Broken-hearted

“It is certain, in any case, that ignorance, allied with power, is the most ferocious enemy justice can have,”- James Baldwin.        

It's been heavy on me for the past weeks due to the Ukraine-Russia situation... Being a citizen of the world since I was 14, my roots come from Russia, and that's what I am questioned for now. I do not support the move on Ukraine and the devastation being caused. Some of my cousins are 1/2 Ukrainian. I have (had?) friends and acquaintances in Ukraine (some of them recently stopped answering my messages though)… It's not the government who will feel the result of sanctions and loosing the human connection, it is the people like me who will suffer.??

I am scared for both Ukrainian and Russian civilians who do not support this war but are dragged into it. I am scared for Russians living abroad as they would feel hate and discrimination for being Russian… and I am scared for what the war would cost friends, families, and acquaintances - turning against each other.?

To understand this war one should conduct an extensive research; and still, you will be left guessing the actual reason for 'invading' Ukraine. No one can look into the minds of political leaders who tweak words to their own benefit, and act despite the made statements and promises. I have a Master's degree in Public Relations, this has taught me to never trust one single Media source. The closest you can get to knowing the reason for this or that is by following various Media channels, local and international in parallel. Also, talking to people who are involved in the situation, citizens and victims. Plus, be observant by studying the emotional reactions of people delivering the message (aka body language). If you ask me "So, what's the reason for this 'invasion'?", I'd say there are 3 versions I can think of: 1) One's Ambition; 2) Battle of the Titans; 3) Mass distraction.

1) One's Ambition

Russians DO NOT want this war or any other war! We, the people, are simply f...d. The economy of Russia has been unstable since Crimea. Inflation went tremendously high and it is still rising. As well, taxes increased as more funds were needed to support Crimea's integration. Russian citizens - "the payers" - have been continuously rioting in protest of the government actions and its leadership. Some got publicly vocal, some - in the premises of their own homes where they felt safe... Yes, there is fear from within...

Every other Russian family has some of their people still living in Ukraine - siblings, cousins, parents, friends, and so on… Despite the fact that many Russian-Ukrainians fled Ukraine since 2012 when the nationalization started (read more about it here, Harvard Ukrainian Studies), many have stayed and were the ones to experience hate & aggression. Many were hurt or killed but still, this doesn't justify the fact of taking over another country's land. There are other ways to protect your citizens - flying them over to Russia, for example. There is plenty of land in Russia as it is 1/6 of the world...

International Media speak of the Russian president trying on the "emperor's crown", about his unpredictability, totalitarian regime, etc. Not a surprise knowing that after already 20 years in power, he has changed the constitution to stay for 12 years more - until 2036 - after his current term expires in 2024.

So the outcome of the first possible story, the man wanted to rule the world and he started acting upon that. He was done with other countries interfering with the course of Russian history, in its politics, and in the decision-making process, and he stood up for his 'rights'... bringing Russians in the conflict along with him.

2) Battle of the Titans

The second reason is rooted in Defense, a push-back to the US and Europe coming closer to the Russian borders. The crisis promptly started escalating in 2017, when the United States revealed plans to build a maritime operations center in Ochakiv for training the Ukrainian Black Sea Navy on Ochakiv Naval Base. It felt like a threat to Russia - too close to its borders. Plus, the facilities could be used by NATO as a stepping stone for a more advanced military presence there, making it only 12 minutes for a missile to reach Moscow from Ochakiv (Read more here). Russian soldiers and Media say that "it is the main reason for pushing the Western world back as per neglecting the earlier signed agreements, and expanding the NATO presence". I can't confirm or deny, as I only learned about it recently. The current aggression in Ukraine aimed at Ochakiv was among the first places to hit to de-mobilize the military forces, you've seen it on the news.?

I heard in the international Media about 137 civilian and soldier deaths until now. No one who I know in Ukraine have been affected by the bombing. I keep my fingers crossed for everyone safety! (If your family/contacts in Ukraine have experienced losses, please do share in comments about the severity of the situation in that area. We need to learn from your personal stories as there were not too many stories shared in the Media yet)

3) Mass distraction

This last thought of a possible reason is that it was never about Ukraine but distracting from something else. Nope, not Trump's investigation. Something way more dangerous than that. If it is so, we are all doomed, I believe...

So here I am - scared and concerned as I can't believe my eyes of what I see on the screen. It is horrifying...

People of Ukraine and the international community - this war is the decision by the Russian government, NOT THE PEOPLE. I kindly ask you not to rise against the people. They are only pons in this. I keep my fingers crossed for your families and friends in Ukraine to be safe!

Finishing my post with a photo from the 2022 Winter Olympics. Defending aerials champion Oleksandr Abramenko won Ukraine’s first medal of the Games and celebrated by getting a hug from Russian skier Ilia Burov at a time of rising tensions between the countries. I hope this war stops soon and that one day we will be open to hugging again...