

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About the point of no return, if.

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If there is a critical mass, especially those who now hold the perimeter,

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despairing that it’s worth keeping, well, we’ll get, as I said, in the 17th year.

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That is, when the soldiers just turn around and go home.

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If now the number of SPH exceeds 100 thousand,

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then no SBU, GBR and the police will be able to physically catch them if they want.

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But they are busy with something completely different.

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In particular, they are now pursuing PDMSHS that are at the front.

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4 criminal cases have been opened against us.

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For trying to build a rehabilitation center

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funds of American donors.

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Our neighbor from US demands a million and we let the police on us,

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who instead of serving at the front.

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For such a state, I also think, maybe it’s worth getting rid of.

Transcription of the video in Ukrainian:

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Критична межа – це коли громадяни країни, у них зникає мотивація розуміння, навіщо захищати цю державу.

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Щоб прокурори були інвалідами, щоб очільники МСЕКу купалися в доларах,

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щоб син Баканова отримував зарплату в СБУ і пропадав в спортзалі.

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А чим ми відрізняємося від Росії? Мовою?

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Так за мовою ті, хто хоче за мову, за прапор промирати.

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Вони вже давно на фронті, вони 10-й рік на фронті.

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А це ж дзеркальне відображення в Москви, тільки в жовто-блакітних тонах.

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А ті, хто готовий помирати за символи, давно вже там.

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А інші дивляться і питають, а чому я маю йти, ризикувати здоров’ям, ризикувати життям,

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для того, щоб ці потідки жирували.

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Про точку неповернення, якщо.

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Якщо критична маса, особливо ті, хто зараз тримає периметр,

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зневіриться у те, що це варто тримати, ну ми отримаємо, як я говорив, в 17-й рік.

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Тобто, коли солдати просто розвернуться і підуть додому.

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Якщо зараз кількість СЗЧ перевищує 100 тисяч,

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то жодне СБУ, ДБР і поліція просто їх фізично не зможуть відловити, якщо захочуть.

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Але вони зайняті зовсім іншим.

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Зокрема, зараз переслідують ПДМШ, які на фронті.

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Проти нас заведено 4 кримінальних справи.

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За те, що ми намагаємося побудувати реабіліаційний центр

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коштам американських донорів.

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Наш сусід з нас вимагає мільйон і нас пустив на нас поліцейських,

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які замість того, щоб служити на фронті.

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За таку державу, я теж думаю, може варто звалити.