For nearly a month, the world has watched on in horror as Russia has brought death and destruction to Ukraine following its invasion on Feb. 24.
For Ukrainians living in Canada, they see more and more of their homeland destroyed each day worried for loved ones still there. But for Russians firmly against the war living abroad, fear is growing of what Russian President Vladimir Putin91裸聊视频檚 actions in Ukraine will mean for their country, and themselves.
91裸聊视频淭hese are really challenging times for me as someone who has lived all their life in Russia,91裸聊视频� said Katerina Moiseeva, a current master91裸聊视频檚 student at Royal Roads University. 91裸聊视频淲e just don91裸聊视频檛 know what to think, what to expect 91裸聊视频� we as Russians can91裸聊视频檛 be responsible for the leadership of our country because, for example, I did not choose this president (Putin), I did not vote for him.91裸聊视频�
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Moiseeva said she believes Russians will feel guilty for Putin91裸聊视频檚 actions, similar to how Germans felt guilty for the Nazi regime91裸聊视频檚 atrocities in the Second World War. But it will take years after the war eventually ends before every Russian feels such guilt and real healing will be possible.
Given Putin91裸聊视频檚 tight grip on information in Russia, Moiseeva said such healing will be slowed as much of the country is simply not aware of what is really happening in Ukraine, instead only hearing what Putin wants them to hear 91裸聊视频� that it is a 91裸聊视频渟pecial military operation,91裸聊视频� Russia is not killing civilians and their soldiers are being welcomed by Ukrainians with open arms and celebration.
While those living in major cities like Moscow and Saint Petersburg are able to access independent or outside media and realize what is truly going on in Ukraine, she said those living outside those cities are only able to access state-controlled media.
Moiseeva said while it is nothing compared to what Ukrainians are experiencing at home or abroad, she feels her homeland91裸聊视频檚 national identity is suffering, and it will only get worse as the war goes on. Even here in Canada, she is aware some people 91裸聊视频� especially those with ties to Ukraine 91裸聊视频� find it challenging to separate Putin91裸聊视频檚 actions from anyone or anything from Russia.
91裸聊视频淗ow can we explain to our children that we started the war, that we started killing people,91裸聊视频� she said. 91裸聊视频淚 can say that I have never experienced any issues in Canada from me being a Russian 91裸聊视频� but I can feel people have this back thought equating Russians to aggressors. I think it will never disappear in their perceptions of Russians.91裸聊视频�
The feelings many have about Russians now, even if they are subconscious, are understandable to Moiseeva. After all, she has seen it in her own family 91裸聊视频� her grandparents survived the Second World War and for years couldn91裸聊视频檛 help but associate anything German with 91裸聊视频渋nvaders91裸聊视频� or the death of loved ones.
Unfortunately, she feels change from within Russia is not likely to happen. While there are plenty of Russians who oppose Putin and his war with Ukraine, she said recent crackdowns on dissent and independent media has led many Russians to flee the country for fears of repercussions should they speak out and call for change.
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justin.samanski-langille@goldstreamgazette.com
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