Ukraine’s Struggle: President Zelensky’s Hometown and the Fight for Survival
In the heart of Ukraine lies a city that has played a significant role in shaping the country’s current leader, President Volodymyr Zelensky. Kryvyi Rih, known as “crooked horn,” holds a special place in Zelensky’s heart, as it is where he grew up in the Anthill, a sprawling block of flats. This gritty, industrial city has molded his character and influenced his journey from a humble background to becoming a wartime leader.
The people of Kryvyi Rih share a deep connection with Zelensky, seeing him as a normal, good-hearted individual who fights for the people. Vita, a resident near Zelensky’s parents, expresses her desire for the war to end soon, hoping for an end to the sirens and the suffering it brings. However, with minimal progress on the Ukrainian front and growing Russian dominance, there seems to be no end in sight. This situation fuels influential pockets of Western doubters who question Ukraine’s ability to overcome these challenges.
President Zelensky, during the recent Munich Security Conference, urged delegates not to ask when the war would end but rather why Putin is still able to continue it. Blocked military aid has directly hampered Ukraine’s forces on the front line, leaving them without the ammunition and weapons they desperately need. Zelensky’s plea for support has lost its electrifying impact, and a failed counter-offensive in 2023 has raised uncomfortable questions about Ukraine’s capability to liberate its territory.
The situation is further complicated by Republican doubters in the US who are hindering Ukraine’s ability to fight by blocking billions of dollars worth of military aid. As weapon shortages and dwindling ammunition take their toll, more frontline troops are losing their lives. Meanwhile, Russia remains on a war footing, with its allies North Korea and Iran supplying more missiles to rain down on Ukrainian cities.
Kryvyi Rih, like the rest of Ukraine, is not immune to war fatigue. Many people have had enough of this conflict, and men fear being conscripted. However, they still view the war as a fight for survival, and the idea of compromise or concession to Russia is seen as a defeat. The war has become existential for Ukrainians, with playgrounds now associated with death and innocence replaced by body bags and destruction.
Yuriy, a resident of Kryvyi Rih, tearfully watches his flat get demolished after a missile strike last year. He questions the purpose of the war and the countless lives lost. Despite the devastating impact, he firmly believes that Ukraine should not swap territory for peace, as too many people have died defending those lands.
The lack of progress on the battlefield has caused a rift between President Zelensky and the former head of his armed forces, Valerii Zaluzhnyi. Zaluzhnyi, now sacked, is seen as a potential political rival to Zelensky. Amidst these challenges, Ukrainians in Kryvyi Rih are doing their best to support their country where its allies increasingly will not. Volunteers in inconspicuous buildings stitch camouflage nettings for troops on the front line, while others produce smoke grenades to aid in attacks or evacuations.
Russia’s aggression towards Ukraine began in 2014 with the annexation of Crimea and has since escalated into a draining war in the country’s east. On the 731st day of the full-scale invasion, Ukraine finds itself in a different kind of war. While Ukraine has achieved some successes in defense and degrading Russia’s navy, it has not been enough to turn the tide in its favor. The novelty of this war has worn off, and Ukraine, Kryvyi Rih, and its famous son, President Zelensky, must find new reserves of strength and a clever playbook to keep the world engaged.
In the face of adversity, Ukraine continues to fight for its survival. The people of Kryvyi Rih, like many Ukrainians, refuse to back down or compromise with Russia. They believe that the sacrifices made by their fellow countrymen should not be in vain. As the war rages on, Ukraine’s struggle for freedom and peace remains a defining chapter in its history.