War or any major disaster is like a long-term illness. At first people rally around to help, offering support of any kind, but as the illness shows no sign of abating, people begin to drift away, leaving the patient alone, often to fend for themselves.
We certainly see this in the third year of the war between Ukraine and Russia. Ukrainian morale, both civilian and military, has significantly declined due to the prolonged nature of the war, military setbacks, and a sense of exhaustion.
Factors contributing to this include a shortage of troops, insufficient rest for soldiers, uncertainty about Western aid, and a perceived lack of progress on the battlefield, which has led to an increased desire for a negotiated peace and a weakening of the will to fight among some.
Estimates for Ukraine war casualties in 2025 vary, but recent figures suggest Russia has incurred over 790,000 killed or injured, while Ukraine has suffered 400,000 killed or injured. Russia also has approximately 50,000 missing personnel, and Ukraine has around 35,000 missing. These are estimates based on a variety of sources, including leaked documents and intelligence assessments from 2025.
As of September 2025, Russia’s war in Ukraine has dragged on for three and a half years. Despite nine months of efforts by the United States to end the fighting, there remains no end in sight. Yet despite all this diplomacy, multiple meetings, and countless statements, Russia continues to pummel Ukraine’s cities and engage in a brutal, months-long ground offensive.
Despite the low morale, the Ukrainian people's resilience remains a protective factor, according to a study by the National Institutes of Health and many soldiers express a strong commitment to fighting for their country despite their personal exhaustion.
On a brighter note, I try to find art or music that relates to the Ukrainian people which is rich but not well known to the Western world. One composer, well known in his native country, is Mykola Lysenko. I just came across his Rhapsody on Ukrainian Themes No.2- also known as “Dumka Shumka’ played by the British pianist Margaret Fingerhut in her album Ukraine, A Piano Tribute. In it I heard for the first time the haunting work of Viktor Kosenko, Nocturne-Fantasy. He was regarded by his contemporaries as a master of lyricism, but unfortunately died at theage of 41 of kindney cancer.
I always enjoy finding music of other cultures which are new to me, though revered in their native lands.
Our prayers are on-going for the courageous Ukrainian people who continue to show the world they will not be beaten down. They will not be forgotten and will always live on through their art and music.
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