The following text by Yana Makova was published by Voice of Anarchists and translated by Thunderbird. It also appears on the libcom site
These are the very theses that every Ukrainian can see in the space of the own city. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the authorities have begun to strengthen the theses about freedom and democracy.
It is worth noting that during the times of “independence” in Ukraine there has never been an influential opposition. And the opposition, as is known, is an indicator that there is at least some kind of struggle between certain sides in the state.
The most striking example of this are the so-called communist movements, which received certain resources from the bourgeoisie for creating the appearance of opposition. In 2014, after the state coup, the new bourgeois authorities realized that these movements were incapable of anything, so they simply banned the Communist Party of Ukraine, the Progressive Socialist Party of Ukraine and other “left” organizations to the general joy. By doing this, the capitalists preserved part of the capital and gave the people a new illusory victory.
Another striking example of such an opposition are representatives of Petro Poroshenko’s party. They occupy seats in parliament, openly criticize Zelensky’s government and hold certain actions. It would seem that there is an opposition in the country, but we need to compare two evils. These two sides are identical, they have no ideological or economic differences. “European Solidarity” and similar political forces are another vivid example of how the bourgeoisie creates the appearance of an opposition and deceives the people.
Another example of the opposition in Ukraine are social chauvinist organizations of the “left” type. Of course, they have no intention of profiting from the Ukrainian people, but at the same time they dance to the bourgeoisie’s tune. “Black Flag” and “Resistance Committee”, which instead of fighting the state, go to its defense, explaining this by the fact that if it loses, it will be worse than now. “First defend, and then change!” – they claim.
But in the case of a successful defense of this regime, no changes in favor of the left will occur. The state has long been engaged in the destruction of potential future opposition. “Law enforcement” bodies are acting with the most cannibalistic methods and are trying to keep it quiet in order to hide the repression. Anyone who now stands in defense of this state and hopes that everything will be resolved after the war will face the fate of all political prisoners in Ukraine [A recent example with Marxists, – translator’s note.]
Based on this information, we can conclude that the state only created the illusion of the presence of the opposition, and suppressed the real one. Such a state, like any other, is an enemy that, no matter what, should not be defended Despite the fact that the repressive machine has already started and is gaining momentum, the people still have a chance to stop this madness and ensure a better fate for future generations.
Freedom to political prisoners! Death to the repressive machine led by the state!