In some countries, Christmas is tougher than in other countries. “Russia Unleashes Another Wave of Attacks on Ukraine.” That is a headline from the New York Times. The article’s subheading reads as follows: “Moscow again struck Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, part of an effort to wear down the country. ‘In the trenches, there are no holidays,’ one man said.”
Yes.
We should know a name, and a face. Otherwise, war, or a criminal invasion, is too abstract. Maria Avdeeva is one among many who took note of Dmytro Petlenko:
An item from the Kyiv Independent:
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk criticized Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban for calling Vladimir Putin Hungary’s “honest partner” during Russia’s massive missile attacks on Ukraine on Christmas Day . . .
The article further says,
Russia launched 78 missiles and 106 drones on Dec. 25, striking multiple Ukrainian cities.
A lot of us admire the Ukrainian people, for their bravery and persistence:
They are setting an example for the whole world — of bravery and persistence, yes, and also of real patriotism.
• A BBC report is headed “Russia is executing more and more Ukrainian prisoners of war.” The report begins,
Ukrainian sniper Oleksandr Matsievsky was captured by Russians in the first year of the full-scale invasion. Later, a video emerged showing him smoking his last cigarette in a forest, apparently next to a grave he had been forced to dig.
“Glory to Ukraine!” he says to his captors. Moments later, shots ring out and he falls dead.
His execution is one of many.
That is heroism, for those who want to see it.
• An issue to be aware of:
The Finnish authorities seized an oil tanker on Thursday on the suspicion that it was involved in cutting vital undersea cables and said the ship might have been part of Russia’s “shadow fleet,” aimed at evading Western sanctions.
I have quoted the opening paragraph of a New York Times report, here.
• From the Wall Street Journal: “Satellite Images Show North Korea Boosting Arms Flow to Russia.” That report is here. Where I live, people say, “Pivot to Asia!” In a sense, Asia is “pivoting” to Ukraine. Things are connected in this explosive world. People realize that, when they want to.
• From the Associated Press: “Ukraine’s military intelligence says North Korean troops are suffering heavy battlefield losses.” (Article here.) I feel sorry for these North Koreans. They are mere fodder, born into a “psychotic state,” as Jeane Kirkpatrick characterized North Korea. Regardless, Putin and that axis — Russia, North Korea, China, Iran, etc. — must be defeated.
• Illia Ponomarenko is a leading journalist in Ukraine. (I spoke with him in a podcast last May.) On December 24, he had a tart and apt remark:
• A major aspect of this war — the Russian assault on Ukraine — is the kidnapping of Ukrainians by Russian forces. It is sometimes better to focus on one case than on a broad phenomenon. From Meduza, we have this: “ ‘Thank God he’s dead — fewer problems’: The story of Oleksandr Yakushchenko, a Ukrainian teenager deported to Russia who died by suicide after being barred from returning home.”
• The Wall Street Journal has published a blockbuster report — a superb and meticulous report: “The Global Hunt for Putin’s ‘Sleeper Agents.’” Kudos to Drew Hinshaw, Joe Parkinson, and the rest of the team. In the last many years, I’ve heard, “Today’s Russia is not the Soviet Union, you know!” My standard reply: “Does Putin?” (One could add: “Do the Ukrainians? Do Russia’s political prisoners, who are more numerous than in the last stage of the USSR?”)
There are many people who would like to see our victory in the Cold War reversed. I hope they lose. Again.
• Ryan Zinke is a Republican congressman:
Lauren Boebert is another Republican member of Congress:
Today’s GOP-ers like to tell the “old conservatives,” “This is not your Republican Party, you know!” They are so right.
• As a rule, modern Republicans admire Giorgia Meloni, the prime minister of Italy. I wonder whether they would listen to her on the subject of Ukraine and Russia.
• Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, is a villain to many in American politics. Others have a different view, however. The below message reminded me of something: Ukraine’s president is Jewish, which is extraordinary, in light of history. This can be overlooked, understandably: A war is on. A fight for survival is on. The very existence of Ukraine is in question. Still, an extraordinary thing, against the backdrop of history.
• Memorial was the largest civil-society organization, and the largest human-rights organization, in Russia. Obviously, it has been banned. But it survives outside the country. In 2022, Memorial shared the Nobel Peace Prize. (For a piece of mine about the ’22 prize, go here.) Memorial is now engaged in an important practice. Today, as in Soviet days, some of the bravest people on earth are Russian. Let’s remember them.