Ukraine used to be one of the greatest nations in Europe, now, it stands as a shell of it's former selves. Why? Because the Russian Government, from Lenin to Putin, all wanted to crush the Ukrainians. Ukrainians have been fighting back just to survive. In 1917, the Germans gave them 'independence' from Russia (German Puppet-state) In 1918, they won their country back from the Germans and had to fight the onslaught of the Red Army. The Red Army with the NKVD (KGB) slaughtered so many Ukrainians in cold blood. They stole so much food, that the 'Bread Basket of Europe' starved, on mass. They slaughtered all rebels and repressed Ukrainian culture. Forcing Ukrainians to be more Russian. In 1928, Stalin began stealing food from the Ukrainian people to feed Russian people, so they could focus on industrialization. Again, they took EVERYTHING. They left not a crumb of food left for the Ukrainian people, killing millions of them, with many Ukrainians having to eat pets and dead family members just to survive. Then, after starving a large portion of them to death, Stalin sent in millions of Russians to replace them. All the land on the map you see, used to be mostly Ukrainian, now they are mostly Russian. Stalin banned and suppressed all signs of Ukrainian culture, killing anyone who dared to even celebrate Christmas. After that, the Germans under Hitler invaded the Soviet Union. Many Ukrainians took up arms to fight for the Soviets, but some believed the Germans would free them, and assisted the Germans. When the Germans raced through Ukraine, the initially offered a helping hand, though quickly revealed their true intentions. They were as brutal as the Russians, slaughtering and subjugating local Ukrainians. When the Red Army steamrolled through to 'liberate' Ukraine, they committed HORRIFIC war crimes. Some of the stuff I can't even say, though others, you could probably guess, like mass genocide and again replacing local Ukrainians with Russians. The replacement continued, in order to 'unite' the U.S.S.R., the government continued to force Ukrainians to become Russian. It wasn't until 1991, with the fall of the Soviet Union did the Ukrainian People catch a break. However, with the rise of Putin in the 90s, their short lived independence would not last. Around this time, they also have nuclear weapons, however, they gave it up for Putin's promise to "Never invade". Corruption was all throughout the government. Putin bribed and befriended all he had to, in order to basically control Ukraine. The Ukrainian people saw this, and started a mass uprising in 2010-2014. They threw Putin's puppet out of power in the "Dignity Revolution". Guess how Putin responded? He invaded Crimea that same year. He used the Wagner Group to take it, and then sent Russian troops to secure it after the Wagner Group took it. Despite outrage, the Ukrainian Government could do nothing but watch. They were like "Okay, you can have that, but nothing more." Putin wanted to take more and force his puppets back into power, however, Covid-19 prevented that. So as soon as it started dying down, around the 100th anniversary of the Ukrainian War for Independence, he invaded. His goals right now are to turn Ukraine into a puppet-state and take more Ukrainian lands. However, Ukraine will never die. The Russians who were forced to Ukraine to replace Ukrainians, adopting Ukrainian culture after independence. Russia has underestimated the Ukrainian people. Many are willing to die just to slow the Russians down. Now, after several years, they have begun to push Russia back. I watch a lot of combat footage to review it and see how warfare is changing, but sometimes, I can't help but shed a tear in shock. I have seen many horrible things, but the self-sacrifice and bravery of their resistance fighters is unlike anything I have seen or read before. From what I've read, Ukrainian culture is highly tied to the land, nature and religion. Given it's history, makes sense, and it also explains to me why some Ukrainians are willing to fight so hard for their home-towns. Why millions of Ukrainians refuse to leave, even now, as the spectre of death stares them down. Since the 1900s, the Ukrainian people have fought and died in the tens of millions for a chance at freedom. They are holding back the Russian bear singlehandedly from the rest of Europe, who just sits there and watches. Macron, who is pretty corrupt, is the ONLY person willing to fight along-side the Ukrainian people. Macron of all people. Cowards, that's what Europe Union is filled with. All Ukraine wants to do is join the European Union for protection, and all you do is sit there and watch. What about Finland? Poland? The Baltics? Will you treat them the same way? They have fought a long for generations against imperialism in Europe, and yet, in their hour of need, we just ignore them?
I remember when it was the 'cool' thing to do, waving Ukrainian flags and chanting 'Slava Ukraini'. Now, the far-right in America wants Ukraine to fall, and the far-left just goes "Welp, Palestine is suffering more"- ;-; It's not much better in Europe. Us in the west couldn't care what happens to others. I love individualism and individualist ideals, but this is just insanity. Putin clearly won't stop at Ukraine. Once Ukraine, has fallen, like Georgia and Belarus, who's next? Poland is the ONLY nation in Europe truly ready to fight Russia. So fake, all of us in the West. "I think the world should be like this" is so spoiled if you won't fight for it. "Freedom isn't free". If China invaded America tomarrrow, Americans would just lay down their arms and go "Welp, it was fun while it lasted". It's just so disappointing. Europe coward Infront of Putin, Zelenskyy is out there like "As President of Ukraine, I give Russia permission to do Victory Day Parade"- It's not just Ukrainians fighting for their freedom. Tens of thousands have joined the Ukrainian Foreign legion, and despite having little combat experience, and very little hope of success, they have destroyed many Russian units themselves. "За нашу и вашу свободу!" The brave 'Freedom of Russia Legion' is also fighting alongside Ukrainians. This fight is as much theirs as it is Ukraine's. Putin could fall here and now, but only if people are willing to sacrifice.
