UKRAINE UNDER THE CONDITIONS OF THE SECOND YEAR OF EXISTENTIAL WAR IN ANALYSTS’ REFLECTIONS OF THE WARSAW CENTRE FOR EASTERN STUDIES

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to elucidate the reflection of the main aspects of the full-scale stage of the Russo-Ukrainian war by analysts of the Marek Karp Centre for Eastern Studies. The research methodology is based on the principles of objectivity, scientificity, systematicity and historicism, as well as the application of an interdisciplinary approach. Structural functional and comparative historical methods have been used. The scientific novelty of the article consists in an attempt to elucidate the current stage coverage of the Russian aggression against Ukraine by analysts of the Marek Karp Centre for Eastern Studies. The Conclusions. Thus, during the second year of the Russo-Ukrainian war, the Marek Karp Centre for Eastern Studies analysts followed all the events (both in foreign and domestic arenas) quite carefully. According to them, the withdrawal of the Armed Forces from Avdiyivka (February 19, 2024) was the symbolic date of the end of the second year of war. In their publications, the analysts focus on combat operations at the front, political processes, socio-economic, information security, environmental, educational, cultural, religious problems, the policy of Western countries regarding war and security in Europe in general. During this year, the chief focus of analysts was on the battles for Bakhmut, the counteroffensive launched by the Armed Forces of Ukraine on June 4, the restoration of the transport corridor through the Black Sea, achieved owing to strikes on the ships of the russian Black Sea Fleet, grain exports, attacks by the Ukrainian drones on military, energy and oil facilities on the territory of the russian federation, Ukraine’s entry into the EU, the signing of security agreements and internal processes within it, etc. At the same time, in their publications, analysts also mention a number of negative factors that directly affected the front – corruption scandals, political competition, which reached its peak with the dismissal of Valery Zaluzhnyi from the post of Commander-in-Chief, etc. In this way, the reader can get a holistic view of the main aspects of the war. Perhaps the main conclusion is the opinion of the director of the Marek Karp Centre for Eastern Studies, Wojciech Kononchuk, that Ukraine needs weapons for defense and victory, and, accordingly, the political will and quick decisions of Western countries.