The Estonian and Lithuanian leaders have reminded the world that on this day, 81 years ago, Russia deported those (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, occupied Poland, which was then parts of Belarus and Ukraine, and Moldova), in the occupied territories to Siberia and other remote gulags. Most that ended up there, knew there would be no return.
The June deportation of thousands of people by the USSR was the idea of the KGB and NKVD, and was a Communist principle in controlling people. The project was called, ‘Resolution On the Eviction of the Socially Foreign Elements from the Baltic Republics, Western Ukraine, Western Belarus and Moldova’. You can see why the Baltic states and former Soviet and occupied states have a better understanding of how Russia works, and that the only way to prevent a reoccurrence is to defeat the Russian army.
Today, flags fly at half-mast to remember those who lost their lives. We know that Russia has already been deporting Ukrainians to Russia, with some being able to make their way out through the help of underground networks within Russia. The world cannot allow this to happen again, or for Russia to try and legitimise the deportations claiming that evacuation corridors can only lead to Russia.
All eyes will be on what the French, Germans, and Italians do over the next few days, and whether they do visit Kyiv.
Some will still ask if Ukrainians want to carry on fighting the Russians, and the answer seems to be yes, for they want to live in a democratic and free country. Those who like the Russian way can go and live in Russia, nothing is stopping them leaving Ukraine to do that.
Today the media is paying tribute to Roman Ratushnyi, aged 24 who died at the battle of Izyum on 9 June. He was a well-known activist who was beaten at the Euromaidan protests, and sacrificed his life for a free Ukraine. When young men risk their lives to protect democracy, then those with power in the West should do their part and help. It is hard not to get emotional when you see the young of Ukraine willing to fight for their country, and they do so also for Europe and the world.
Make no mistake, Ukrainians are brave, and are willing to die to save their country and their freedom. Don’t forget his name, his face, what he fought for, why he died, and what we the world must do to help Ukraine so his life, and the lives of all the others have not been in vain. How can we help? Send Ukraine the weapons they need to defend themselves without hesitation or fear of escalation. The Russians will fabricate what they see as escalation no matter what the West does.
Day 111 (14 June)
Severodonetsk has been the main Russian target for several weeks after the Russian secured Mariupol. Nearly all the bridges allowing evacuations into Severodonetsk have been destroyed, but Russians are offering civilians an evacuation corridor into Russian controlled areas. In effect, all are trapped there with few alternatives for survival bar surrendering or choosing to to live in a Russian occupied territory. Those who are captured know that there is the possibility of torture, imprisonment and death. Control of Severodonetsk would mean the Russians would be occupying Luhansk.
The Ukrainians do not have enough heavy weapons to match the Russians. Russia has been planning this for decades, and Ukraine has had only a few years to prepare. Wars have been lost through enforced peace treaties because allies had argued over what weapons to send and when.
History is repeating itself. The Winter War of 1940 (Finland and the USSR) ended when Finland was forced to sign a peace treaty and cede land to Russia because they had run out of weapons, and France was arguing with Britain over what weapons to send to Finland. The failure of the allies to act in a timely and decisive manner meant the Finns had no choice but to surrender. This is a repeat of the same situation, where Ukraine has asked for help from the allies, yet some are dragging their feet or making hollow promises.
The number of suspected traitors/ collaborators that have aided Russia in Luhansk (162) and Kyiv (155) so far have increased. These are only the ones that have been discovered, and that is why (as I have stated before) a ceasefire will not irradiate the mould that feeds the Russians, and that spreads without people knowing. Why do they do it? For money? Do they really believe life would be better under Russian rule with what they have witnessed? If so, then they need locking up for their own safety.
There has been pressure from world leaders, Ukraine, and Germans for Scholz to actively do more than make promises when it comes to sending heavy weapons to Ukraine. Scholz has come under intense scrutiny for refusing to send weapons, and then under pressure has made a promise that some would be sent in October. No one considers this is acceptable while a brutal battle is being waged in a territory that is near Germany.
The UK is trying to find ways to negotiate for the British born prisoners Aiden Aslin, and Shaun Pinner who have been sentenced to death, accused of being mercenaries. The UK cannot deal with Russia as it may suggest that the UK accepts they are mercenaries, while the DPR do not wish to negotiate and no state recognises them except for Russia. The plan seems to be one of protection at present, but this is where NGOs and International humanitarian alliances can show their worth. So far, there have been comments but no action as it is delicate situation. The prisoners have already been used as Russian propaganda—an example of why people should not side with Ukrainians nationalist.
The Russian occupation continues, where it is claimed that the Russians have told those left in Mariupol that their homes will be demolished and that they must move out, but the occupiers do not provide any means of relocation or offer to rebuild the home. This is a way to take control, so that should Ukraine retake Mariupol (and I hope so), that by installing Russians in new homes on the land it means that those who return will struggle to make any claim on the land that they once owned.
I just read a quote from George Orwell: "Don't let it happen, it depends on you." You are definitely doing your bit, Ex Libris!
No sane person can disagree with what President Zelensky has said, "We are dealing with absolute evil".