A sharp debate has erupted in the Ukrainian media space regarding mobilization and the role of the state in a citizen's life. The central event was an episode of the "Fabryka Novyn" (News Factory) TV channel, featuring Yuriy Fedorenko, commander of the "Achilles" strike UAV battalion of the 92nd Separate Assault Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU). The military officer did not shy away from addressing sensitive topics such as draft evasion and public dissatisfaction with the work of Territorial Recruitment Centers (TRCs).
Fedorenko took a hardline stance, stating that individuals avoiding their military duty are effectively shifting the burden of defending the country onto the shoulders of those already on the front lines. According to him, every instance of evasion is a direct blow to those serving. The battalion commander pointed out that public discussions are often accompanied by rhetoric he characterized as a manifestation of legal illiteracy.
The speaker paid special attention to a question popular among part of the population: "What has the state given me?" Fedorenko categorically rejected the very premise of such a question, calling it a consequence of ignorance regarding the essence of a democratic structure. He emphasized that in the social contract, the citizen's responsibility comes first, not the expectation of benefits from the authorities.
"The state owes nothing. You are simply ignorant and do not understand the essence of a democratic state: how it was formed, why historically it is exactly like this, what are the boundaries of the state's responsibility, and what are the boundaries of responsibility within this state and this socio-conceptual contract in which we find ourselves with you at this moment," the serviceman stated on air.
During the conversation, Yuriy Fedorenko also touched upon the topic of ideological influence. He asserted that demands for material or social benefits from the state in exchange for fulfilling civic duty are part of an external narrative, which he directly linked to Russian propaganda.
The military officer used a vivid metaphor to describe imperial logic, contrasting it with the democratic model. "We must say not 'what did they give me?', because that is a Russian narrative. After all, only empires provide the illusion of greatness — well, like, we have a missile. But we have an empty fridge — but we have a missile. We have a toilet outside — but we have a missile," Fedorenko added.
The appearance of the UAV battalion commander caused a wide resonance, as questions regarding the media activity of certain military figures have been raised repeatedly in the Ukrainian segment of social networks and media. Both their participation in TV broadcasts and the legal grounds for conducting such information activities by active-duty servicemen are being discussed.
Previously, in the Ukrainian segment of social networks and media, questions regarding the media activity of certain military figures, their participation in TV broadcasts and public discussions, as well as the legal grounds for conducting such information activities, were raised repeatedly.