The facts must be acknowledged: The “enemy” is here. Vladimir Putin has chosen war. Ukraine now finds itself in a face-off with the Russian bear, its claws sharp, its teeth borne wide. How much hope remains for Ukraine? How much panic is now knocking at our door?
Psychological warfare is key to Putin’s toolbox. Propaganda, intimidation and demoralization: all themes that slipped into Putin’s hour-long speech on Tuesday in which he recognized the independence of Donetsk and Luhansk.
But this is nothing new. Ever since 2008, during the NATO Summit in Bucharest, he has led a campaign making territorial claims to Ukraine. More recently, Putin has been firing out ultimatums and blanks from his own verbal pistol — all of which aim to frighten, depress, cause anxiety and panic.
Putin’s deadly rhetoric
“We are attacked not only by bombs, but also by duds,” President Volodymr Zelensky said in a new video address to Ukrainians on Thursday. This time, the so-called “duds” are alloys of phrases: “from all sides,” the “capturing” of various cities, “ownership of Ukraine,” all of which are rife in Putin’s rhetoric.
In Ukraine, we are braced for the worst in the coming days: bombings, blackouts, Internet-destruction, phone-lines going down, banks and pecuniary funds being halted in their tracks. Some of which have already begun as Russia, on Thursday evening, deployed a “data-wiper” virus on Ukraine, paralyzing websites by bombarding them with spurious information requests. The purpose of such scenarios: anxiety, fear. Composure must be kept, otherwise Putin shall gain the upper hand.
Among other things, expect looting and banditry, which always accompany warfare. The actions of special covert groups, sabotage and reconnaissance missions carried out by Russian troops, disguised as civilians. Keep your friends close, that’s for sure, but be careful, the “enemy” might well be closer…
Blitzkrieg effect
Rhetoric, though, has now been surpassed by violence, as Russia’s military operation is launched. Putin has begun a third-generation war — with frontal attacks, from various compass points. The Kremlin has opted for a blitzkrieg, a well-known military tactic to create shock and confusion. If the Ukrainian state wishes to survive, it must keep its head. The first blow hits hardest, but panic is slow-acting poison.
To build the empire that he has been dreaming of for years, Putin needs a population. Civilians are therefore not his primary targets, except in cases of accidental and erroneous actions of Russian troops. Some attacks on civilians may be by sabotage and intelligence groups, Kremlin agents with that one same goal: to provoke panic.
Ukraine still has hope. But for how long, we cannot say
The main thing is that Putin’s decision to invade Ukraine can and must be thwarted: resilience, ability to defend oneself, and calm, panic-free action. NATO countries, which are closely monitoring the situation, appear hesitant, unsure whether to provide the powerful artillery systems and air defense equipment needed to defend Ukraine. Too little support, and Putin wins. Too much, and we’re thrown into a continental turmoil almost impossible to resolve.
Room for diplomacy
President Zelensky has already announced the end of diplomatic relations with Russia, but indicates that Ukraine is, nonetheless, ready to negotiate. Tough sanctions are coming in thick and fast, but Western powers must be careful: The war is against Putin and his inner circle, not Russia, as the thousands of anti-war protesters in the streets of Moscow today made clear.
So where does Ukraine stand? The first attack of the Russian Federation showed that the “enemy,” although possessing equipment far greater than Ukraine’s, was not dealing with amateurs as it may have anticipated, but trained defense forces: a significant number of motivated people who are not prone to panic, nor hysteria.
History tells us that Putin tends to act step-by-step: He attacks, then studies the reaction of the world, then goes further and deeper. It is in those moments of pause that diplomacy must be pursued.
So as Day One comes to an end, Putin has made his move. Ukraine still has hope. But for how long, we cannot say.
