Today is Ukraine’s independence day. The country declared independence on August 24, 1991. Today also marks six months since Russia launched its all-out assault on Ukraine. That assault aims to blot out Ukraine’s independence.
It’s amazing that the country is still standing, after six months. This is a testament to the courage and determination of Ukrainians. Also, the support of the United States has been crucial.
Americans can be proud of this support. We are standing by a people under assault, a people fighting off invasion, murder, and subjugation, a people fighting for its very right to exist.
Obviously, there are pro-Putin and anti-Ukraine elements in our country. There is also a significant camp of anti-anti-Putinists. But, on the whole, Americans seem to be understanding the Ukrainian struggle, and the relevance of that struggle to American interests, as well as American values. On the whole, they have been willing to help Ukraine.
And, without this help — Ukraine is probably a goner.
• Here is a report from Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty:
Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, and several other big cities have banned public celebrations amid warnings that Russia would use the occasion to strike civilian and government infrastructure.
The “occasion” is Independence Day. Can we Americans imagine not being able to celebrate our independence day, because of attacks by an invader? The Ukrainians are in a horrific position, and they are doing all they can — with incredible bravery.
(For the report I have quoted from, go here.)
• The U.S. ambassador, Bridget A. Brink, had a message for Ukraine:
The stories of heroism and bravery of the many Ukrainians I have met since my arrival inspire me. Today, on your National Day, I stand in awe of your steadfast defense of our shared values. The United States will stand together with you for as long as it takes.
“For as long as it takes.” But in America, we have changes of administration, and that can make a big difference. You never know.
• I was struck by the word “dumping.” Here is Chip Roy, a Republican congressman from Texas, in a tweet:
6 months ago began a “3 day war” in #Ukraine. What is America’s role & strategy besides dumping tens of billions of dollars while Congressional leaders say “we’re at war” despite nary a vote to declare such a war…?
Some say “dumping.” You could also say that our aid has enabled Ukraine to stay alive (despite the country’s many dead). Should the United States declare war? On Russia? I don’t know anyone who thinks so.
But if two nations are at war, and your nation is backing one — are you, in effect, at war with the other? That is an ancient and interesting question.
• Earlier this year, Heritage Action said, “Ukraine Aid Package Puts America Last.” I don’t know that this attitude, this disposition, is the dominant one in Republican politics. But I believe the trend is that way.
• Three weeks ago, the U.S. Senate approved the accession of Finland and Sweden to NATO. The vote was 95 to 1. Who was the one? Josh Hawley, the Republican from Missouri. “What I am arguing for is the return to a classic nationalist approach to foreign policy,” he said.
Will his view gain strength on the right, and therefore in the country? I would not bet against it.
Hawley was first, you remember, in saying he would vote against the certification of the 2020 presidential election. Then others followed (scrambling to keep up?). Hawley was the lone vote when it came to Finland and Sweden. But I would not bet on his being the lone vote on this kind of thing in the future.
• Hanna Liubakova, the Belarusian journalist (in exile), noted something about Kherson. Kherson is a city in southern Ukraine. At the entrance, there is a sculpture, spelling out the name of the city. The sculpture has now been painted in the colors of the Russian flag.
Go here.
• Many Ukrainians have had their limbs blown off, in Russian attacks. Olena Zelenska, the wife of the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, highlighted one case: that of a little girl named “Yana.” Yana is now walking on artificial legs.
Go here.
And here is a story from RFE/RL: “Horseback riding is helping Ukrainian amputees’ path to recovery — both mentally and physically.”
• The New York Times had a report headed “What Russians See in the News.” That is so very important: what Russians see in the news. As you know, there are no independent media in Russia; the Kremlin shut them all down at the end of last year and the beginning of this year.
• In the media at large — media throughout the world — there are endless stories of Russian depravity in Ukraine. Look up Bucha, for example. Look up rape. But examples of courage and decency demonstrated by individual Russians are inspiring.
RFE/RL told of a businessman in a village near St. Petersburg: Dmitry Skurikhin. He “covered his store with the names of Ukrainian cities that have been bombed by the Russian forces,” said RFE/RL. Skurikhin deplores these bombings. “Now he could face up to five years in prison.”
Here is what Skurikhin himself said: “Those are our soldiers, our troops, fighting there. They’re not Martians. We’re responsible for their actions.”
What a man. My God, what a man.
• The Washington Post published the journal of a Russian soldier — a paratrooper, Pavel Filatyev. Extraordinary.
“We did not have the moral right to attack another country, especially the people closest to us,” he says. He also says, “The main enemy of all Russians and Ukrainians is propaganda, which just further fuels hatred in people.”
• Another report, from RFE/RL:
Russian politician Yevgeny Roizman, known for his criticism of the Kremlin and, more recently, of the military campaign in Ukraine, has been detained by authorities.
I bet. The report continues,
Roizman, a former mayor of the city of Yekaterinburg, is being investigated for “discrediting the Russian Army,” Yekaterinburg security services said, an offense for which he could face up to five years in prison.
• A “human-interest story”? This is from Inna Varenytsia, of the Associated Press: “On Ukraine’s front line, a fight to save premature babies.”
• I recommend clearing some time — it will take some time — to read this report, by Greg Miller and Catherine Belton of the Washington Post. “Russia’s spies misread Ukraine and misled Kremlin as war loomed.” It is a reportorial tour de force. It is highly instructive. You’ve heard of “the first draft of history”? This is a second or possibly a third.
• Again, today is Ukraine’s independence day. If it lived to see another — wouldn’t that be something?