Ukraine remains a democratic state even during a full-scale war, and citizens have the right to hold peaceful protests and openly criticize state decisions. However, there is a fundamental line between the right to protest and attempts to determine military personnel policy through public pressure, especially when it comes to the position of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This opinion was expressed by the head of the project for technological enhancement of the Security and Defense Forces of Ukraine Victory Drones, founder of the NGO "Center for Aerial Reconnaissance Support" Maria Berlinska, reports UNN.
"Citizens can come out with cardboard signs and defend their position regarding the Minister. But they cannot choose with cardboard signs who will become the C-in-C (Commander-in-Chief – ed.)," Berlinska wrote.
According to her, during the protests against the dismissal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, a number of surnames are already being voiced that the protesters propose instead of the current Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi. Allegedly, it was precisely because of the conflict between Syrskyi and Fedorov that the latter was dismissed.
"Voicing your vision to the president is okay. Demanding that the president appoint a specific C-in-C because the street said so is idiocy and chaos. By the way, Russian bots have now joined this game on the internet by the thousands, pretending to be us and fueling division to the max," Berlinska noted.
At the same time, she warned society, especially those who have no relation to the army and are not fighting, against harsh criticism of the military command. Because, in Berlinska's opinion, this will play into the hands of the enemy – the Russian Federation.
"Of course, we are a democratic country and there can be no untouchables. However, first and foremost, those who serve their country have this right. But when people who have not served a single day in 12 years start throwing humiliating mud at combat officers – this is clinical disrespect, a very unhealthy trend (…) If we 'crucify them in the squares,' tomorrow we ourselves will be crucified. Only not figuratively, but literally. They will be crucified by Russian officers, or rather even by ordinary soldiers. In occupied Kyiv," Berlinska emphasized.
She added that only people with appropriate education can understand the work of the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff. Berlinska called not to simplify the situation and reduce it to the idea that one wants to fight with drones and the other 'on horses.' Moreover, according to the volunteer, one should not forget the successful historical operations that were carried out by the current commander-in-chief Syrskyi.
"Is there anything to criticize Syrskyi for? Of course, like each of us. He is not ideal and not a saint (…) I will not list everything, it is easily googled. Part of this criticism is relevant, part is complete absurdity. For the sake of fairness, it is important to understand that every high-level commander has his own cemetery. Everyone. War cannot be without losses, just as it cannot be without mistakes," Berlinska noted.
The volunteer also emphasized that she had a constructive and positive experience working with the current leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In particular, according to her, Syrskyi personally contributed to the introduction of technologies into basic combined arms training, supported the development of training on ground robotic systems, and also contributed to increasing the training of FPV operators.
"Analysis and implementation of many best technological practices across the troops also often went through the personal control of the C-in-C. These are literally a few examples, there are dozens of them. Such a hopelessly 'outdated' C-in-C wants to fight with slippers on horses, but supports increasing training on drones. Well, the fact that the C-in-C never leaves the front, bravely travels along the front line, meets with soldiers, is also a well-known fact. I repeat, this all does not mean that the C-in-C is ideal. But to see the full picture, you need to voice everything. As they used to say in our village: love the truth, God," Berlinska emphasized.
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