Bucha 2022: Russia: Perpetrator
of crimes against humanity

Russia: Perpetrator of Crimes against Humanity

Crimes against humanity – they’re not just more meaningless malevolent appellations or accusations.

According to recognized sources, crimes against humanity represent a higher degree of criminality, even higher than a war crime.

Cornell Law School, among others pointed out that “Crimes against humanity are specific crimes committed in the context of a large-scale attack targeting civilians, regardless of their nationality. These crimes include the most egregious violations of human dignity, especially those directed towards civilian populations. Crimes against humanity have often been committed as part of state policies, but they can also be perpetrated by non-state armed groups or paramilitary forces.”

The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) notes that crimes against humanity mean any of the following acts when committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against any civilian population, with knowledge of the attack:

• Murder;

• Extermination;

• Enslavement;

• Deportation or forcible transfer of population;

• Imprisonment or other severe deprivation of physical liberty in violation of fundamental rules of international law;

• Torture;

• Rape, sexual slavery, enforced prostitution, forced pregnancy, enforced sterilization, or any other form of sexual violence of comparable gravity;

• Persecution against any identifiable group or collectivity on political, racial, national, ethnic, cultural, religious, gender as defined in paragraph 3, or other grounds that are universally recognized as impermissible under international law, in connection with any act referred to in this paragraph or any crime within the jurisdiction of the Court;

• Enforced disappearance of persons;

• The crime of apartheid;

• Other inhumane acts of a similar character intentionally causing great suffering, or serious injury to body or to mental or physical health.

The ICC explained that an attack is “directed against any civilian population’ means a course of conduct involving the multiple commission of acts referred to in paragraph 1 against any civilian population, pursuant to or in furtherance of a State or organizational policy to commit such attack.”

The United States has accepted these parameters and raised the stakes against russia. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated today “I have determined that members of russia’s forces and other russian officials have committed crimes against humanity in Ukraine. Members of russia’s forces have committed execution-style killings of Ukrainian men, women, and children; torture of civilians in detention through beatings, electrocution, and mock executions; rape; and, alongside other russian officials, have deported hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian civilians to russia, including children who have been forcibly separated from their families. These acts are not random or spontaneous; they are part of the kremlin’s widespread and systematic attack against Ukraine’s civilian population.”

Noting that crimes against humanity represent the most egregious crimes, Blinken pointed out that “Today’s determination underlines staggering extent of the human suffering inflicted by moscow on the Ukrainian civilian population. This determination also reflects the deep commitment of the United States to holding members of russia’s forces and other russian officials accountable for their atrocities against the people of Ukraine.”

Blinken said there can be no impunity for these crimes and all perpetrators – hopefully that means that all russian cutthroats in uniforms from the lowly, baby-faced front-line criminal to generals and politicians – will be held accountable. He pledged that the United States will pursue justice for Ukrainian people “for as long as it takes.”

Speaking at the Munich Security Conference today, Vice President Kamala Harris insisted that “justice must be served” to the perpetrators. She said the international community has both a moral and a strategic interest in pursuing those crimes, pointing to a danger of other authoritarian governments taking advantage if international rules are undermined.

“russian forces have pursued a widespread and systemic attack against a civilian population — gruesome acts of murder, torture, rape, and deportation,” Harris said. She also cited “execution-style killings, beatings, and electrocution.”

Harris also pointed to the attack in mid-March on a theater in the strategic port city of Mariupol where civilians had been sheltering, which killed hundreds, and to the images of civilians’ bodies left on the streets of Bucha after the russian pullback from the Kyiv several weeks after russia invaded Ukraine.

“In the case of russia’s actions in Ukraine, we have examined the evidence, we know the legal standards, and there is no doubt,” she said. “These are crimes against humanity.”

“No nation is safe in a world where one country can violate the sovereignty and territorial integrity of another, where crimes against humanity are committed with impunity, where a country with imperialist ambitions can go unchecked,” Harris added.

The evidence about russian war crimes and crimes against humanity are incontrovertible. For all intents and purposes, the free world is on the same page about moscow’s global criminal behavior.

The UN General Assembly on October 12 passed a historic resolution by an overwhelming majority of member-states calling on countries not to recognize the four regions of Ukraine which Russia has seized, following the “forcerendums” and demanding that Moscow reverse course on its “attempted illegal annexation.”

Earlier, the UN General Assembly labeled russia an aggressor and occupant of Crimea and called for russians to leave that Ukrainian territory.

The irony of this is that Nazi Germany and Hitler, also universally recognized perpetrators of war crimes and crimes against humanity, were not offered the same indulgences as russia and putin as they wage the latest russia-Ukraine War of 2014-2023. They were eliminated quickly compared with their detested progenies.

Nota bene In a follow up to the US accusation against russia of crimes against humanity in Ukraine, the New York Daily News on Sunday, February 19, pointed out that in the USA, the designation does not go far enough.

“…It was only last month that the US closed a loophole in the 1996 War Crimes Act. Beforehand, only if the victim or perpetrator of a war crime was a U.S. person could there be a prosecution. By voice votes in both chambers, Congress, led by Rep. Jerry Nadler, got rid of the U.S. person limitation and President Biden signed the new Justice for Victims of War Crimes Act last month.

“So a Russian who commits war crimes in Ukraine can now be prosecuted by the Department of Justice. But another Russian who committed what could far worse crimes against humanity remains untouchable. Harris and Blinken are right about crimes against humanity. Now make that illegal under American law.”

Yale Study Finds russians Kidnapped 6,000 Ukrainian Children

Exodus 21:16 Kidnappers must be put to death, whether they are caught in possession of their victims or have already sold them as slaves.

Deuteronomy 24:7 If someone is caught kidnapping a fellow Israelite and treating or selling them as a slave, the kidnapper must die. You must purge the evil from among you.

Kidnapping, by its violent nature, has been condemned by many civilizations throughout history. It is considered one of the saddest crimes since the victim is seized without warning and dragged to a location far away from his home, family and community and forced to submit to the whims of his or her captors. This is probably the most severe and despicable form of stealing. As the first two verses of this blog show, in the Old Testament this was punishable by death.

In America this crime is punishable by life in prison and sometimes even death. Kidnapping and murder shows you how evil man truly can be. It is completely disobeying the second greatest commandment: Love your neighbor as yourself; as well as the seventh commandment: Thou shalt not steal.

This week the news media reported that russia has held at least 6,000 Ukrainian children – likely many more - in sites in russian-held Crimea and russia whose primary purpose appears to be political re-education, according to a U.S.-backed report.

The report said Yale University School of Public Health researchers had identified at least 43 camps and other facilities where Ukrainian children have been held that were part of a "large-scale systematic network" operated by Moscow since its February 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

The children included those with parents or clear familial guardianship, those russia deemed orphans, others who were in the care of Ukrainian state institutions before the invasion and those whose custody was unclear or uncertain due to the war, the report said.

“The primary purpose of the camp facilities we’ve identified appears to be political re-education,” Nathaniel Raymond, one of the researchers, said in a briefing to reporters.

This crime mimics that of Nazi Germany, which during World War II also kidnapped children and transported them to re-education camps.

Some of the children were moved through the system and adopted by russian families, or moved into foster care in russia, the report said.

The youngest child identified in the russian program was just four months old, and some camps were giving military training to children as young as 14, Raymond said, adding that researchers had not found evidence those children were later deployed in combat.

Since the latest russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, russians have made it a point to kill or injure as many Ukrainian children and women as they could in order to deplete the Ukrainian genetic foundation. In addition to kidnappings, the russian cutthroats also killed and raped children and women.

The system of camps and the adoption by russian families of Ukrainian children taken from their homeland “appears to be authorized and coordinated at the highest levels of Russia’s government,” the report said, beginning with President Vladimir Putin and extending to local officials.

The key findings of the Yale report are:

• More than 6,000 children in russia’s custody: Yale Humanitarian Research Lab has collected information about at least 6,000 children from Ukraine ages four months to 17 years who have been held at camps and other facilities since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Arrivals to these facilities began in February 2022; the most recent transfers occurred in January 2023. The total number of children is not known and is likely significantly higher than 6,000.

• At least 43 facilities in network: The network spans at least 43 facilities identified by Yale HRL, 41 of which are pre-existing summer camps in Russia-occupied Crimea and russia. Among the camps, 12 are clustered around the Black Sea, 7 are in occupied Crimea, and 10 are clustered around the cities of Moscow, Kazan, and Yekaterinburg. Eleven of the camps are located over 500 miles from Ukraine’s border with russia, including two camps in Siberia and one in russia’s Far East. The exact number of facilities is likely significantly higher than the 43 identified in this report. Yale HRL identified two facilities associated with the deportation of orphans: a psychiatric hospital, and a family center.

• Network of children’s facilities stretches from russia-occupied Crimea to russia’s eastern coast: The furthest camp this investigation identifies is in Magadan oblast in russia’s Far East near the Pacific Ocean, approximately 3,900 miles from Ukraine’s border with the russian Federation. The camp in Magadan is roughly three times closer to the United States than it is to the border of Ukraine.

• Primary purpose of the camps appears to be political re-education: At least 32 (78%) of the camps identified by Yale HRL appear engaged in systematic re-education efforts that expose children from Ukraine to russia-centric academic, cultural, patriotic, and/or military education. Multiple camps endorsed by the russian Federation are advertised as “integration programs”, with the apparent goal of integrating children from Ukraine into the russian government’s vision of national culture, history, and society.

• Children from two of the camps have been placed with foster families in russia: Yale HRL identified at least two camps that hosted children alleged to be orphans who were later placed with foster families in russia. Twenty children from these camps were reported to have been placed with families in moscow oblast and enrolled in local schools there.

• Consent is collected under duress and routinely violated: Consent gathered from parents for their child to attend a camp included signing over power of attorney in some cases, including to an unnamed agent. Other parents allege that the specific elements of the consent they gave were violated, such as the term of stay and procedures for reuniting with their children. Still other parents allegedly refused to allow their children to go to camps, but were ignored by camp organizers who enrolled the children in camps regardless. In many cases, the ability of parents to provide meaningful consent may be considered doubtful, as the conditions of war and implicit threat from occupying forces represent conditions of duress.

• Children’s returns from at least four camps have been suspended: In approximately 10% of camps identified by Yale HRL, children’s return to Ukraine was allegedly suspended. At two camps, Artek and Medvezhonok, children’s returns were suspended indefinitely, according to parents. Medvezhonok is one of the largest camps identified, at one point hosting at least 300 children from Ukraine. Officials there originally told the children’s parents they would return at the end of summer, but later rescinded the date of return. Hundreds of children from Ukraine from at least two other camps, Luchistyi and Orlyonok, have been or are being held past their scheduled date of return; Yale HRL has been unable to identify how many of these children have been reunited with their parents. Parents also described being unable to get information about their child’s status or whereabouts after their return has been suspended. It is unknown how many of Ukraine’s children russia currently holds and how many have been released to their families.

• All levels of russia’s government are involved: This operation is centrally coordinated by russia’s federal government and involves every level of government. Yale HRL has identified several dozen federal, regional, and local figures directly engaged in operating and politically justifying the program. Activities of officials allegedly implicated in the operation include logistical coordination (i.e., transporting children), raising funds, collecting supplies, direct camp management, and promoting the program within russia and occupied areas of Ukraine. At least 12 of these individuals are not on U.S. and/or international sanction lists at the time of this report.

Another russian crime against Ukraine and humanity. Another act of genocide.

Semper Fi! Ukrainian Marines

Marines, leathernecks! You just have to love them regardless if they’re American or Ukrainian.

Lt. Gen. Yuriy Sodol, the commander of the Ukrainian marines, has called on the russian invaders to flee or surrender to the Ukrainian defenders, according to Pravda.com.ua, citing the Defense Ministry of Ukraine.

Sodol said: “I will separately address the russian military: before it’s too late, run, return to your ‘Marushkas’ (referring to russian women by the diminutive for Mary) or surrender, otherwise it’s your fate is being fertilizer on someone else’s land; a body bag or disability awaits you, this is your ‘happy’ future. Unlike you, we know what we are fighting for, we are united, we are one.”

Sodol declared that the goal of Ukrainian defenders is to liberate all territories of Ukraine: “We will do everything so that the blue-yellow flag flies again in all cities of Donbas and Crimea.”

He also said that the occupiers are gathering forces and stockpiling reserves: “This means that soon thousands of newly drafted Russians will undergo ‘reverse’ mobilization.”

“Kremlin terrorists have not abandoned their bloody plans, they do not count losses because people are merely consumables for them. For their part, the Ukrainian marines will continue to do what they do best – destroy the enemy: methodically, systematically, daily.”

Semper fi! Three cheers! Слава морпіхам!

Lublin Triangle Guarantor of Security for X-Captive Nations

The historic alliance known as the Lublin Triangle with its Lublin Brigade, first cited here on July 23, 2020, and rarely written about elsewhere, is being fleshed out by Ukraine, Poland and Lithuania with mutually beneficial, premeditated substance, dynamic principles, reciprocal support, political vision and understanding of current threats by russia.

Indeed, motivated by russia’s 11-month war against Ukraine that began nine years ago and has lasted since 1169 when the muscovite ruler Andrey Bogoliubskiy sacked Kyiv, the presidents of the three neighboring former captive nations of russian subjugation have formalized and strengthened their relations and entered a new strategic phase of their foreign affairs – albeit 78 years too late.

For the nations that declared their independence from russia and escaped its centuries-long bondage such a regional alliance is a godsend and perhaps their only means of self-preservation and sovereignty. Not surprising then is the observation by Polish Prime Minister Morawiecki, who recently said “If Germany does not agree to the supply of Leopard 2, we will create a smaller coalition of states that are ready to share tanks with Ukraine.” With NATO straddling the fence regarding high-powered military equipment for Ukraine, such a smaller coalition, a regional “NATO,” comes at the right moment. Fortunately, Germany yielded to its neighbors’ pressure but the issue demonstrated the political power of a small coalition of states that understands the dangers of russia and are willing to stand up to it.

On August 2, 2020, I had cited an interview with Pavlo Klimkin, when he was minister of foreign affairs of Ukraine, who advocated the creation of such a necessary and far-reaching bloc. Outraged by the Russian invasion of his homeland, Klimkin suggested soon after President Petro Poroshenko’s visit to Canada and the United States the creation of a Coalition of Freedom to defend democracy and Western values in a troubled world.

“It is about security for everyone,” Klimkin had said during an exclusive Fox News interview on the eve of the 71st UN General Assembly in 2016. “If someone in this interchangeable and intertwined world cannot feel secure, how can US citizens here feel secure?”

Klimkin explained that Ukraine is confronting – and still is – a threat any nation can face, adding “we need a network of security.” His Coalition of Freedom would consist of “countries which are committed to freedom, to democratic values, where we are not talking about spheres of influence, but the values and real interests of democratic countries.”

Indeed, despite the passing of a few years but with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine destroying the country and killing its people, Klimkin’s theme as well as the Lublin Triangle fit today’s dangerous global agenda, especially the one faced by the former captive nations that exist russia’s shadow.

Presidents of Poland, Andrzej Duda, Lithuania, Gitanas Nauseda, Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, held a meeting in Lviv, on January 11, where they signed a joint statement of the presidents of the Lublin Triangle.

“The Presidents of Poland, Andrzej Duda, Lithuania, Gitanas Nauseda, Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. A joint statement of the presidents of the Lublin Triangle has been signed in Lviv today,” the Office of the President of Poland said on Twitter.

The joint declaration signed by the presidents of Ukraine, Lithuania, and Poland following the second summit of the Lublin Triangle supports holding the Global Peace Formula Summit, creating a special international tribunal to prosecute russia, giving Ukraine EU and NATO membership prospects, and continuing security assistance to Ukrainians. The task and goal of helping Ukraine in its war with russia was placed high on the list of the agreement’s mission.

“The Joint Declaration is the result of the negotiations. It reflects the key political, humanitarian and other conclusions of today's meeting,” Zelenskyy said.

According to the Zelenskyy’s Office, the Joint Declaration confirms the centuries-old historical ties between Ukraine, Lithuania, and Poland, as well as defines the priority areas of cooperation of the Lublin Triangle, in particular in the framework of the strategic course of our country to acquire full membership in the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

The document reaffirms the intention of Lithuania and Poland to continue providing powerful military, technical, defense, humanitarian and other support to Ukraine.

The Joint Declaration highlights support for convening the Global Peace Formula Summit to consolidate international support for the peace plan presented by President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The support for the establishment of a special international tribunal to prosecute the Russian Federation for the crime of aggression against Ukraine is confirmed.

The document praises the expansion of the Black Sea Grain Initiative to other seaports of Ukraine and the importance of continuing the Grain from Ukraine program to strengthen global food security.

“The signing of the Joint Declaration at the level of the Presidents of Ukraine, Lithuania, and Poland enshrines the support of the Lithuanian and Polish parties for the prospect of Ukraine's membership in the EU and NATO as soon as the conditions allow,” the President’s Office informed.

The Polish President emphasized that since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of russia, his country has provided humanitarian aid and weapons to Ukraine to repel the Russian invasion.

“We know very well what russian occupation is, because for many years we have not had our own statehood because of Russia. We were under russian occupation several times, so we will continue to support Ukraine and provide the necessary assistance in the future. We will continue to supply weapons to Ukraine,” Duda said.

He noted that russia intends to continue the war and will systematically take measures to destroy Ukraine - destroy infrastructure and cities. Therefore, russia must be stopped.

“In order for the Armed Forces to effectively defend Ukraine, they need modern weapons. And these weapons must be transferred to Ukraine,” Duda noted.

In his turn, Gitanas Nausėda stressed that this war must end with the victory of Ukraine and the aggressor must be held accountable.

“We are doing everything possible to support Ukraine, particularly in the military sphere,” the President of Lithuania said.

Nausėda pointed that Lithuania provides military and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine in various formats, in particular by transferring generators and organizing projects in support of Ukraine on its territory. Among other things, he mentioned the work of the specially opened Ukrainian Center in Vilnius.

Nausėda has also confirmed that his country and Poland supported Ukraine on the way to the EU candidate status and expressed confidence that the EU would soon have an opportunity to discuss the launch of negotiations on the full-fledged membership of Ukraine at the level of the European Council.

Nausėda touched upon the issue of security guarantees for Ukraine from NATO, which could be provided, in particular, at the next summit, to make Ukraine feel safer and feel the support of the Alliance.

“Today we must admit that the war continues and the territorial integrity of Ukraine is violated. First, it is necessary to restore the territorial integrity of Ukraine. However, Ukraine's membership in NATO cannot be taken off the agenda. We must agree on the algorithms and formulas to be used in order to move further in this aspect,” the President of Lithuania concluded.

Separately, Zelenskyy said, “Poland has decided to provide tanks for Ukraine - I am grateful for this. I thank President Duda, the Government of Poland, all our Polish friends. Lithuania provides anti-aircraft systems to our country - the weapons we need to protect ourselves from Iranian drones - to protect our energy sector. I thank Gitanas for another demonstration of unwavering and principled support for Ukraine, which began even before February 24 and will continue until our victory.

“Today, I heard this confidence once again from both Andrzej and Gitanas - we will go all the way together to restore security of Ukraine and the whole of Europe, to restore our territorial integrity, to restore peace. Russian aggression must fail - and it will.”

As for the russian war against Ukraine, Zelenskyy noted in an address to the nation that the three presidents “also talked about the situation on the battlefield. In particular, that Russian aggression will be depleted only when Russian ambitions have no other alternative except for the defeat. All Russian ambitions - on the front, in politics, in economy, in the legal sphere.”

Earlier, on December 6, 2022, three non-governmental organizations from Lithuania, Poland, and Ukraine, namely the Civic Resilience Initiative, Kosciuszko Institute and Detector Media, presented in Brussels during the EU – Ukraine Forum on Countering Disinformation a joint in-depth report highlighting the challenges emanating from russian disinformation and propaganda activities in the Lublin Triangle countries.

Underscoring the presence of russian propaganda and disinformation that threatens the existence of the three states, the NGO representatives made the following recommendations:

• Raising awareness, which is the cornerstone of resilience to russian malign information campaigns;

• Nominating a critical coordinating body responsible for strategic communication both in the country and abroad;

• Developing or strengthening a comprehensive real-time monitoring system;

• Engaging in practice and know-how sharing with other countries and partners that are highly exposed to russian disinformation;

• Encouraging international and multilateral political dialogue on uniting efforts to combat disinformation;

• Implying a transparent and measurable evaluation system to track the effectiveness of the efforts to build resilience to disinformation.

On November 26, 2022, a meeting of the prime ministers of the member states of the Lublin Triangle - Ukraine, Lithuania and Poland – was held in Kyiv, according to the results of which prime ministers, among other points:

Emphasized the significant role of the Lublin Triangle in consolidating international support for Ukraine in countering russia’s armed aggression;

Confirmed their readiness to continue active cooperation in restoring the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders;

Condemned systemic war crimes committed by Russia's forces in regions of Ukraine, including deliberate, indiscriminate, and disproportionate attacks against the civilian population and elements of the civilian infrastructure;

Condemned the forced deportation by the Russian occupiers of thousands of Ukrainian citizens, including children, from the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine to russia;

Such a pact existed among the captive nations during World War II in order to fight soviet russian aggression.

The Anti-Bolshevik Bloc of Nations (ABN) was a coordinating center for anti-Communist émigré political organizations from Soviet and other socialist countries. The ABN attributes its existence and its ideological foundations to an underground conference of representatives of non-Russian peoples that took place on November 21-22, 1943, near Zhytomyr, Ukraine, on the initiative of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists. The attendees adopted a platform of joint revolutionary struggle against Russian communism. The goal of the ABN was the dissolution of the Soviet Union into national states. Given an organizational structure in Munich in 1946, the ABN extended its scope of activity to include the Eastern European emigration.

The following organizations were members of the ABN from its inception or for varying periods of time: “Free Armenia” Committee, Bulgarian National Front, Belorussian Central Council, Cossack National Liberation Movement, Croatian National Liberation Movement, Czech Movement for Freedom (Za Svobodu), Czech National Committee, Estonian Liberation Movement, Union of the Estonian Fighters for Freedom, Georgian National Organization, Hungarian Liberation Movement, Hungarian Mindszenty Movement, Latvian Association for the Struggle against Communism, Lithuanian Rebirth Movement, Slovak Liberation Committee, National Turkestanian Unity Committee, United Hetman Organization, and the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (Bandera faction).

The establishment of the Lublin Triangle clearly demonstrates the three countries’ concern regarding the continuing threat to their independence and sovereignty posed by russia. Furthermore they are publicly committed to safeguarding their freedom against russian aggression and subjugation. Indeed, this is a step in the right direction – the direction of independence, sovereignty and self-determination of the former captive nations.

To be sure, if NATO and the free world are not prepared to actively undertake this task, then the endangered countries are willing and able to do so by themselves.

US and Allied Tanks are heading to Ukraine
Ukraine’s allies have finally understood the reason why Ukraine must defeat russia and how it will accomplish that mission.
The Biden Administration announced on Wednesday, January 25, that it will send 31 of its premier battle tanks to Ukraine, following agreement with Germany to deliver scores of its Leopard 2 tanks from across Europe. The decisions end months of debate among Western allies and pave the way for a major shift in the balance of power on the Ukrainian battlefield.
President Biden said after morning calls with European leaders that the decisions belied russian President Vladimir putin’s belief that the West would eventually tire of its commitment to Ukraine and “break up” their coalition. On the contrary, they are in lockstep toward the single goal of defeating Russia. Even naysayers like Henry Kissinger has accepted this positive outcome for Ukraine.
“We are fully, totally and completely united,” Biden said in a brief address at the White House. “Today’s announcement builds on the hard work and commitment of countries around the world … that’s what this is about — helping Ukraine defend and protect Ukrainian land.” If Russian troops “return to Russia … where they belong,” he said, “this war will be over today.”
The US plan calls for sending 31 tanks to Ukraine — enough for one battalion, one of the administration officials said. The administration also will send eight M88 recovery vehicles, effectively an armored, tracked tow truck. The plan is to transfer the Leopards, currently spread across Europe, in time for Ukraine to defend against an anticipated russian offensive in the spring, and to launch its own counteroffensive.
In Europe, the goal is to quickly assemble two Leopard tank battalions — equivalent to at least 70 tanks. As a first step, Germany will provide a company of 14 Leopard 2 A6 tanks from its army’s stocks, the government in Berlin said in a statement. European allies, notably the former captive nations of russian subjugation will also provide tanks with German approval. Poland and a number of other European members of NATO had indicated they are prepared to send Leopard 2s. Finland, Greece, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Turkey all own at least 100 of them.
Germany’s Ministry of Defense said it aims for the tanks to be on the battlefield by the end of March. That leaves a tight window for logistics and training — which is expected to begin within days.
This is the kind of needed allied dedication and cooperation that defeated the last state terrorist Nazi Germany eight decades ago.
In a related matter, Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ), representing one of the largest Ukrainian American communities in the United States, today praised the announcement by President Biden, German Chancellor Scholz, and other governments that they will send a massive package of new military and economic support to Ukraine to aid its soldiers in expelling the murderous russian invaders.
“For the last year, the Ukrainian people have been fighting for their very survival,” said Rep. Pascrell. “Russia is pursuing a war of extermination against Ukraine. Russians are butchering women and children, destroying cities, and seeking nothing less than the very extinguishment of Ukraine as a nation-state. Against all odds, Ukraine has fought back and is winning. But Ukraine can only expel the invaders with the full, unremitting help of the civilized world. I have long supported military aid to our brothers and sisters in Ukraine. We must arm Ukraine with the weapons it needs to ensure Ukrainian victory and save countless innocent lives.
“I thank President Biden for convincing the German government and our allies around the world to do the right thing today. President Biden’s international leadership, particularly during the crisis in Ukraine, has been outstanding. Emerging from the catastrophic tenure of his predecessor, President Biden has resuscitated American leadership and united the world in defense of democracy. Today America again leads the Arsenal of Democracy.”

105-year Path to Independence in 60 Seconds

This weekend the Ukrainian nation observes its 105-year path to independence that unfortunately continues to be challenged by the latter-day global terrorist – russia.
Today, January 22 is recognized as Ukrainian Unity Day. Indeed, the Ukrainian nation from east to west, north to south is u
nited in a single cause – to defeat russia and live freely and securely within its recognized borders, which incidentally have been reduced over the years.
However, allow me to flesh out this illustrious celebration with a 105-year recap of the bloody details and the nation’s eternal dedication to the cause of national liberty and democracy.
In the days leading up to January 22, 1918, after three previous unsuccessful attempts, Ukrainians of all political affiliations comprehended the everlasting danger posed by tsarist and communist russia and gathered in Kyiv to decide their future. Then on that historical day they declared the full independence of the eastern region from russia — red and white.
The circumstances were mirrored in western Ukraine. On November 1, 1918, Ukrainians in Lviv declared independence of the western region from the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
On January 22, 1919, both independent national entities understood that their self-governing future rested in a united country and thus formed an independent, sovereign, indivisible Ukrainian National Republic from the rivers Sian to the Don.
Through the ensuing decades as has been the Ukrainian nation’s destiny the fight for independence continued.
On March 15, 1939, the Transcarpathian region declared independence after fighting Hitler’s ally the Hungarians – so World War Two really began earlier than September of that year with Ukrainians first striking a blow against the Nazis.
On June 30, 1941, the revolutionary government of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists in Lviv declared the restoration of the January 22 proclamation and established an independent temporary seat in western Ukraine pending victory and relocation to Kyiv. This dramatic move angered Berlin and Moscow who fought for its destruction without the Western allies’ comprehension of what was really happening.
After the war, the fight for Ukrainian independence continued in the gulags, academia, the streets, Orange Revolution, Maidan, Revolution of Dignity until August 24, 1991, when the latest independence proclamation was declared in the Verkhovna Rada, the parliament.
Unfortunately, the path to freedom didn’t end with the raising of hands. As Thomas Jefferson famously wrote: “The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.”
On February 24, 2022, russia again invaded Ukraine and the bloody war for Ukrainian independence resumed.
For this quest to end, give Ukraine the tanks that its armed forces need to defeat and destroy russia. Truthfully, that is the only possible conclusion that will bring regional and global peace and security.
Otherwise, the Hundred Years’ War will look like a walk in the park.
Glory to the fighters! Glory to the heroes! Glory to Ukraine!

Zelenskyy Tells Davos Gathering Ukraine needs Tanks to Defeat Russia

N.Y. Daily News earlier in the tragedy.

With images of russia’s brutal murder of 45 innocent Ukrainian men, women and children in their homes still fresh in people’s minds and the 11-month Russo-Ukraine War raging, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told the World Economic Forum that free-world supplies of tanks and air defense systems should be delivered sooner in order to outpace russian attacks.

Tanks and air defense systems are the key arms needed to defeat russian aggression and save Europe.

Zelenskyy, who addressed the elite gathering of world leaders and corporate executives in the Swiss ski resort of Davos on January 18 via video link, called for the world to speed up deliveries of weapons, declaring that Ukraine is standing strong and committed despite daily bloody fighting in eastern Ukraine. However, he said the West has to recognize that “tyranny is outpacing democracies” and urged world leaders to act faster.

“The time the free world uses to think is used by the terrorist state to kill,” Zelenskyy said. “The supplies of Western tanks must outpace another invasion of Russian tanks.”

Ukraine – armed forces, government and people – remains motivated to continue battling the russian invasion, now in its 11th month, and vanquishing the aggressor, he said, but complained that its allies have repeatedly been too “hesitant” to act to confront russia, even if they eventually make the right call.

Zelenskyy did not specifically mention Germany, but Ukraine has repeatedly called on Berlin to send German-manufactured advanced Leopard 2 tanks.

Zelenskyy express pleasure to hear that former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger has undergone a significant transformation in his view on Ukrainian membership of NATO. Kissinger, who spoke virtually to the World Economic Forum on January 17, said russia’s invasion shows there is no longer a point to keeping Ukraine out of NATO and membership for Ukraine would be an “appropriate outcome.”
Kissinger’s revised opinion is “very important to put political pressure on russia” to stop its aggression, Zelenskyy said, adding that Kyiv still believes that NATO membership is the best guarantee for its security.

Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska also was doing her part to help promote Ukraine’s case before the world audience. She pressed world leaders and corporate executives in Switzerland to exercise their influence against a russian invasion that is leaving children dying and the world struggling with food insecurity.

As the first anniversary of the war nears, Zelenska said parents in Ukraine are in tears watching doctors trying to save their children, farmers are afraid to return to their fields filled with mines and “we cannot allow a new Chornobyl to happen.”

“What you all have in common is that you are genuinely influential,” Zelenska told attendees. “But there is something that separates you, namely that not all of you use this influence, or sometimes use it in a way that separates you even more.”

As for the Zelenskyy’s point that Ukraine’s membership in NATO is the best guarantee of its security, Prime Minister Sanna Marin of Finland said she hopes the West has learned its lessons on how to deal with russia. If Ukraine had been a NATO member, there would not be a war in the country now, Marin said on January 17 in Davos. She said this was why Finland and Sweden had applied for NATO membership. “We want to become a member of NATO because we don't ever again want war in Finland. We have been at war with russia before,” Marin said.

Kissinger’s epiphany about NATO and Ukraine is a significant development, which, hopefully, will push hesitant countries to actively support Ukraine against russia. Countries that have tanks, armored fighting vehicles, armored personnel carriers, air defense systems and other military materiel should provide them to Ukraine so Ukrainian soldiers, sailors and pilots can defeat russia and protect Europe.