A Determination to Survive

Something important to know: “Russia launches biggest drone attack against Kyiv since start of war, Ukrainian officials say.” (Article here.) And the Kremlin’s drones come from Iran. Another article: “The Iranian drones deployed by Russia in Ukraine are powered by stolen Western technology, research reveals.”

There is an axis, obviously, or an alliance — a grand, murderous alliance: Russia, Iran, China, North Korea, Venezuela, Cuba, etc.

Another article: “Russian and Chinese executives discuss Russia-Crimea tunnel project.”

• Ukrainians from all walks of life have fought and died for their country. Saving Ukraine has been a nationwide effort: all hands on deck. I have noted the sacrifices of musicians, ballet dancers, athletes, filmmakers — all sorts of people.

Artem Sachuk was the vice president of the Ukrainian Chess Federation:

I admire the Ukrainians and their efforts to repel a monstrous invasion — to stave off subjugation by a monstrous dictatorship. Obviously, many, many people are against them: including many people in the Free World, including many people I know. I imagine it has been this way in every conflict, no matter how morally clear.

• An example of the evil that Putin’s forces inflict on Ukrainians:

• This article is headed “Russia held these Ukrainian teens captive. Their testimonies could be used against Putin.” All of this is extremely important.

• Another report, quite specific: “Missing Ukrainian child traced to Putin ally.”

• Here is the kind of thing that Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty keeps us informed about:

• The word “genocide” is tossed about, constantly. But here is something to reckon with: Routinely, on Russian state television, people call for the genocide of the Ukrainians — like they’re calling for better schools or more efficient mail delivery or something:

• Good for President Biden:

• Good for our ambassador in Kyiv:

• Good for the prime minister of Estonia:

• Here is Kateryna Yushchenko, the wife of Viktor Yushchenko, a former president of Ukraine:

I wrote about Mrs. Yushchenko last year: here. Let me quote from that piece:

Some 3.5 million people starved to death in the Holodomor, or Terror-Famine, which the Soviet government imposed on Ukraine in 1932 and 1933. Though Kateryna’s father survived the famine, his two younger sisters did not. Their names were Kateryna and Klava. Mrs. Yushchenko is named for them (“Klava” being her middle name).

• An accustomed headline: “Hungary’s Viktor Orbán threatens to blow up EU’s Ukraine policy.” (Article here.) Something related, and interesting: “In Western Ukraine, Ethnic Hungarians Refuse To Play ‘Hostage’ To Hungary’s EU Policy” (here).

• Unvarnished words from the foreign minister of Lithuania:

Balts such as Landsbergis are in no position to be naïve. They can’t afford the luxury, even if we Americans and others can.

• Our secretary of defense, in Ukraine:

I’m glad that the U.S. government backs the Ukrainians, and our own interest. But, in our democratic country, that is subject to change, of course — rapid and pitiless change.