Minds of the Movement
An ICNC blog on the people and power of civil resistance
In Europe’s not-so-distant history, as well as presently in Ukraine, ordinary people achieve the extraordinary when their freedom, human dignity, and security are threatened–even without weapons. This blog series shows that there exists a “narrow, dangerous, uncertain but very real path towards a better world”, in the words of French graphic novelist Xavier Dorison. That path is unarmed resistance, widespread in Ukraine since 2022, yet poorly documented and little-understood.
The contributors of the Ukrainian Freedom series include researchers, members of the European defense establishment, and above all, Ukrainian defenders themselves. Their articles are not aspirational; they are not calls for martyrdom. They document and analyze a vast area of human behavior with pragmatism, not ideology.
Unarmed resistance represents an original and constructive approach to defense, complementary to institutional efforts. It must not be neglected in discussions on defense and security, as this would leave Europe's populations vulnerable and ill-prepared, thus playing into Putin's hands.
ICNC is pleased to partner with ActionAid Denmark as well as the new, France-based Organization for Nonviolent Movements to produce this timely series. Check back soon for many more articles through March 2026.
