Pathways to Civilian Engagement in Ukraine’s War Effort Following Russia’s 2022 Invasion

• In Event: Resilience and Reform in Ukraine: Civil Society, Political Influence, and Information Warfare

Abstract

The paper examines why some civilians in high-risk Ukrainian cities chose to remain and engage in the war effort as non-combatants following Russia’s 2022 invasion. Using a micro-comparative research design focused on Bakhmut, Chernihiv, and Dnipro, it explores how pre-existing networks and personal skills shape civilian mobilization. Through in-depth interviews and media analysis, the study identifies common factors driving civilian participation and highlights the crucial role of local social networks in facilitating wartime engagement.

Author

• Emma Mateo, Harvard U