The Role of Adaptability
Both Russian and Ukrainian societies developed strong resilience during the Soviet era. However, they use these critical skills very differently today. In Russia, adaptability is primarily used as a private strategy for self-protection. For example, Russian citizens use these skills to make the war invisible to themselves. They also navigate severe economic sanctions through informal business practices. Meanwhile, in Ukraine, adaptability manifests as an active force of grassroots innovation. Consequently, ordinary soldiers frequently experiment with advanced drone technology. Furthermore, civilians rapidly developed the local “Air Alert” app in just 72 hours.
Relationship with the State
Historically, both post-Soviet societies exhibited deep distrust toward their political institutions. Today, Russian citizens have adopted a strict stance of loyal alienation toward their government. They publicly support the regime in exchange for basic stability. However, they remain entirely depoliticized and highly distant from actual governance. Conversely, Ukrainian citizens practice a critical appropriation of their state. Recognizing the weakness of their institutions, ordinary Ukrainians stepped in to help. Therefore, they actively transformed their relationship with the government into a collaborative partnership.
Mutual Perceptions and the Colonial Prism
The old Soviet concept of a brotherhood of nations masked a deeply unequal relationship. Consequently, Ukrainians increasingly view the current conflict as a colonial war of decolonization. Russia actively struggles to define its national identity without its historical peripheries. Furthermore, the Russian state suppresses complex historical events like the Holodomor. While Ukraine has proudly solidified its existence on the global stage, the war brings new risks. Specifically, this rigid framing makes it difficult for Ukraine to reconcile with darker historical chapters. Ultimately, the massive abyss created by this ongoing conflict will take generations to heal.
Reference
Lebedev, A. C. (2026, 22 julio). Russia and Ukraine: Societies transformed by war. Brookings. https://www.brookings.edu/articles/russia-and-ukraine-societies-transformed-by-war/?utm_campaign=This%20Week%20in%20Foreign%20Policy&utm_medium=email&utm_content=429871098&utm_source=hs_email