KYIV - Oleksandr Yabchanka, a 42-year-old pediatrician turned platoon commander in the 1st Separate "Da Vinci Wolves" Battalion, has issued a stark warning to fellow Ukrainians.

Recovering from his third battlefield injury, he emphasized that the war with Russia is far from over and urged Ukrainians not to ignore this reality.

Despite the ongoing conflict and the toll it has taken, Lviv and other parts of Ukraine have managed to maintain some semblance of normal life, with coffee dates and cocktail parties offering brief respite from the sporadic air strikes and grim news of civilian casualties.

Yabchanka and his fellow fighters are concerned that, while there is broad unity among Ukrainians, some individuals seem disconnected from the harsh realities of the prolonged conflict. They emphasize that the war could continue for years, requiring more people to step up and fight, and that a Russian defeat should not be taken for granted.

Ukraine experienced a surge in patriotism and support for its military following Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. Public morale remained high, and people continued to view the troops as heroes. Conversations often revolved around personal plans for life "after the victory."

However, there has been a tendency among some Ukrainians to underestimate the Russian troops, dismissing them as incompetent after their battlefield failures in 2022. Recent developments suggest that Russian forces have become more effective, resulting in mounting losses on both sides.

As the war drags on, Ukraine is adjusting its military recruitment strategies, including replacing regional recruitment office leaders, cracking down on draft dodgers, and modifying medical exemption rules for front-line service. While men aged 18 to 60 are generally prohibited from leaving the country, most have not been called up yet. The government must balance military needs with economic and social stability concerns.

Adriana Romanko, a psychotherapist leading a volunteer group supporting the military, warned that the popular slogan "I believe in the AFU (Armed Forces of Ukraine)" might create a sense of detachment among the public. She urged Ukrainians to avoid an overly idealized view of the war and to stay connected with those who are fighting.

Despite the challenges, many Ukrainians not directly involved in combat continue to actively support the cause, with a significant percentage volunteering or donating to aid the army or affected individuals. Survey data indicates that a substantial number have friends or family members who are currently serving or have fought in the conflict.

Battle-hardened veterans have expressed concerns about the long-term resilience of Ukraine, cautioning against rose-tinted views of the war and impatience fueled by certain public figures and journalists. They stress the importance of being prepared for the possibility of a deteriorating situation on the front lines.

Yabchanka, displaying a Cossack-style appearance, emphasized that those close to someone in the military tend to have a more realistic perspective. He expressed worry that many military-aged men may not fully grasp the harsh realities of close combat and heavy artillery fire if they were to be called up, emphasizing the human toll of the conflict on Ukrainian families.