The War Through the Eyes of Meduza Readers. Today We Publish a Letter from Anna in Minsk

Meduza — LIVE:

War. What is happening on day 1587. Alexander Lukashenko did not convey any messages to Vladimir Putin from Volodymyr Zelensky, Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said today. Putin and Lukashenko held an informal meeting over the weekend in Valdai.…

The war through the eyes of Meduza readers. Today we publish a letter from Anna in Minsk

When Russian cities are hit, I do not rejoice. I think, "well of course, that was to be expected" and "I hope people begin to understand what it is like to live in wartime and demand that it end." When Ukrainian cities are hit, it hurts me, because they did not start the war and could not have influenced its beginning, unlike Russians, who, however minimally, could have had some influence.

If the gloating comments on social media are even real, if they are not bots, then those people, regardless of nationality or side, are alien to me, because that lack of empathy is pathetic and base. It is horribly disgusting to read. Even if it is some pitiful Z-patriot sitting on a couch, or a nationalist-minded Ukrainian, their death by drone would not make me happy, despite how deeply unpleasant they are to me as people. No civilian population, if those people have not committed war crimes, deserves death for their views. If, on the other hand, those people came onto чужую землю to kill, then their death was their deserved mistake, one they brought upon themselves.

Ukrainians as a whole are showing great dignity, in my view, by not responding with terror against apartment buildings, even though they could. That is probably due in large part to the country's image in the eyes of the EU, so that they keep receiving aid, but that is not so important. The main thing is that they are not committing equivalent atrocities.

It seems to me that the difference between monsters and good people is that good people do not commit horrific acts even toward their enemy. Because someone has to keep that bar of normality in place, otherwise both sides will become criminal and monstrous, and there will no longer be any difference between them. It is very hard for Ukrainians to do that when they see what is being done to their home. But Ukrainians like that make me feel admiration, and I hope there are more of them. Peace to everyone.

You can also share your thoughts about the war with Meduza through the feedback form.

@meduzalive