YouTube has responded to user concerns and explained that it is not removing the ad skip button, but only changing some elements of the ad display.
“YouTube is not hiding the skip button,” YouTube spokesperson Oluwa Falodun says. “On skippable ads, the button appears after 5 seconds into playback, as always.”
YouTube is “reducing elements on the ads player” so that “viewers can engage more deeply with the ad through a cleaner experience.” Users of both desktop and mobile devices can also see a countdown timer for skipping ads that appears as a progress bar in the viewer's progress bar.
YouTube is actively expanding its advertising options. For example, ads will now appear during video pauses. YouTube is also actively fighting ad blockers.
Of course, perhaps the easiest way to get rid of ads is to pay for YouTube Premium, especially since for Ukrainians it's more a matter of principle than a significant expense.