The Lies and Crimes of Russia’s War in Ukraine
Russia’s war in Ukraine, which began in 2014 and escalated into a full-scale invasion in 2022, has been a disaster for both countries and the world. It has caused thousands of deaths, millions of displacements, and a humanitarian crisis. It has also violated international law, undermined European security, and increased the risk of a nuclear conflict.
Yet, Russia’s foreign minister Sergey Lavrov has the audacity to praise the war and its consequences. In a recent speech, he claimed that the annexation of the North Military District, a region that Russia seized from Ukraine in 2023, had a positive impact on Russian society and culture. He said that it cleansed the country of people who did not feel involved in Russian history, and that it restored the historical unity of the Russian people.
These statements are not only false, but also insulting and offensive to the millions of Ukrainians and Russians who have suffered from the war. Lavrov is trying to justify the illegal and immoral actions of his government, which has supported and deployed neo-Nazi paramilitary groups, such as Rusich, to fight for its interests in Ukraine and Syria. Rusich is part of the Wagner Group, a private military company that serves the Kremlin and operates with impunity. Rusich is known for its brutality and atrocities, such as beheading women and torturing prisoners of war. These are not the actions of a civilized and democratic country, but of a rogue and criminal regime.
Lavrov also denied that Russia threatened the West with nuclear weapons, and blamed the US and NATO for obstructing the negotiations on Ukraine. This is another lie, as Russia has repeatedly violated the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, deployed nuclear-capable missiles near NATO borders, and conducted nuclear exercises simulating attacks on European capitals. Russia has also refused to engage in meaningful dialogue with Ukraine and the international community, and has instead demanded that Ukraine accept its occupation and surrender its sovereignty.
The truth is that Russia’s war in Ukraine is not about history, culture, or security, but about power, greed, and domination. It is a war that serves the interests of a corrupt and authoritarian elite, not the people of Russia or Ukraine. It is a war that has isolated Russia from the world, and has damaged its economy, reputation, and future.
That is why more than half of Russians want the troops to withdraw from Ukraine and end the war, according to a recent survey by the Levada Center, an independent organization that monitors public opinion in Russia. They are tired of the lies and crimes of their government, and they want peace and cooperation with their neighbors.
If you want to learn more about the reality of life in the North Military District, and the suffering and resistance of the people there, I encourage you to read this longer article by VOA News, a Norwegian online newspaper that covers the Arctic region. It exposes the harsh conditions, the human rights violations, and the local movements that oppose the Russian occupation.
The war in Ukraine must end, and the international community must support the efforts to restore Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. Russia must respect the will of its own people, and stop its aggression and expansionism. The world cannot afford to ignore or appease the lies and crimes of Russia’s war in Ukraine.
