It has always been this way. Only the brave are respected. And only the strong are taken seriously.

Since 1991, Ukraine’s enemies have done everything to keep our state weak, fragmented, toothless, and dependent. But in 2013, Ukraine began to awaken, to build muscle, and finally came close to understanding the need to assert its own agency. It would have been naïve to think that the birth of this agency would be painless. And an even greater mistake to believe that someone else would pave that path for us.

For eleven years, we’ve fought a war in half-measures against a country that outnumbers and out-resources us. And for three years now, Ukraine has held off the full-scale invasion of one of the most capable armies in the world. The daily heroism of Ukrainian soldiers must inspire us, keep us from despair — no matter what foreign politicians, analysts, or experts may say. The final word belongs to the front.

Yes, we still fall short in many areas, and much work lies ahead. Yes, we believed empty promises and gave up our nuclear weapons, critically weakening our country’s defense. And yet, Ukraine has already done the impossible. Ukraine has already entered the history books — through its resistance to russian occupation, the courage and strength of its military, the power of horizontal civic networks, and the skill of our diplomacy. From all of this, real Ukrainian agency is now emerging. And it is precisely this that infuriates those who cannot tolerate a strong and independent Ukraine.

Everything happening in the information space today must not distract us from the path we have chosen. Just as Ukrainians must not pay any attention to those figures eagerly preparing for political games and phantom elections. All focus — on the front. All strength — for the front.

Hopelessness begins where people, under pressure, stop fighting for what is theirs.

That is not us.

Author: Denys Prokopenko, Commander of the Azov Battalion