After 24 February 2022, the life of every Ukrainian citizen changed forever. Find out more about what awaits the country after the Victory and how Ukrainians will change

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No one can predict exactly when the great war with russia will end. However, everyone knows that victory will definitely come. So we should start thinking now about how to communicate with veterans and socialise them for a peaceful life. Every civilian can make a contribution to make the soldiers feel comfortable after the war.

Will society remember the war in decades to come?

According to Yuriy Bogdanov, Advisor to the Head of the Dnipro Regional State Administration, Ukrainians will start forgetting the realities of the war in one generation. Positions such as "children are not responsible for their parents" will still be heard in society. Of course, such sentiments will prevail if russia does not pose a threat. Otherwise, there will be no such rhetoric.

Veterans will also not constantly remember the war. They will be preoccupied with rebuilding their lives: rehabilitation, socialisation and political representation.

Misconceptions about the post-war period

The expert identifies two groups of expectations about veterans that will not be fulfilled:

• Positive: the military will become a catalyst for positive changes in the country;

• Negative: veterans will be dissatisfied with the mood in society and will start to "pump" their rights.

Civilians will also suffer from veterans' PTSD.

If these predictions do not come true, what will happen?

Interaction with veterans

Civilians need to be taught how to communicate with veterans in order not to retraumatise them and create awkward situations. 

One of the aspects that can trigger the military is boasting about their own merits. It is not appropriate to talk heroically about your donation of 20 UAH as a significant contribution to the victory. Of course, we are not talking about pensioners or low-income people who are objectively unable to donate larger amounts to the Armed Forces.

It is important to teach adults and children how to respond to traumatised people. Of course, some people will turn away when they see a person with an injury. However, this should not be the case. Ukraine needs to teach its society to be correct and tolerant. 

However, we should not put on rose-coloured glasses and expect absolute tolerance. In Ukraine, as in the US and Europe, veterans will also face indifference. Untreated contusions, personality disorders and nervous reactions to loud noises are not a pleasant sight.

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Veterans in politics

Experts predict that Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers will be invited to join political parties and used for manipulation to win votes. Every organisation and party will want to have a veteran among its members to represent them to the public.

Another option is to create a party of veterans. However, this prospect raises concerns that the country will be ruled by a dictatorship. However, this scenario is unlikely. Political forces and social movements that use veterans are more likely to take place.

Social benefits for veterans of the war with russia

Only time will tell whether Ukraine will change its approach to providing benefits to its defenders. However, we can already look at the experience of previous years.

In 2016-2017, about 15% of veterans used the benefits.  There are many reasons for this low level. Among them is the reluctance to apply for benefits, as well as to recall traumatic experiences.

Problems that veterans will face after the victory

Even today, soldiers face problems that require significant resources to solve. Let's list the main ones:

• Physical and mental health problems. Even now, we need to prepare for the fact that not everyone will consciously go to specialists and work on their condition. Some will refuse help and try to treat themselves, and some will start abusing alcohol;

• Problems with socialisation. This block includes many areas of life: from the family circle to work. Colleagues and friends may ask inappropriate questions and trigger veterans, and the need to change their profession (which arises due to trauma) will also add to negative emotions;

• Problems with political representation of their interests. 

First of all, it is necessary to provide veterans and their families with decent rehabilitation and socialisation. 

Just a reminder. Life in Ukraine after the war is a topic of concern to many people. Today, the country continues to fight to preserve its independence and territorial integrity. Thus, the question of what life in Ukraine will look like after the war remains relevant. Read more about what Ukrainians will face after the end of russian aggression here.

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