When the world's at stake,
go beyond the headlines.

Welcome to The Ukraine Compass, a weekly digest of Ukrainian commentary and analysis from across the political spectrum only for War on the Rocks members. Each Monday, we bring you a curated selection of articles from Ukrainian media offering insight into how Ukrainians themselves debate the issues shaping their country.American coverage often narrows the view to the battlefield — these pieces widen it, revealing the texture of daily life, politics, and public argument in a nation at war. The perspectives gathered here are varied, candid, and often surprising, together forming a more complete picture of Ukraine as it really is.Frontline and StrategyМежа — Mezha.net (“Limit”)Small, independent publisher of Ukrainian and English language news and commentary“We Are Waging War Not For The Sake of Someone or Something, But For Ourselves”By Limit Editorial Board/ Mar. 22, 2026Commander Ihor Mykhailenko describes the war as fundamentally transformed from 2014 to 2026, evolving from poorly equipped fighters to highly technological warfare involving drones, surveillance, and precision tactics. Combat has become far more complex and dangerous, he argues. He does not expect the war to end soon, arguing it will continue until Russia is either exhausted or global conditions force its end. He emphasizes that Ukraine is fighting for its own survival against a powerful adversary and warns that broader global trends suggest a prolonged era of conflicts.“The war has changed dramatically — radically so — and those fighting today face far harsher conditions than in 2014, when movement on the battlefield was far less restricted. Now, every action must be carefully planned, even down to choosing the right weather to avoid detection, while navigating threats such as surveillance systems, thermal imaging, and constant drone presence. Combat has become significantly more complex and dangerous, and this evolution is ongoing, with robotics and new technologies continuing to reshape the battlefield.”***Новий