I hope today that I can speak directly to those who read our blog in Russia. I am fiercely aware that your government are clamping down on the flow of information to you by banning outside broadcasts, closing down radio stations and limiting your access to social media. It is my hope that you still have internet access and can forward this missive to others in your country.
Putin has sent Russian forces, in hundreds of thousands, to invade and attack the soverign nation of Ukraine. I beg you not to believe him and his version of the truth that this is a military action to protect Russian speaking Ukrainians in Dombas and Crimea. Russian troops are committing atrocities in many cities in Ukraine. They are shelling and bombing residential and non-military targets across the entire country.
There have been many civilian deaths, including women and young children. Hospitals and Kindergartens have been destroyed and millions of women and children are trying to evacaute to Poland, Hungary, Moldova and across many European borders.
Financial sanctions are being put on your country and this is why your Ruble is virtually worthless. Your interest rates have been increased to 20%. Your sportsmen and women are being refused entry into the Winter Paralympics. FIFA and EUFA have banned Russia from taking part in international football tournaments and Formula One have cancelled the Russian Grand Prix.
This is just the beginning. Many manufacturers and retailers are withdrawing from your country and life in Russia will be adversely affected for decades to come. Many countries have made representations to the Inernational Criminal Courts and an investigation is now underway into war crimes being committed by your government.
You are nation of many people and in your number lies great power. Ukraine is your neighbour and many of you have family and friends in Ukraine. I plead with you to stand up for the innocent people of Ukraine. Your young men have been deceived into this invasion. They are dying to placate Putin's hated of the West and for no other reason. I ask you to rise up in defiance of your leaders. They cannot put you all in prison.
Only the withdrawal of your troops from Ukraine and the restoration of peace in that nation will prevent the long term effects of the sanctions that the goverments of the US and Europe will inflict on Russia, There must be a way to prevent the loss of more innocent lives both in Ukraine and Russia.
God bless Ukraine. Adele
6 comments:
Heartfelt. I'm impressed you have readers in Russia.
It seems that some Russians are starting to leave their own country (into Finland) to escape what they fear might be further oppressive measures from the Kremlin.
Putin is an evil man!
Most Russians still believe the narrative that Ukraine was planning to somehow attack or destabilize Russia and with avenues to free discussion on the issue having been shut down it's difficult to see how any Western take on the situation will not be dismissed as manipulative fake news (just what the Russian government has been doing so effectively, of course).
I suspect there are as many ordinary people in Russia prepared to believe in Putin as there are Americans and Brits who still think Trump and Johnson were/are great leaders with valid causes.
This is Putin's War and not a lot Russia can do about it because he's effectively a dictator. Got to hope he croaks soon or gets deposed by the inner circle.
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