In the third year of the full-scale war, Ukrainian society is facing a paradoxical situation: a phenomenon that should unite the nation against a common enemy is becoming a source of internal tension. Mobilization, which is critically necessary for the defense of the state, is at the same time creating fault lines that weaken the social fabric and undermine moral and psychological resilience.
New reality: from the spirit of 2022 to the fatigue of 2025
At the beginning of the invasion, Ukraine witnessed an unprecedented phenomenon: the voluntary mobilization of tens of thousands of people who came to military recruitment offices to defend their homeland. This spirit of unity created the impression that society had reached a consensus on defense.
But the reality of 2025 is very different. According to a study by the Democracy Action Fund, mobilization has become one of the most polarizing topics. Several key factors explain this change in attitudes:
The duration of the war. The protracted nature of the conflict has led to physical and psychological exhaustion of those at the front.
Unfair distribution of the burden. Some men have been at the front without rotation for more than a year, while others have never been mobilized or are deliberately evading.
Blurred understanding of the “justice of war”. Over time, the public consensus on how responsibility for the defense of the country should be distributed is weakening.
Justice as a basis for legitimacy
The Christian democratic perspective emphasizes a fundamental principle: the moral legitimacy of the state suffers if its policies are perceived as unfair or selective. This is particularly acute in matters related to life and death.
“A deep sense of social injustice is the main emotional root of the divisions,” the analytical materials emphasize. When some citizens see others finding ways to avoid mobilization through corruption, connections, or traveling abroad, it destroys the very essence of the social contract of common defense.
The current situation is complicated by the fact that there is no transparent and understandable system that would guarantee a fair distribution of military responsibilities. This creates a feeling that “some are fighting the war” while others are “evading or living like they are living until 2022.”
Psychological consequences of unfair mobilization
The problem takes on not only an ethical but also a practical dimension when it comes to the psychological state of society. According to research, the level of anxiety in Ukrainian society reaches 5.8 points out of 10.
Among the key factors of this anxiety:
- Fear for the fate of loved ones at the front
- Feeling helpless before the mobilization system
- Disbelief in the fairness of state institutions
- Disappointment with the impunity of corruption in the mobilization sector
“In times of war, emotional resilience is not a private matter for a psychologist, but a strategic factor of national security,” experts say.
It is important to understand that psychological fatigue from war is exacerbated by a sense of injustice. When a person sees that the duty to defend the country is unevenly distributed, it undermines their motivation and willingness to endure the restrictions of wartime.
Social consent as the basis of mobilization policy
The Christian democratic vision emphasizes that mobilization should reflect public agreement on how the country is defended. This means the need for a constant dialogue between the state and citizens, transparency in decision-making, and the involvement of different segments of society in discussing mobilization policy.
Key elements of this approach:
Transparency of mobilization criteria. Society must clearly understand the rules of conscription, who gets a deferment and why, and how long the service lasts.
Public reporting. Regular information on the status of mobilization, the number of recruits, rotations, and service conditions.
Public control. Involve representatives of civil society, including veterans’ organizations, in monitoring mobilization processes.
Social dialog. Continuous discussion with different groups of society on issues related to mobilization, taking into account their needs and concerns.
The role of communities in supporting the mobilized
Another important aspect emphasized by the Christian democratic approach is the role of local communities in supporting those mobilized and their families. Mobilization is not only a relationship between the state and an individual citizen, but also a matter of solidarity at the community level.
“In the Christian democratic approach, the community is not only a territorial subject of self-government, but also a moral and social unit of solidarity,” the analytical materials note.
An effective model of such support includes:
- Establishment of community-based support centers for military families
- Adaptation programs for veterans returning from the frontline
- Systematic psychological assistance for both the military and their families
- Mechanisms for rapid response to the urgent needs of mobilized families
It is through this multi-level support that mobilization can become not only a legislative compulsion but also a manifestation of public solidarity.
Restoring moral legitimacy: concrete steps
Summarizing the Christian democratic approach to solving the problem of the split around mobilization, several key recommendations can be identified:
- Implementation of a rotational model. A clear system in which every man of military age performs military service on a rotational basis, with guaranteed terms of both service and civilian life.
- Strengthening the fight against corruption in military enlistment offices. The inevitability of punishment for selling “white tickets” or illegal evasion of service.
- Differentiated approach to different categories of citizens. Consideration of professional skills, marital status, and health status when determining the nature of service.
- Transparent communication. Constantly informing the public about the status of mobilization, dispelling myths and fears.
- Decent conditions for military personnel. Ensuring the proper level of equipment, training, medical care and rehabilitation.
- Involvement of religious communities. Use of the moral authority of churches to form an ethic of shared responsibility for the defense of the country.
- Psychological support. Create a system of psychological support for both military personnel and civilians.
Conclusion: from split to solidarity
The moral legitimacy of mobilization is not an abstract concept, but a concrete factor that determines the ability of a society to withstand external aggression. When citizens perceive the mobilization policy as fair, they are ready to endure the restrictions and trials associated with war.
The Christian democratic approach suggests rethinking mobilization not as an instrument of pressure or coercion, but as a manifestation of mutual responsibility to the community. This means moving from a system where some “chosen ones” bear the burden and others avoid it to a model where everyone contributes according to their capabilities.
In this model, mobilization ceases to be a source of social division and becomes a manifestation of national solidarity. This is not only an ethically correct approach, but also a practically effective one, because an army formed on the basis of justice and voluntary consent is always stronger than an army gathered through coercion.
Restoring the moral legitimacy of mobilization is not just a task for the military leadership, but a national priority that requires the efforts of the entire society: from political leaders to religious communities, from civil society to every citizen. Only such a comprehensive approach will allow turning a potential fault line into a source of unity and strength.
