Armed conflicts are fought using violent and non-violent means and methods. A large proportion of the media and analysts observes Russia’s aggression against Ukraine through the prism of the military, violent actions of warring parties, while the non-violent component of resistance, which is carried out by civil society and state institutions, attracts less attention. The Ukrainian side combines military defence and non-violent actions, which occur in various areas of society, applies different methods, and has numerous positive effects. The latter include rejecting Russia’s narrative of “liberating Ukraine”, hindering the morale of the Russian military, thwarting the military and political goals of the aggressor, impeding the establishment of an occupation authority, protecting several categories of the Ukrainian population, strengthening local authorities and the community’s will to resist, social cohesion, and resilience.
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