Decentralization of Power and its Subjects in the Context of the Russian-Ukrainian War

Abstract

The study examines the process of decentralization transformation during the period of the Russian-Ukrainian
war. The decentralization reform in Ukraine was quite successful, contributing to the active development of regions and
their financial self-sufficiency. However, due to military actions, the nature of decentralization has changed. Regions
closer to the front line faced challenges and new obstacles, yet, thanks to the success of the reform, they maintained
strong economic and military resistance against occupiers. Communities continued to rebuild their territories after
significant destruction.
The activities of decentralization subjects in wartime conditions are analyzed. Besides the pre-existing subjects
that have taken on new functions, new entities have emerged, exercising military authority locally. Often, there is an
overlap in the responsibilities of these actors, leading to local conflicts and posing a challenge for research. The
current state of Ukrainian identity is identified, highlighting the shift from regional and local identifications to a more
prevalent national identity due to the war. Regional political subjects, such as elites, parties, leaders, and media, play a
significant role during wartime. They are direct representatives of regional interests, enjoy higher levels of trust than
local government bodies, inform the population about the current situation, assist in resolving local issues, and
contribute to national cohesion. The study employs a systematic approach, methods of generalization, observation, and
the dialectical method to address the research problem.