Putin’s message to Russians

Vincent J. Curtis

13 Mar 22

In the run-up to the invasion of Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin argued that Ukrainians and Russians were really one people with a common language and a common heritage.  His “special military operations” in Ukraine were to ”denazify” Ukraine, and Russian troops would be welcomed with open arms.

What has happened to these “fellow Russians” in the course of the military operations?  Their resistance has been met with terror bombings of cities with artillery fire and rockets.  Civilians are targeted for killing as a means of breaking the will to resist.  Millions flee as refugees.  The mayors of captured towns are held as political prisoners instead of being allowed to flee.  The major cities of Kiev, Kharkov, and Mariupol are being reduced to rubble – all for the purpose of “denazifying” this place.

Putin’s message to Russians is this: it doesn’t matter that you’re Russian.  If you resist his will, you will be killed, imprisoned, and your homes and cities destroyed.  Law doesn’t matter.  Previous agreements don’t matter.  War crimes are laughable accusations.  What matters is his will.

What Putin is waging in Ukraine he could just as easily wage in Russia, by his own logic.

The question for Russians is on what can they rely that Putin won’t eventually turn his malignant gaze on them?  For how much longer can a dangerous killer like Putin be trusted with power?

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