---
title: "The Economist: Ukraine is ready for a war of attrition, but the main enemies are internal"
description: "The Economist published an alarming forecast: Ukraine is ready for a war of 2-3 years, but the main threats are internal. Corruption, a \"cult of loyalty,\" and the sabotage of anti-corruption bodies could undermine the country's resilience more than Russian artillery. 🇺🇦📉"
date: 2026-05-27T09:30:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/the-economist-ukraine-is-ready-for-a-war-of-attrition-but-the-main-enemies-are-internal
tags: []
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# The Economist: Ukraine is ready for a war of attrition, but the main enemies are internal

![Ukrainian soldiers in full gear walking down a road past barbed wire obstacles](https://xab.info/media/2026/05/27/the-economist-ukraina-gotova-k-voiny-na-iznos-glavnye-vragi-vnutri/soldiers-walking-past-barbed-wire.webp)

The British magazine The Economist has published an in-depth analysis of the situation in Ukraine, which, unlike many other forecasts, does not focus on short-term tactical successes. The publication's experts look at the long-term perspective: the country is already being prepared for a protracted conflict that could last another two to three years. However, as it turns out, the most serious threats to Kyiv come not from enemy artillery, but from within its own system.

### The Paradox of Optimism and Reality

The situation on the front lines currently looks the most promising in recent years. Thanks to the mass adoption of drones and effective tactics, the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) have struck a blow to the plans for a Russian ground offensive. The statistics speak for themselves: Russian army losses exceed Moscow's ability to quickly mobilize new reserves. Nevertheless, The Economist analysts emphasize that the lack of a turning point on the front does not mean a speedy victory. The state is capable of withstanding a long-term load, but the price of this survival is total militarization and the inevitable growth of military corruption.

### Internal Crisis of Trust

The main risk highlighted by the publication is the erosion of social cohesion. The unity that united the nation at the beginning of the full-scale invasion is beginning to crack under the pressure of fatigue and corruption scandals. Special attention is paid to the so-called "Mindichgate" — a resonant case involving the president's entourage. The events showed that the political elite is not immune to internal feuds that undermine public trust in the authorities.

### Change in Style of Governance

The article notes a noticeable transformation in Volodymyr Zelenskyy's style of governance. If the president was previously associated with openness, experts now note the emergence of a "cult of loyalty" and detachment from the general public. The President's Office is increasingly accused of attempting to control the media space, using anonymous resources to discredit opponents. This creates an atmosphere in which constructive criticism is replaced by a struggle for loyalty.

### Anti-Corruption Fight Under Threat

One of the worrying signals has been the sabotage of the work of anti-corruption bodies through judicial mechanisms. A bright example was the resignation of Vasyl Maliak from the post of head of the SBU, who refused to comply with demands to pursue anti-corruption activists. This indicates that the system of checks and balances within the country is under serious pressure.

### The Russia Factor and the War Economy

The Economist also analyzed the resources of the adversary. Despite economic stagnation and sanctions pressure, the Russian budget was temporarily stabilized thanks to high oil prices, which were boosted by the conflict in Iran. This means that the Kremlin is capable of prolonging the war, even if its economy is not growing. A turning point for Russia is not yet visible, making the "war of attrition" scenario the most likely.

Against the backdrop of these gloomy forecasts, voices of optimists are also heard. Some experts do not rule out the resumption of peace negotiations as early as this summer. However, the majority lean towards the idea that the conflict will end only with the capitulation of one of the parties. At the same time, Volodymyr Zelenskyy himself expressed hope in a recent speech that the hot phase of the war could end by November of this year.