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 StrategyЦензор.НЕТ — Cenzor.NETNews and opinion site with a strong pro-defense, typically conservative voice“The Battle for High-Rises”By Tetiana Chornovol/ Mar. 31, 2026Tetiana Chornovol argues that multi-story concrete buildings — not weapons or troops — are the most critical resource in modern drone warfare. She explains that drone crews rely on high-rise structures as durable shelters and operational bases, since forests, trenches, and private homes are easily detected and destroyed. These buildings enable drone teams to hold defensive lines and protect infantry. She calls for greater coordination across units, prioritization of these structures, and even forced civilian evacuation to secure them. It also controversially advocates creating “scorched zones” to deny enemy access. The core claim: control of urban high-rises now determines battlefield survival and effectiveness.“It is necessary to create and implement a formal mechanism for compulsory evacuation for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This framing may be more acceptable to civilians, especially if it includes a meaningful one-time compensation payment. Such measures should not be limited only to already abandoned areas. The Armed Forces should also have the authority to clear entire residential blocks, when necessary, for defensive purposes. In the long run, this is in civilians’ best interest. Over four years of war, the same pattern