Recently, I read a rather interesting analysis of the difference between Russian and Ukrainian society.
Russian politics are hierarchical with the orders coming from the leader and being passed down through the bureaucracy to the citizens. People are told what to do. While they might complain about being ordered around, they have come to accept the structure so thoroughly that in the absence of orders, they are at a loss for what to do.
Ukrainian politics is a bottom-up structure. The politicians do what the people tell them to do. Ukrainians do not wait for orders from above nor do they always listen to orders when given.
While an interesting analysis, it is an over-simplification. But it certainly explains some of what we are observing in the Russian war on Ukraine.
The Ukrainian people have responded in numerous ways to the Russian aggression without necessarily waiting to be told what to do. On the other hand, the Russian invaders seem to be mired in a command structure where they wait for their orders. And those in charge are waiting for their orders from the higher ups with the ultimate decisions landing on the desk of Putin and a few close advisors.
An example of this was a story about a drone club in Kyiv who dressed up their drones as Sky Net creations and chased Russian soldiers back to their camouflaged bases. Once they had located the bases, they then let the Ukrainian army know where the Russians were hiding. No one told the club members to do this but it worked. Or, at least, that is the story.
A small group of fighters is holding out in a steel plant in Mariupol, determined to fight to the last and never surrender. No one is telling them they have to stay and not give up, regardless of the cost. They are continuing to fight and not laying down their arms because they believe in their country.
They fight for a country where citizens are free and democracy means something.
By the time this column is published, the fight might be over. In similar battles throughout history, the larger invading force inevitably wins. After all, they have their orders even if it is not right.
Todd Whitcombe is a chemistry professor at UNBC.
