Four years ago, I witnessed a mass exodus as Ukrainians fled the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion. Most planned to travel to Poland, Moldova or other nearby nations. But their true destination was a place of dark uncertainty, as it is for Iranians and Lebanese now fleeing their homelands.
As the Israel-U.S. bombardment intensifies and levels homes, schools and places of worship in a replay of the scorched-earth strategy that Netanyahu honed in Gaza, Iranians wonder if they will outlast the war. One mother asked The Guardian, “Who will be left in free Iran if we all get killed?”
As the Israel-U.S. bombardment intensifies and levels homes, schools and places of worship in a replay of the scorched-earth strategy that Netanyahu honed in Gaza, Iranians wonder if they will outlast the war. One mother asked The Guardian, “Who will be left in free Iran if we all get killed?”
Many outside Iran and some inside it argue that even the mere possibility of liberating the country from the regime justifies the loss of civilian life. But they should consider the moral calculus from another angle. Imagine the school bombing in southern Iran happening in Washington or Jerusalem.
Many outside Iran and some inside it argue that even the mere possibility of liberating the country from the regime justifies the loss of civilian life. But they should consider the moral calculus from another angle. Imagine the school bombing in southern Iran happening in Washington or Jerusalem.
Iranians forced to live inside an airtight system of tyranny already deserved our sympathy. They suffered more — far more — under Khamenei than any other people. Now the shadow of war has fallen upon them yet again, bringing more dread, more death.
Iranians forced to live inside an airtight system of tyranny already deserved our sympathy. They suffered more — far more — under Khamenei than any other people. Now the shadow of war has fallen upon them yet again, bringing more dread, more death.
Trump has urged the 92 million people of Iran to rise up and seize control of the country. A draft dodger whose mythical bone spurs allowed him to avoid serving in Vietnam, he wants average citizens trapped within war to summon a courage he will never know.
The end of Russia's invasion appears no closer than when the first missiles fell on Feb. 24, 2022. Still, as Ukrainians continue burying a new generation of victims of a revived Russian imperialism, they refuse to surrender the sovereignty and promise of their homeland.
We should all be so brave.
In July 2022, five months into Russia's invasion, there were fewer than 80 graves in Lychakiv Cemetery in the area dedicated to Ukraine's military victims from the Lviv region. By last fall, when this photo was taken, the number had surpassed 1,000. martinkuz.substack.com/p/four-years...
In July 2022, five months into Russia's invasion, there were fewer than 80 graves in Lychakiv Cemetery in the area dedicated to Ukraine's military victims from the Lviv region. By last fall, when this photo was taken, the number had surpassed 1,000. martinkuz.substack.com/p/four-years...
The end of Russia's invasion appears no closer than when the first missiles fell on Feb. 24, 2022. Still, as Ukrainians continue burying a new generation of victims of a revived Russian imperialism, they refuse to surrender the sovereignty and promise of their homeland.
We should all be so brave.
Cemeteries across Ukraine honor the sons and daughters, fathers and mothers, husbands and wives who have returned home for the last time. When war erupted, they enlisted with the military and volunteered with the territorial defense. All stood as guardians of liberty. All fell as victims of tyranny.
Cemeteries across Ukraine honor the sons and daughters, fathers and mothers, husbands and wives who have returned home for the last time. When war erupted, they enlisted with the military and volunteered with the territorial defense. All stood as guardians of liberty. All fell as victims of tyranny.
After four years, Ukrainians have adapted to the daily reality of random cruelty and to the numbing certainty of the rising casualty count. They have adapted to their aloneness in the struggle and to America abandoning them and Europe failing them. But "adapted" differs from "accepted."
After four years, Ukrainians have adapted to the daily reality of random cruelty and to the numbing certainty of the rising casualty count. They have adapted to their aloneness in the struggle and to America abandoning them and Europe failing them. But "adapted" differs from "accepted."
Ukrainians have adapted to the daily reality of random cruelty and to the numbing certainty of the rising casualty count. They have adapted to their aloneness in the struggle and to America abandoning them and Europe failing them.
The war that Russia launched against Ukraine four years ago today has killed upward of 140,000 Ukrainian troops. The number signifies enormous loss without revealing the true dimensions — both smaller and larger — of who and what the country has lost.
My sincere thanks, Patty.
I’m the daughter/mother/sister of soldiers. I know how ppl rally, then forget. Don’t turn away from Ukraine. They are fighting for their existence. They are showing US how this is done & it’s a lesson we had better learn.
open.substack.com/pub/martinku...
The war that Russia launched against Ukraine four years ago today has killed upward of 140,000 Ukrainian troops. The number signifies enormous loss without revealing the true dimensions — both smaller and larger — of who and what the country has lost.
After the IOC banned Ukrainian athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych from the Games, he explained on social media his refusal to compromise. In one sentence, he exposed the hollowness of Olympic pageantry and the IOC’s “neutral” ethos that further punishes war's victims: “This is the price of our dignity.”
Heavy artillery fire on Kyiv’s outskirts jolted me awake on Feb. 24, 2022. Since then, nearly all of my published writing has focused on Ukraine, including my newsletter, which debuted two years ago earlier this week. I’m deeply grateful to those of you who have helped make my coverage possible.
Heavy artillery fire on Kyiv’s outskirts jolted me awake on Feb. 24, 2022. Since then, nearly all of my published writing has focused on Ukraine, including my newsletter, which debuted two years ago earlier this week. I’m deeply grateful to those of you who have helped make my coverage possible.
No disrespect to the athletes that participate, but don’t get me started on the Olympics. Ugh. I don’t even watch them. Stuff like this is why. Write on, Martin. Right on. ⬇️⬇️⬇️
After the IOC banned Ukrainian athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych from the Games, he explained on social media his refusal to compromise. In one sentence, he exposed the hollowness of Olympic pageantry and the IOC’s “neutral” ethos that further punishes war's victims: “This is the price of our dignity.”
12yrs ago, in the heart of Kyiv, protesters with wooden shields and construction helmets stood against armed militias that massacred them in broad daylight.
Their sacrifice saved our democracy. The fallen are remembered forever as the Heavenly Hundred.
Glory to the Heroes.
The IOC purports to impose “strict eligibility conditions” to weed out Russian athletes who support the war. A recent BBC investigation found that some of the men and women approved to compete in Italy appear in violation of the criteria. Perhaps “strict” means something else in IOC speak.
The IOC purports to impose “strict eligibility conditions” to weed out Russian athletes who support the war. A recent BBC investigation found that some of the men and women approved to compete in Italy appear in violation of the criteria. Perhaps “strict” means something else in IOC speak.
"The expulsion of Heraskevych ensures that, as in 1980, the lasting memory of the 2026 Games will be absence."
Great article.
