Today is the 42nd day of Ukraine’s heroic defense against the Russian invasion. The world is already seeing the atrocities committed by the Russian army on the territory of Ukraine, war crimes and, at the same time, the will of Ukrainians to victory and peace.
From the very beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Putin said that the goal of the so-called “special military operation” was to “denationalize”, “demilitarize” and “neutralize” Ukraine. And he hoped for a blitzkrieg, which should allow to occupy Ukraine in 2-3 days. Moscow has even developed models of state military awards “for the capture of Kyiv (Lviv) …”.
However, the rhetoric of official Moscow has changed as a result of a series of defeats in Ukraine – now their focus is on the “liberation of Donbass.” But what about “denazification”?
A few days ago, the author’s column by Timofey Sergeytsev “What Russia should do with Ukraine” was published on the website of the state agency RIA Novosti. In it, the author describes how, in his opinion, it is necessary to “denazify” the neighboring country. Here are just a few quotes from this “work”: “Apart from the top, a large part of the people who are passive Nazis are guilty. They supported and indulged the Nazi government. A just punishment of this part of the population is possible only as an inevitable burden of just war.” “Ukrainism – an artificial anti-Russian construction”, “Tragedies and dramas of wartime benefit peoples who have been tempted and fascinated by the role of Russia’s enemy”.
This article opens the curtain on Putin’s true interests in Ukraine. However, this is only part of a big puzzle called “Putinism”.
So what does Putin really want in Ukraine? We will find out in this issue.
Speakers:
- Vitaliy Portnikov, Ukrainian journalist and publicist
- Ivanna Klympush-Tsyntsadze, Ukrainian MP
- Maksym Vikhrov, journalist, editor of “Ukrainian Week” magazine
- Oleksandr Kodola, mayor of Nizhyn, Chernihiv Oblast
- Iurii Bova, mayor Trostianets, Sumy Oblast
UKRAINE IN FLAMES project is created by Ukraine Crisis Media Center, Ukrainian Catholic University’s analitical center and NGO “Euroatlantic Course”. We are aiming at searching a loud support for Ukraine in the war started by Russia on the 24th of February 2022.
If you want to support Ukraine against Russian aggression, check the link with recommendations by Ukraine Crisis Media Center – https://uacrisis.org/en/help-ukraine.
NGO Euroatlantic Course collects donations to support Ukrainian Army and civilians – https://eac.org.ua/en/main-page/.