Terrorism, stupidity or both...


So, yet again, today in Ukraine innocent lives were lost. Kryvyi Rih today...6 killed at the latest count, including children. More trapped under rubble.

So there is no question that they are murderous terrorist thugs, killing innocent civilians. Putin, the gang leader, with his followers and supporters, and, unfortunately, many ordinary Russians.

Now the stupidity. In many parts, especially eastern Ukraine and Odesa, where we are, there has been a long cultural connection. For example, Pushkin lived and wrote In Odesa. Other cultural links exist. Russian is, by and large, the de facto language, especially amongst the older population.
So what do you do as a Russian aggressor? Destroy the central cathedral in Odesa. Destroy UNESCO protected buildings (not that UNESCO has done anything useful here).

What Putin is doing, effectively, is destroying the links. People who, for maybe a long time, if not exactly pro Russian, co-existed. It's a hard transition for many here in Odesa, I think, who are seeing Russians in their true colours. Russia has no love for Ukraine. Only domination.

And so the answer in my mind is they are terrorists, they are murderers of women and children. And they are stupid. The few supporters they had are leaving like rats from a ship. Go figure.

On a much more positive note, we had a wonderful time in the UNICEF tent in Odesa. Games played...so much laughter. 

Then lessons for adults. And younger adults. We had interesting discussions about whether Odesa should sever the cultural links with Russia, for example, Pushkin who wrote and lived in Odesa. Should a statue be removed? There was no clear cut answer. These are the questions that Ukraine will need to answer.

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