Two years of genocide
There's nothing new in this part of the world
LAST SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24TH, THE WORLD remembered the day of the invasion of Ukraine two years ago, a day that changed the lives of every single Ukrainian no matter where they came from, or social background, occupation, family, or activity. When Russians invaded our nation, they were not merely taking control of territory, but started an attempt to alienate us from the most elementary components of our souls
The understanding of belonging to a land called Ukraine and feeling Ukrainian.
In International Law, there is a specific crime defined as the deliberate and systematic extermination of a national, racial, ethnic, or religious group, typically with the intent to destroy that group entirely or in part. If we examine the speeches from the Russian dictator, he could be easily charged for this crime, the crime of genocide, for his numerous declarations when he denied the existence of Ukrainian people and language.
Our enemy, in this way, does not recognize us as a people. With our own cultural features, with everything that makes us unique among hundreds of nations in the world. His handling of absurd historical interpretations aims to justify the unjustifiable: the belief that Ukrainians are an inferior category of people, thus subject to their subordination and domination.
It's shocking, but there's nothing new in this particular part of the world. Russians have been our nightmare along the centuries, and they've been repeating this behavior since their territory was not even called Russia. A thousand years ago, when our lands were called Kyivan Rus, the people from the plains located North and then known as Muscovy and Novgorod were already extending their greed to this valuable piece of Geography located along the Dnipro and the Black Sea.
Russians are our terror since before they were even called "Russians". One might wonder if they choose to steal the name "Rus" to pursue legitimacy on claiming the lands located around Kyiv (hence Kyivan Rus), well, I'll not feed more historical interpretations. The fact, and that's not interpretation, is that the ones today known as Russians are trying and trying along the times to erase every manifestation of autonomy and nationalism of a people that for many generations understand themselves as Ukrainians.
The basic right of understanding ourselves for what we are, for what we feel that we are. A basic right that was denied us for almost a thousand years and we were finally experiencing it in the last 33 years.
When it comes to a genocidal dictator, however, it needs to be understood that he'd never allow some group of people who he deems inferior and dominated for so many centuries, to pursue their own independence.
This war is just another one among dozens and dozens of others. In common, the genocidal intent. The evil. The terror. The madness. The unreasonable madness. Every genocide is madness.
The exception is that on this one, we are telling the story at real time.
And there's another exception: this time, we are backed by most of the world. That's why we will win.
We are now starting the third year fighting against genocide. May it be the last one.
Thank you for staying with us.
🔖 More than a newsletter, this is a community. We divide our lives, share emotions and establish a connection that has been amazing to me and comforting at the hardest times. I hope to reach you with an inspiring content and make at least a little difference in your perceptions about Ukraine.
If you aren’t yet subscribed to my Substack, please consider it, no matter if your choose a free plan or a paid one. Despite being a valuable source of help for me, the texts here will remain open for everyone regardless of choice!
📖 Last winter, I’ve also written a book called ‘The Divine Comedian: Ukraine’s Journey Through Hell, Purgatory, And Paradise’. If you still haven’t read it, I welcome you to take a look and give me your opinion. It is available for free downloading in PDF and Kindle formats: