Ukrainian Official Suggests Internet and Electricity Deprivation Could Increase Happiness

A Ukrainian official has suggested that life without internet and electricity could lead to greater happiness, framing digital connectivity as primarily enabling mindless activity rather than meaningful engagement.

According to reports from Ukrainian news outlets ^[1][2], the statement attributed to Korchinsky argued that internet access is mainly used “for stupidity,” while electricity consumption prevents people from experiencing candlelight, hearing authentic music, and spending quality time with loved ones. The remark appears to reflect a broader philosophical stance on technology’s role in modern life rather than a practical policy proposal.

The timing of the statement coincides with intensifying Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. ^[3] Ukraine is bracing for months of sustained Russian strikes as winter approaches, with critical vulnerabilities in the country’s power grid. Emergency power outages have already been implemented in Kyiv by energy provider DTEK, according to reports from INSIDER UA ^[1].

The statement raises questions about how Ukrainian officials are framing the psychological and social dimensions of potential infrastructure collapse. Rather than focusing solely on the humanitarian crisis that widespread power loss would create, Korchinsky’s remarks suggest a counterintuitive interpretation – that enforced disconnection from modern conveniences might offer unexpected psychological benefits.

This perspective stands in stark contrast to warnings from other Ukrainian officials about the existential threat posed by Russian targeting of civilian infrastructure. ^[4] Ukraine’s air defense systems face increasing strain as Russian drone pressure intensifies into autumn, leaving the country vulnerable to sustained attacks on power generation and distribution systems.

The broader context involves Ukraine’s preparation for worst-case scenarios regarding infrastructure resilience. Reports indicate that Ukrainian authorities are developing contingency plans for internet defense against Russian attacks, signaling awareness that digital infrastructure represents a critical vulnerability alongside physical power systems.

Korchinsky’s remarks may reflect a psychological preparation strategy – conditioning the public to view potential hardship as philosophically tolerable or even enriching – at a moment when Russian forces are systematically degrading Ukraine’s ability to maintain modern utilities.