365 days of Russia’s terrible, genocidal war in Ukraine. Tens of thousands of Ukrainians dead and millions displaced.
After 365 days, it’s easy for us Americans to ignore the war as it grinds on. But we cannot lessen our support for Ukraine and its people. We must continue to stand united against Putin and Russia.
Russia has devolved into a Fascist, authoritarian, terrorist, and isolated state. Hundreds of thousands of its men are mobilized, only to be poorly trained and equipped, then sent to be cannon fodder in wave after wave of outdated and ineffective, WW1-style battles. Hardened Russian prisoners, including murderers and rapists, are recruited to enter a constitutionally illegal, but widely accepted private army.
Russia feeds lies to its people. State TV controls the narrative as Russian propagandists scream for elimination of Ukrainian identity and threaten nuclear war. Disinformation becomes the norm in Russia as independent journalists are ousted, the internet is censored, laws to control speech are enacted, and Putin’s opponents are imprisoned or thrown out of windows.
We have seen that Russia bombs the Ukrainian infrastructure and power grid in an attempt to freeze and starve Ukrainians during winter. War crimes have been documented, including execution style murders of ordinary citizens, rape, the deportation of thousands of children for “re-education”, and the use of phosphorous bombs to cause uncontrollable fires. The world economy has destabilized and worries of WW3 or nuclear war loom. Democracy in Europe and other countries (e.g., Moldova, the Baltics) are under threat if Putin and Russia are allowed to continue.
After 20 years in office, Putin did all of this to in a sick and evil attempt to remain in power and recreate his vision of a renewed empire/Soviet Union - no matter the cost to Russia, his people, Ukraine, and the world. He must be stopped.
#Ukraine, #Україна
#SlavaUkraini, #СлаваУкраїні
#RussiaIsATerroristState
Image source: New York Times
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/24/world/europe/ukraine-war-anniversary-photos.html
