A Second Opinion: Ukraine–A Nation of Heroes

A people of determination and guts

–
by Mary Foran

The 6th President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, is the leader of a nation of heroes, fighting for their freedom and national sovereignty in the face of the brutal and violent Russian invasion of their country.

According to Ukrainian sources, some 3000 Ukrainian soldiers and nationalists fighting on the side of Russia have been killed. On March 13th, President Zelensky announced that at least 2500 Ukrainian soldiers had died in the fighting.

The UN confirmed the deaths of around 2000 civilians, men, women and children on March 22, 2022.

President Zelenskky on 1 February 2022 at the Verkhova Rada, Ukraine’s parliament, two weeks before the Russian invasion: “We need the unity of all, always and in everything”

There are many wounded, dying of starvation and thirst, in many regions of Ukraine. Some 200 million have sought refuge in other countries.

President Zelensky has said that Ukraine is not willing to give up its territory in the East to end the war with Russia. Ukraine’s military is prepared to fight Russia’s military in a battle that could determine the outcome of the war.

“It is very important for us not to allow them, to stand our ground, because this battle…can influence the course of the whole war,” Zelensky said.

Mariupol: Russians threatened “consequences” if U.S. aid goes through

Mariupol, devastated by the Russian war machine, is being surrounded by Russian troops and they are blocking humanitarian aid to the citizens of the city. A deadline has already passed to surrender the city to Russian forces to “save lives.”

US President Joe Biden approved 800 million in aid to Ukraine which includes military aid, while the Russians threatened “consequences” if the aid goes through.

“Ukrainians deserve our full support and compassion”

The people of Ukraine have shown determination and guts in their fight to save their nation from the oppressive Russian regime of Vladimir Putin.

They deserve our full support and compassion in their hour of need.

———

Images
Featured image (Ukrainian mother&baby son)/EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid, CC BY-ND2.0. Partial face blot-out supplied.
Quote mark/Oakus 53, CC BY-SA4.0
Mariupol/Just Click’s With A Camera, PD, Flickr
Zelenskyy at the Rada/President of Ukraine, PD via Flickr
Ukrainian flag/Sergey Kosak, PD via Flickr. Vignette applied.