1. Ukraine is a sovereign nation accepted as such by the whole world ...even russia ...so yes ..definately "defended" against invasion ...by definition
2."You are investing heavily in Ukraine's corrupt activities" - not at all ...a degree of corruption doesn't make it OK for a demonstrably EVEN MORE CORRUPT country to invade them or steal their land
3.At the last ...talking about Bakhmut or Ukraine ? No civillians in Bakhmut anymore ... just a demolition zone .
If you meant Ukraine as a whole ...strangely enough citizens ARE invested heavily in their own country .
