Former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valeriy Zaluzhnyi warned about the risk of civil war in Ukraine related to the return of military personnel from the front line.
He spoke about this during his speech at the forum «Veterans as a New Political Subject: Rules of Interaction for Post-War Ukraine».
Zaluzhnyi noted that demobilized soldiers might face the temptation to earn easy money through illegal means if the economic situation in the country worsens.
«Unfortunately, the war is not over yet, and someone is already trying to make us enemies. This is the reality of today. This is what we are witnessing. And secondly: what awaits us tomorrow? We must realize that in conditions of, for example, a sharp drop in income, lack of work, housing, opportunities for self-realization in society and family, people with combat experience and weapons in their hands become easy targets for provocations and the temptation of quick money», – emphasized the former commander-in-chief.
As potential threats, he pointed to the possible rise in crime and increased danger on the streets, and also referred to historical examples.
"This is the minimum, and the experience of World War II, as well as the war in Afghanistan with its ’wild nineties,’ confirms this", - he noted.
Zaluzhnyi admits the possibility of political instability and even the threat of civil war.
«All of this could lead to risks of political destabilization in the country and threats to national security. For example, to a phenomenon such as civil war», – he stated.
Therefore, Zaluzhnyi believes that the return of veterans and their adaptation to civilian life will be a serious challenge for both the state and society, as well as for the military personnel themselves.