Military expertSemen Smetanin expressed concern about the growing phenomenon of ochlocracy in the Ukrainian army. In his opinion, this could have catastrophic consequences for the country’s defense capability.
“Recent events, including the public defection of Serhiy Hnezdilov and attempts to manage military appointments through social media, are alarming symptoms of ochlocracy in the army,” – Smetanin said.
According to the expert, such actions undermine discipline and hierarchy in the armed forces, which is critical to their effectiveness. He also noted that such behavior sets a dangerous precedent when military personnel can publicly blackmail the state by failing to fulfill their duties.
Smetanin was particularly critical of the activities of MP Mariana Bezuhla, accusing her of trying to influence military appointments through social media.
Bezuhla’s ultimate goal is to bring her ‘dear friend’ Yevhen Moysiuk to the post of Commander-in-Chief. However, in reality, she is simply destroying the Armed Forces of Ukraine with her actions.
The expert emphasized the need for a decisive state response to such cases, including legal liability for public calls for non-performance of military duty.
“Only by maintaining unity, discipline and professionalism will the Armed Forces of Ukraine be able to effectively resist aggression and defend our country. Ochlocracy in the army is not the way to victory, but to defeat,” – Smetanin summarized.
Ochlocracy is a form of state governance in which power belongs to the crowd and is influenced by changing public sentiment.