Putin’s War in Ukraine

Today (March 5) is the 12th day of Putin's assault on Ukraine. Or the 10th. I honestly lost count and these days are all long gray dread anyway. But March 5 is also the date of Stalin's death. So I felt compelled to write today.

I am in an accelerated grief cycle. Because I knew what Putin was and have been warning about what he was capable of, I zipped through the stage of denial by writing my last Trump-Putin dialogue. I went straight into anger and bargaining, begging the Universe to keep my friends in Ukraine safe. They need my prayers as the men are in Kyiv defense line and distributing aid through Red Cross and women bake bread, cook soups, and save pets while sheltering in basements and subway from the air raids. Urban warfare in the 21st century, how surreal is that?

I forbid myself from sliding into depression and will never accept this war. The depression management has been feasible so far: after all, I'm still here, my family is safe and I still have a job. My situation is immeasurably better than that of my Ukrainian friends and family. I don't sleep well these days, waking up in the middle of the night, frantically scrolling through the latest news and sighing with relief when I learn that Kyiv and Kharkiv are still standing. I'm messaging with everyone I know there, asking them how I can help them. They always thank for asking, stay optimistic, and ask to keep the pressure. Keep telling the world what is going on.

So I do what I can. I sign petitions and write to and call our legislators demanding support and aid packages for Ukraine. I drive to Cleveland and Pittsburgh for rallies and vigils for Ukraine, as both cities are equally distant from me, only about 1.5-hour drive one way. When I am there, I feel incredible unity, dignity, and generosity of Ukrainians in the US who are doing everything they can to help their country. I also donate money whenever I can, to churches and non-profits that collect donations here for Ukraine. I also spread the message through writing and interviews to local media. I'd talk to anyone who'd listen and want to know more about what is going on.

Most people, especially pragmatic Americans, often ask me when and how this war will end. I answer that I honestly don't know. There are several factors that may affect the course of events. In theory, in any authoritarian regime where the leader is paranoid, thinks everyone is against him, and is cornered in a losing war (and the fact that Putin is losing now is pretty obvious even to his fanboy Tucker Carlson), there are three possible outcomes: (1) suicide, (2) internal coup or murder by snuffbox (see death of Paul I), (3) mass murder.

Putin is a paranoid coward, so no suicide for him. He also made sure that he is surrounded by the people he raised from the same KGB/oligarchic mafia swamp he himself came from, so the second option is highly unlikely. He is constantly threatening the third option reminding the world that he has nuclear weapons but thankfully he is not the only one making that decision in Russia. Although of course he would have liked to kill as many Ukrainians as he could.

So the more realistic scenario is that Putin will drag out this war. For as long as possible. His losses in Ukraine are enormous and demoralization among the troops is already high but he will continue shelling Kyiv and Kharkiv, hoping to bleed Ukraine out and threatening to use nukes. Putin will also continue to sing the victory songs to his own population as he completely shut down all alternative (not even oppositional) media and fully controls the propaganda messages. Russians will not rise up as about 80% of them believe Ukraine is a fascist state and Russia is in a righteous genocide-preventing war to protect Donbass.

What is important for those who believe in peace and democracy is not to despair and continue supporting Ukraine in every way possible. Here are some of the ways that the world discovered and created for the peaceful resistance and aid to Ukraine just this week:

- donating money to support refugees and war victims through International Red Cross, UNHCR, UNICEF, CARE, and Ukrainian non-profits;

- booking Airbnb stays in Kyiv and Kharkiv, which puts money in Ukrainians' pockets immediately and Airbnb won't even charge you the service fees;

- buying digital art from Ukrainian artists on Etsy. You can buy the analogue art as well but expect delays in shipping.

I have to give a special shout-out to the Anonymous collective that constantly and persistently hacks into Russian government and military websites. They do it creatively and with a sense of humor. Follow their accounts on Twitter and #OpRussia to learn more.

Spread the message as far and wide as you can, continue pressing decision-makers to provide help to Ukrainians. Pray for Ukraine. Stand with Ukraine.