World analysts, who predicted that Ukraine would not survive even three days of a full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation, forgot that superpowers do not always win.
This is the opinion of the American writer, researcher and journalist Sebastian Junger.
According to him, analysts have failed, suggesting that Russia is more competent and has more opportunities than it really is.
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We all completely forgot that superpowers don't always win. I've done quite a bit of research on this subject and wrote in Freedom why underdogs, smaller and less powerful groups, often defeat a larger opponent, the writer says.
Sebastian Jünger notes:If the biggest countries and empires always won, there would be no chance of freedom in the world.
– The world would consist of several fascist mega-states, where the population would not have autonomy. But the world doesn't look like that. Therefore, it is obvious that analysts have forgotten that throughout the long history of mankind, smaller groups, fortunately, defeated the larger ones, – the writer notes.
The researcher adds that the English word freedom< /strong> comes from the ancient German word beloved. So people who fight for their freedom are really protecting their families, children, communities, things worth dying for.
“I'm not sure Russian soldiers have that feeling. I think some people are generally puzzled by what they do in Ukraine at all. And people who defend their home are fighting very, very effectively,” he notes.
Besides, says Sebastian Junger, Ukrainians had time prepare because the war in Donbas has been going on for eight years.
– Therefore, it is obvious that Ukrainian society has learned to think in terms of war and prepare for it. Of course, weapons are also important, like missile systems that work “from the shoulder” and can destroy a tank (Stinger, NLAW and Javelin – Ed.), – the writer notes.
Equally important is the role of women in the war strong> because they are what give moral legitimacy to any public cause.
“If autocratic despots shoot at a crowd of men, it looks like a riot. As soon as women appear among them, it no longer looks like a rebellion, but a moral movement,” the researcher explains.
According to Sebastian Junger, struggles are important:
- a noble cause (e.g. fighting for the freedom and safety of loved ones),
- leaders who do not hide behind other people are ready to take risks, hardship and death,
- the presence of women in a political or social movement.
– It is very important that there are women because they have more moral authority and act differently than men. They have horizontal networks, not hierarchical networks like men do, which is very important. I think the Ukrainian government and the media are making sure the international media knows that women are part of this movement,” says Sebastian Junger.
March 20 marked the start of the 25 Ukraine. You can follow the situation on the interactive map of hostilities in Ukraine.
For more information about the war in Ukraine – read the news online in the ICTV Facts material.
