Analysis: Ukraine's Rising Graveyards and the Tragedy of a Vanishing Youth
Exploring the somber reality in Lviv, western Ukraine, where the haunting specter of overflowing graveyards and vanishing young men casts a shadow over the nation's rural communities.
Few places evoke the deep-seated pain that Ukrainians have endured over the years quite like Lychakiv Cemetery in Lviv, a city in western Ukraine.
Editor’s Note: Michael Bociurkiw (@WorldAffairsPro) is a global affairs analyst. He is a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council and a former spokesperson for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. He is a regular contributor to CNN Opinion. The opinions expressed in this commentary are his own. Read more opinion at CNN.
Michael Bociurkiw
Michael Bociurkiw
Chrystia Chudczak
The final resting places of many figures of Ukrainian independence can be found among the rolling hills. These figures include renowned poet Ivan Franko and composer Volodymyr Ivasiuk, whose mutilated body was discovered hanging from a tree in 1979. It is widely believed that Ivasiuk was a victim of KGB brutality.
Lychakiv has now become the final resting place for numerous servicemen and women who have lost their lives in the recent surge of Russian aggression. The overwhelming sense of grief is evident. During my visit to the cemetery a few weeks ago, the chilling winter winds clashed with the heart-wrenching cries of mothers and wives mourning the loss of their dear ones. Many of the fallen soldiers are in their twenties, at the peak of their lives.
Since the early stages of the war, I have been frequenting Lychakiv to gain a deeper understanding of the human toll. While there is extensive focus on high-level diplomatic discussions regarding long-range ATACMS missiles and F-16 jets, the true face of the conflict, often overlooked in international news, is this heartbreaking reality.
In Ukraine, the extensive losses have affected almost every family, adding to the prevailing sense of weariness that envelops the country like a chilling blanket of snow.
Images of fallen Ukrainian soldiers fill Lychakiv Cemetery in Lviv on February 24, 2024, the second anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion.
Images of fallen Ukrainian soldiers fill Lychakiv Cemetery in Lviv on February 24, 2024, the second anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion.
Pavlo Palamarchuk/Anadolu/Getty Images
It is high time for the West to acknowledge the true toll of the war, which extends beyond just the number of deaths to include injuries, displacement, and the destruction of communities due to widespread upheaval. Medical professionals warn of a looming mental health crisis as soldiers return from the battlefield in unprecedented numbers.
As the war drags on with no clear end in sight, cemeteries like Lychakiv are reaching capacity, forcing officials to find space for new graves. While the actual number of casualties has been closely guarded by the government, President Volodymyr Zelensky recently disclosed a figure of 31,000, significantly lower than the 70,000 reported by US officials last year. However, it is the voices of those who have been silenced that serve as a stark reminder of the immense sacrifices made in the battle against Russian forces.
Lviv resident and community activist Lesia Krepyakevych shared with me that there are cemeteries like Lychakiv scattered throughout Ukraine. She expressed that despite the immense sorrow, there is also a sense of pride knowing that those who bravely fought in battle did so to defend their country. These cemeteries have now transformed into sacred sites of pilgrimage, where visitors draw upon inner strength.
It was also mentioned by multiple individuals that in the vicinity of Lviv, many small villages have experienced a significant loss of male population.
Several individuals have shared with me the alarming news that small villages surrounding Lviv have seen a significant depletion in their male population. The initial surge of volunteer fighters who rushed to recruiting centers at the onset of the war has dwindled significantly. This raises the question: considering those who have lost their lives, sustained permanent injuries, fled the country, or resorted to bribery to avoid conscription, who will remain if a mass mobilization is mandated? (In Ukraine, men aged 18 to 26 are exempt from mandatory military service but are allowed to volunteer).
Now, as Republican lawmakers return to work after a two week recess, the fate of the mega supplementary bill remains uncertain. Speaker Mike Johnson's decision on whether to bring the bill - which includes $60 billion in aid for Ukraine and was approved by the Senate - to the House floor is still unknown. This bill has been caught in political gridlock, largely influenced by former US President Donald Trump.
In moving forward, Johnson and his Republican colleagues must consider the sacrifices made by the Ukrainians. These individuals not only defended their country but also stood against Russia's encroaching authoritarianism, paying the ultimate price. While the battleground may be in Ukraine, the implications for democracy extend far beyond borders.
Ukrainian soldiers from the 79th brigade conceal a 105 mm howitzer with a camouflaged net near the frontline outside of Marinka, Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine on February 28, 2024 as the conflict between Russia and Ukraine persists.
Ukrainian servicemen of 79th brigade cover a 105 mm howitzer with a camouflaged net near the frontline outside of Marinka as the war between Russia and Ukraine continues in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine on February 28, 2024.
Wolfgang Schwan/Anadolu/Getty Images
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The Biden administration has struggled to effectively communicate the value of its military aid to Ukraine, which amounts to approximately $46 billion. Despite representing only 5% of the annual US military budget, this aid has enabled Ukrainians to significantly weaken Russian military capabilities, with their actions resulting in the destruction of about 50% of conventional Russian military capability.
Despite possessing a limited naval fleet, Ukraine has successfully executed stealth strikes on the Black Sea fleet, compelling Russian commanders to relocate their ships to safer areas. In addition, Ukraine's actions have effectively dismantled a unilateral Russian blockade of the western Black Sea, thereby reopening crucial waterways for the transportation of food shipments to global markets.
There is a dangerous disconnect between those who oppose aid for Ukraine and the potential consequences if Putin gets his way. Millions of Americans may already be facing economic hardships, but the situation could worsen if Russian forces disrupt key Ukrainian ports like Odesa, which play a vital role in the global food supply chain. This scenario is reminiscent of the disruptions caused by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, leading to chaos in supply chains.
French President Emmanuel Macron recently left open the possibility of deploying European troops to Ukraine, a statement made on Tuesday. While some European countries dismissed the idea and Russia issued threats in response, Macron's willingness to consider such action suggests that if the US reduces its support for Ukraine, Kyiv may have to rely more heavily on its European allies for assistance.
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In this David and Goliath fight, restricting Ukraine's ability to defend itself will lead to devastating consequences that go far beyond the financial assistance provided by Washington over the past two years since Russia's full-scale invasion. Along the 1,000 km frontline, the guns aimed at the advancing Russian forces have already gone quiet due to a shortage of ammunition.
For some Republican lawmakers who advocate for the US to abandon Ukraine, it would mean giving up on America and its core values. This conflict is, in many ways, also America's war, even though it is the Ukrainians who are on the front lines, risking their lives.
Editor's P/S:
This article left me with a profound sense of sorrow and admiration. The harrowing accounts of the sacrifices endured by Ukrainian soldiers and civilians brought tears to my eyes. The image of Lychakiv Cemetery, now filled with the graves of fallen heroes, is a stark reminder of the devastating toll this war has taken. Yet, amidst the grief, there is also a flicker of hope and pride. The Ukrainians who have given their lives did so to defend not only their country but also the values of freedom and democracy that we hold dear. Their sacrifices should not be in vain.
As an American, I am ashamed that there are still those in our government who would turn a blind eye to the suffering of the Ukrainian people. The war in Ukraine is not just a distant conflict; it is a battle for the very soul of our world. We must continue to stand with Ukraine and provide them with the support they need to defend themselves against Russian aggression. The future of our democracy and the values we cherish depend on it.
