Three Years of This · 1:01am February 25th
One year ago, I typed:
On February 24, 2022, eight years after they launched a limited invasion and occupation of border regions, the regime of Russia attacked Ukraine from multiple sides with the intent of fully conquering the nation, thence to dismember choice territories and install a puppet regime over whatever remained. Their justifications - imperial revaunchism, nationalist lies, and contempt for what they view as an inferior people - are familiar to those educated on Nazi Germany. As is their actions on conquered territory - forced deportations (an estimated two million, including deliberate separation of children from families), massed executions, and efforts to delete Ukrainian language and culture. In short, genocide.
Russia was repulsed in its efforts to inflict these on the entire nation, however early enthusiasm that their war would collapse proved ill-founded. Territorial change in the last year has been minimal for both sides. Both sides are growing wiser, but weaker. Russia pays in gold for overpriced Iranian drones and ancient NK shells, while Ukraine's calls for aid are sabotaged by pro-fascist politicians and the indifference of alleged friends.
There is no easy way out. I see no reason to expect either could launch some decisive blow in the coming year. Generic calls for them to 'negotiate' ignore the reality that Russia has broken all deals and will do so again. Ukraine knows this.
It will go on. See you next year.
I again call on people to write and call their politicians to support Ukraine in its defense against its would-be colonizer. And for those with means, to donate to worthy causes to alleviate suffering of the Ukrainian people. Thank you.
I was right, damned luck, damned world. May every damned Russian in arms choke on his own blood and die afraid.
Agreed.
As usual for war, it's really only the officers who need to die in a ditch. And it's really only the officers who never will. (Explaining is not condoning)
Entering the European theater was a mistake in both world wars and is still a mistake now. Let the Europeans handle their own security, we literally can't afford to. USD supply has doubled since 2017 and this war has done nothing but strengthen BRICS and pushed China/Russia into a long-term financial relationship. We need to restructure our federal government, strengthen our port plan/logistics, and reshore the means of production if we still want to be a global power in 50 years
I hate that we chose the messaging "for as long as it takes". How about "prevent ww3", "preserve the peace our ww2 vets fought for", "keep the world a place where invasions are bad and wrong". The best we can hope for (in many arenas) is that Trump gets bored and Europe steps up.
5832844
Defeating hitler was good actually.
You'd think fascists would have learned back when they fought one war back in the 40s and lost miserably.
5832914
They're really good at convincing themselves that never happened.
Hitler would've been defeated without direct US involvement. The Eastern front was 80% of the European theater. If germany had toppled or weakend the USSR , then was subsequently defeated after exhausting themselves against the soviets the world would have been a much more stable place for the past 80yrs.
5832826
pbs.twimg.com/media/Fc7tSG5WAAEW9B3.jpg
I regrettably disagree to the point of simply stating you are wrong. The modern Russian is even more guilty than in most such cases, for he is a volunteer and needs no orders at all to engage in mass looting, rape, and ethnic cleansing. He is a willing participant in aggressing against what he views as an inferior people, and if he is a "good" person he still provides covering fire for those who aren't.
The death of a Russian soldier improves the world. Sucks, but I don't make the rules.
5832861
Thinking that the then-wealthiest continent on earth becoming functionally united under fascist rule (red or brown fascism, pick your flavor) would not have had colossal adverse affects on American economy and security regardless of hAOW muCH $ oui SAeveD is exhibit A for "Isolationists are the dumbest fucking people on the planet."
5832939
Germany would not have toppled or weakened the USSR. That entire front was a farce that proved nobody had learned anything about fighting Russia since Napoleon made the exact same blunder vis a vis starting a land war in Asia.