Valerii Pekar, Mychailo Wynnyckyj — March 10-14, 2022

Flash essays from the collection “Wars. Ukrainians: Humanity” tell about the insights, experiences, and beliefs of Ukrainians, which ignited their society in 2022, when the full-scale russian invasion of Ukraine began.

The Cultural Hub community and curators carefully collected, translated, and illustrated these texts in order to capture the values ​​of Ukrainians — Freedoms, Bravery, Dignity, Responsibility, and Humour. 

A series of publications in partnership with Chytomo introduces this collection to the English-speaking audience. Volume 4 continues to present the series. You can get acquainted with the previous collection here.

Mychailo Wynnyckyj: Thoughts from Kyiv. Morning of March 10

Yesterday’s bombing of the maternity hospital in Mariupol was a turning point. Too many emotions. Too much evil. So much determination. This has to be the last time!

My wife and I have four children. Our house (dacha) has now become a shelter to two other families, so children are everywhere. Our youngest guest is 14 months old. She is truly beautiful.

How many children will not be born because of this evil war? How many mothers will raise their young without fathers? How many children will die?

How many times in our history has that question been asked? And each time, we survive.

The window I am facing looks out at the rolling hills of Kyiv oblast. Just a dusting of snow. Soon the storks will return and the cherry trees will bloom.

This land has buried more dead in war and terror than any other. Mongols, Tsars, Holodomor, World War II … Bodies. Dead. Killed. Children unborn. Perhaps that is why the earth is so black.

The terrors and wars that Ukrainians have faced throughout our history have scattered us throughout the world. We are a global nation.

But wherever Ukrainians live, they have a home. It is here. That must never change.

Yesterday was the birthday of Taras Shevchenko — Ukraine’s national poet. Shevchenko’s figure has been recreated in 1300 monuments throughout the world. Shevchenko represents what we were and what we’ve become: serfs who gained freedom. He lived here. He is buried here. Home.

Yesterday, my friend and former student Oksana Bulava posted a call to our ancestors: simple men and women who farmed this land on which we walk, who once drank the water which now gives us life, who breathed the air of freedom that transcends our genes… You, the Cossacks of our past! We pray for your help and guidance. We ask for your strength in our battle against the evil that has attacked that which is most sacred: our unborn children and the mothers who carry them.

I write these words in English because I want the world to hear: we are dying! Death and destruction are falling from the sky, launched by Evil. Close the sky!!!

We will survive (yet again). Because this nation is invincible. But why must it always be accompanied by so much sacrifice? Why must our children die?

Why is the earth around Kyiv so black?

#ThoughtsfromKyiv

Valerii Pekar: “8D Plan” for russia. March 10

“8D Plan” for russia:

1. Demilitarization — reduced minimum presence of the armed forces in the European part, establishment of demilitarized zones the army shall not be allowed to enter (including along the borders on the EU, Ukraine, belarus, Georgia).
2. Denuclearization — decommissioning of nuclear weapons, supervision over NPPs and research centres, for them not to be used for military purposes.
3. Decentralization — getting back to the federal political structure, restoration of the rights of national republics.
4. Democratization — preparation and holding of a free election under international supervision and following international standards, and before that — interim military civil administration.
5. De-Nazification — de-identification of “russia’s grandeur” with military power and aggressive policy via compulsory study of the history of invading wars, starting with novhorod. Establishment of public broadcast.
6. De-communization — condemnation of the crimes committed by the communist regime and making these crimes equal to the nazi crimes (this should also be done in Ukraine). Prohibition of the communist symbols.
7. De-stalinization — liquidation of the cult of stalin, the cult of the “victory frenzy” via changing narratives, holidays and the pantheon of heroes. Archive opening. Changing school curricula and textbooks.
8. De-putinization — privatization of state-owned holdings serving as the basis for putin’s authoritarian rule. Prohibition for the key representatives of putin’s regime to hold any public offices.

Mychailo Wynnyckyj: Thoughts from Kyiv. Afternoon of March 11

An interesting psychological shift occurred in my head today: day 16 of the war, and no end in sight. If at first I believed a quick victory over the russian invader was possible, now I understand that this war is not ending any time soon.

I am still 110% confident in eventual victory. Indeed, Ukrainians have already shown unprecedented valor, determination and effectiveness. No one (neither in the Pentagon, nor in the kremlin) believed the Ukrainian army and people could stop a full-fledged russian invasion in its tracks. We have.

Bombing of urban areas continues: Kharkiv, Mariupol, Chernihiv, Sumy, and many others will likely be flattened in the coming days. Today three rockets exploded in Ivano-Frankivsk in western Ukraine, and the northwestern city of Lutsk was bombed by enemy aircraft. The term “humanitarian crisis” underestimates both the scale and extent of the devastation.

My dispassionate assessment (to the extent that I can be dispassionate): airstrikes and rocket launches are likely to continue into the foreseeable future — with tragic consequences for civilians, infrastructure, and for the country as a whole. But exploding rockets can only destroy. To occupy and control one needs ground forces.

And the russian ground forces in Ukraine are stuck. Permanently.

Throughout the country, putin’s troops are not moving forward, and in some limited cases are being beaten back by the Ukrainian Army, National Guard and/or Territorial Defense units. Surveillance camera videos abound showing russian soldiers’ behavior in the villages that they have occupied: they are raiding warehouses, stealing from local stores, burgling homes in search of food.

The “mighty” russian army is stalled, hungry, demoralized. They are unlikely to retreat. putin is certainly not going to call them back, and no russian commander will ever give such an order independently. To retreat would mean admitting defeat. As I’ve written extensively before, putin will either try to escalate (warnings of potential use of chemical or nuclear weapons is all over the news), or to “freeze” the conflict into one of attrition.

Attrition will take a very long time and we obviously have the advantage, but the cost of victory will be enormous. Western sanctions are already affecting the strength and capability of the russian war machine. Meanwhile Ukrainians are receiving massive amounts of military and economic support (thank you!). The numeric and technological capabilities of the two sides are gradually equalizing. Time is on the side of the Ukrainian military, but not on the side of Ukrainian civilians as long as the sky above Ukraine remains open to russian aircraft and rockets.

The next stage of the war should involve beating back the russians to the Ukrainian border. But clearing occupied Ukrainian territories of russian invaders will require a paradigm shift among Ukrainians. It is one thing to defend, and quite another to attack, destroy, advance. Furthermore, clearing Ukraine’s territory of russian occupiers will take time.

After two weeks, today, the two families that had sheltered with us in our house (dacha) to the south of Kyiv packed their cars and drove westward. It is now obvious that their children (and ours) will not be returning to school anytime soon. One can only be a temporary “guest” for so long. Life must go on. We wish them well.

In the meantime, we continue to fight — each on his own front. Ukraine will doubtless prevail in this war, and we will eventually turn our attention to rebuilding. The new country will be even more beautiful, and undoubtedly prosperous — a showcase for the world.

But first we must clear our land of russian invaders. They’ve made a mess. Cleaning up will take some time. We’ll manage. We always do.

God help us!

#ThoughtsfromKyiv

Mychailo Wynnyckyj: Thoughts from Kyiv. March 12

This is now a war of attrition. As sanctions gradually bite their economy, russian forces in Ukraine continue to bombard our cities from the air. Meanwhile, Ukrainians continue to resist on the ground. In this situation, neither side has the upper hand. Whoever lasts longer, wins.

The enemy aims to have us capitulate; to surrender. We aim to live. The most important thing we can do in these circumstances is to continue living. Each of us in his own place: ensuring that the institutions of society continue to function.

Today the bank app on my phone notified me that I had received half my monthly salary from Kyiv-Mohyla Academy. Normally, that should have happened on the 15th of the month, so I was initially surprised (three days early), but then it dawned on me: the fact that I received any funds today at all is unbelievable. To enable this transaction, a payroll accountant at the university had to physically calculate the amount I had earned, enter it into the system, then someone at the bank had to transfer the money electronically into my account. And the phone app had to work flawlessly …

Meanwhile there’s a war on.

Yesterday we lost internet access. The line to the village we are in on the outskirts of Kyiv was either deliberately cut or damaged (I don’t know the details). A technician was dispatched to fix the line. Within five hours we were connected again.

Simply doing their job. That is how Ukrainians are resisting. We are not a failed state. Yes, the russians have invaded our territory. Yes, our army is fighting back — valiantly. Yes, our minds are completely absorbed by the news, social networks, calls from friends and family … And yet, we work. Some of us actually have started to draw up plans for the future (more on that in a future post). This, despite the losses. Despite the tears. Despite the horror around us. We all do our part.

Accountants, technicians, bankers, street cleaners, medics, civil servants, subway workers, journalists, drivers… You are all heroes of Ukraine’s resistance! By simply ensuring the continued functioning of Ukraine — the state and country that our enemy would have the world believe to be corrupt, invented, failed — we prove that he is wrong. We are not feeble. We are effective. We live.

We support those who fight in the Ukrainian Armed Forces in whatever way we can: money, food, equipment, a good word, a like in FB … And so, we will prevail!

My social network feed is filled with discussions (arguments) between those civilians who fled the current fighting (to western Ukraine, to other countries) and those who have stayed. The former seek to justify their “guilt” with descriptions of the horrors they lived through. The latter feel compelled to demonstrate their bravery and bravado with relevant imagery. Both groups feel they have not yet done enough to support Ukraine’s defense. I refuse to be dragged into these discussions. You have all contributed! You are all heroes!

I also refuse to try to answer those in Ukraine’s vast diaspora who ask “how can we help?” To all who ask, I repeat: each of us has a job to do. russia is waging total war on Ukraine and Ukrainians. That war is global because we Ukrainians are a global nation. The war involves you directly because you are part of the “clan,” the “family,” the Nation.

Ukraine’s current story is not just one of humanitarian tragedy. Ours is a valiant episode (one of many) in the epic tale of how our Nation contributed to the construction of each of the countries of today’s civilized world. putin seeks to destroy us. He says Ukrainians (not just here — throughout the world) have no right to exist. He is wrong. He is evil. His war must not only be stopped, his depraved vision must forever be destroyed!

Each of us has a part to play in this victory: fighting, supporting, caring, fundraising, organizing, demonstrating, informing … No guilt. Each contributing in their own way. Like bees in a hive. No orders. No instructions. No hierarchy. To some it looks like chaos. To us, it’s just life. It’s just being Ukrainian.

#ThoughtsfromKyiv

 Mychailo Wynnyckyj: Thoughts from Kyiv. Morning of March 13

We awoke this morning to ominous news of what happened last night:

1) At least eight russian rockets attacked the international military training center in Yavoriv in western Ukraine. The base is located in direct proximity (less than 10km) to the Polish border. Throughout the past 8 years, Canadian, US and other NATO military trainers have been stationed at the facility.

Update: latest news from Lviv mayor Andrii Sadovyi: almost 30 rockets were fired. 35 people killed, 134 wounded. The russian missiles were apparently fired from aircraft flying out of saratov, and were launched from positions over the Black Sea.

2) The air raid warning equipment in Ivano-Frankivsk again failed to be activated in time to presage a rocket attack on that city’s airport. The technical issue is being investigated, but clearly the russians are no longer limiting their assaults on central and eastern Ukrainian targets.

3) Previous news of a possible threat from belarus, from the military facility in brest (150 km from Kovel in the northwest corner of Ukraine) seems to be overblown. The belarusian forces there are apparently in mass mutiny — refusing orders to invade across the Ukrainian border. Nevertheless, sorties of russian aircraft from bases in belarus continue, and russian commanders are apparently being brought to brest to replace belarusian mutineers.

4) russian terror in the southeastern region continues: after the disappearance of the mayor of russian-occupied Melitopol which sparked yesterday’s valiant civilian protests on that town’s main square, the mayor of Dniprorudny (a town in Zaporizhzhia oblast) was also kidnapped last night. Previously, the russians kidnapped and killed the mayor of Hostomel (a town northwest of Kyiv). This morning, the mayor of Irpin posted a video demonstrating that he is still in post, bravely defending his town from the surrounding russian troops.

5) The russians continue to taunt NATO with threats of a possible nuclear “accident” in Chernobyl, possible chemical weapons attacks, possible attacks on western countries’ convoys sent to Ukraine with military equipment (Stoltenberg has stated that an attack on such a convoy would be tantamount to a breach of Article 5 — we shall see).

The attacks on Yavoriv, and the taunting of NATO by russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister who warned that the invader considers arms shipments to Ukraine “legitimate targets,” are indicators of what many of us have been saying for many days: World War III has already started. russia is continuing to test the “red lines” of the West and will continue to escalate as long as it is allowed to.

In their minds, Ukraine is just a “theater of operations” — the war has already gone global.

In this context I am confused why the major western news sites (BBC, CNN), seem to not be focusing on last night’s Iranian missile strike on Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan. Reuters, Fox and DW report explosions near the US Consulate, and some claim damage to the building. Iran (or at least certain elements within that country’s elite) cooperates with russia. I interpret this attack as another test of US resolve. So far, the US (non)response will be interpreted in russia as yet another sign of weakness.

This morning, a video was released of russia firing banned phosphorus weapons (fire bombs) last night on the town of Popasna (Luhansk oblast). This, in addition to the use of thermobaric weapons (vacuum bombs) last week. Yesterday, evidence of the use by russia of cluster bombs (also banned) in Ukraine was presented by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Humanitarian corridors continue to be shot at by russian soldiers in Bucha, Hostomel, Mariupol, Kharkiv, Sumy, Chernihiv … The list goes on.

russia is taunting Ukraine’s NATO allies — goading them into engagement. The longer you hold out, the more they will terrorize the world. More time for more Ukrainians to die.

Apparently, lenin once advised military strategists: “probe with bayonets: if you find mush, push. If you find steel, withdraw.” So far, the West’s response has been “mushy.” putin knows it.

This morning, Ukraine’s valiant Minister of Defense Oleksiy Reznikov again appealed to the West: Protect our skies!!! Please!

Show some steel!!!

God help us!

#ThoughtsfromKyiv

 Mychailo Wynnyckyj: Thoughts from Kyiv. Morning of March 14

Good people around the world are voicing their support for Ukraine’s resistance — loudly. Ukrainians have become heroes of the Western media; their valiant fight against the russian invader is followed and cheered throughout the world. Our struggle is widely recognized as righteous: Ukraine is defending itself against all odds. putin is Evil.

These messages of support are getting through to us in Ukraine and we are grateful.

Ukrainians respond to our NATO friends with requests for more direct military involvement. We understand the fears of your political leaders (their justification for non-intervention), but we disagree with their arguments. putins colossal military failure in Ukraine has shown that his nuclear threats are vapid.

We understand that your leadership is scared, but we continue to ask/plea/request: Close our Sky!!!

This call to western political elites is now being transmitted not only from Ukraine, and not only from the Ukrainian Diaspora, but also from ordinary citizens of European countries, from Americans, Canadians, Australians … Each is pressuring their elites in their own way.

And so it should be: we must each pressure our own decision-makers (that is our democratic right and obligation), and our arguments must be based not on the plight of Ukrainians, but on the interests of our own countries.

I am reminded of a class that I teach in one of my business school courses on cross-cultural communications. There, I show a series of stylized maps of the world taken from school textbooks in different countries.

The first is a representation of the world from the point of view of a North American.

The second — an excerpt from a soviet textbook (still relevant to the worldview of Ukrainians).

The third is a representation of the world from a Chinese perspective.

My point: we view the world with ourselves as its center (always). We are taught to do so from childhood.

For Americans watching events in Ukraine, the main question is “Why is Biden not doing enough?” or worse “This would not have happened if Trump was President!” These questions are completely irrelevant to the actual story of/in Ukraine, but they are certainly top of mind for US citizens.

And the media picks them up: an American journalist died near Kyiv yesterday — this story was clearly more important to US reporters in Ukraine than the 2187 citizens of Mariupol who have been killed since the start of russia’s bombardment of that city. Sad, but true. We are citizens of our own countries first and foremost.

Roosevelt faced a similar dilemma — until Pearl Harbor …

For Europeans the war in Ukraine is closer (in terms of geography), but it still is happening “not in Europe.” After all, Ukraine is not in the EU, not in NATO … As my German friend Andreas Umland wrote this morning (sarcastically): “deep in our souls we know that Ukraine lies between Tibet and Bhutan. Our Germany, in contrast, is here, close, safe and warm … At the end of the day, what happens in Ukraine — except for some refugees — stays in Ukraine.”

Indeed, from the perspective of the elected leaders of Germany (and France, and Poland, and Italy…), everything must be done to make sure the war in Ukraine stays in Ukraine: the supposedly very large and powerful russian bear must not be allowed to affect the lives of peaceful and comfortable Europeans.

Where is Churchill?

Recently, I have heard multiple calls for China to adopt the role of peacemaker or intermediary between Kyiv and moscow. In today’s news we see putin asking Xi for economic assistance. But looking at the world from Beijing’s perspective, I see absolutely no prospect for China’s involvement on either side.

The very fact that questions of China’s involvement are being raised at all is evidence that the war in Ukraine is not seen by western publics as a local war. This message is constantly being transmitted from Ukraine to European and North American political leaders, but it has not yet reached them from their own citizens:

World War III has already begun!

The longer western leaders maintain their “limited involvement” (i.e. refrain from closing the sky over Ukraine), the longer they remain hostages to putin’s vapid threats. The terrorist in the kremlin would have you believe that regardless of his massive losses on the ground in Ukraine (against an army that was supposedly significantly less powerful), you should be frightened of his military might. Ukrainians have proven on the battlefield: russia is a paper tiger! putin’s threats are idle.

putin is the equivalent of a bully in a school yard. If you want him to stop bullying weaker kids (e.g. Ukraine), what do you do? You confront him. Why? Because for all his toughness, he is afraid of someone who is tougher. As long as he sees weakness, putin will taunt the West (including with airstrikes near the Polish border, threats of nuclear attack, use of chemical weapons, etc.). As soon as he is opposed by strength, he will withdraw. And as soon as he is confronted personally, his command structure (already highly stressed) will crumble.

Dear friends throughout the world, I realize that my points may be difficult to understand from your vantage points far away, but I will continue to repeat my messages:

1) Don’t think you can avoid World War III — it has already started. The longer you wait before becoming involved, the more people will die.

2) Sanctions against russia will not end this war! They will certainly reduce the strength of russia’s war machine, and they will punish the russian population, but that population will not revolt against putin. They are too brainwashed by state media and atomized to launch an effective protest. A “palace coup” is possible, but highly unlikely. And sanctions will do nothing to provoke it.

3) Cover our skies! Ukrainians will take care of the dilapidated russian forces on the ground, but we need your help to protect our cities from airstrikes and missiles. Our civilians need your protection.

4) Don’t be hostage to the russian terrorist! He seeks to frighten you and bully others. As long as you acquiesce to his idle threats, he wins. As soon as you confront him, he will back off.

5) The longer the West remains “uninvolved” (i.e. limits aid to Ukraine to provision of military equipment, economic assistance, and sanctions against russia), putin will continue to taunt you with (idle) threats of escalation and will continue to destroy our cities.

Dear friends! Thank you for your demonstrations of support. Thank you for your words, your money, your aid. Thank you for all the help you have provided. But it is time to stop cheering from the sidelines.

Close our skies!!!

#ThoughtsfromKyiv

 Mychailo Wynnyckyj: Thoughts from Kyiv. Afternoon of March 14

There’s an obvious disconnect between information that Ukrainians have on the ground, and what is being presented by the western media.

Right now FoxNews is talking about an “inevitable” russian advance on Kyiv.

CNN has the “russian assault” intensifying.

A BBC headline says “Ukraine’s battered cities are digging mass graves.”

CBC claims “Situation on the ground in Ukraine is nothing short of a nightmare.”

Now reality: russia is bombing our cities. putin is directly targeting civilian infrastructure in order to cause a humanitarian crisis that will improve his hand in future “peace” negotiations. Many civilians have tragically perished in russia’s onslaught — particularly in Mariupol, Kharkiv, Sumy, Chernihiv. Many women and children have fled the most affected areas to the western region and to other countries …

However! The russians are NOT poised to attack Kyiv!!!

russia’s ground troops are demoralized, poorly supplied, and generally stuck. There is no “russian advance” on Kyiv, nor any “russian assault” on the capital. russian forces have been halted in the northwest and west for over a week. Their forces have tried to advance from the northeast, so far with no success. They have absolutely no chance of surrounding Kyiv in the foreseeable future.

If they try, they will be stopped just as their predecessors were, and we will again have thousands of dead russians fertilizing Ukraine’s already black earth.

Ukraine’s capital is extremely well defended. Anti-aircraft and anti-missile defenses are operating effectively (though not 100%), as seen by today’s downing of a russian missile in the Kurenivka district (video widely available). Tragically a trolleybus was destroyed, and a civilian was killed in that incident, but if the missile had struck its target many more would have perished. Other missiles made it through the air defenses and destroyed several apartment buildings.

All of these are tragic stories of war, but they do not mean Ukraine is losing!

In Kyiv, territorial Defenses have established checkpoints everywhere. Weapons and ammunition have been distributed. Units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces are well equipped, motivated, and organized.

My friends! We are fighting a war! War is tragic. People die.

But war is also a contest. And right now Ukraine is WINNING!

That message needs to be heard because military help will only be provided if there is a prospect of its going to the winning side. No one wants to help a loser …

We need help in the sky to stop missiles and bombs raining on our heads. But on the ground, the enemy has no chance. russian occupation of Kyiv would require them to control both the ground and the sky. It would also require acquiescence (or collaboration) on the part of the population. That ain’t happening. Just look at what’s happening in Kherson …

As a matter of course, I will again repeat what I have written many times: Cover our skies!

Ukrainians will take care of the dilapidated russian forces on the ground, but we need your help to protect our cities from airstrikes and missiles.

Don’t be hostage to the russian terrorist! He seeks to frighten you with his nukes while he bullies us. As long as you acquiesce to his idle threats, he wins. As soon as you confront him, he will back off. The sooner you do so, the fewer people will die.

Sanctions against russia will not end this war! They will reduce the strength of putin’s war machine, and they will punish the russian population, but that population will not revolt against putin. They are too brainwashed by state media and atomized to launch an effective protest. A “palace coup” is possible, but highly unlikely. And sanctions will do nothing to provoke it.

Dear friends! Thank you for your public demonstrations of support. Thank you for your words, your money, your aid. Thank you for all the help you have provided.

But it is time to stop cheering from the sidelines.

Close our skies! We’ll take care of the rest.

#ThoughtsfromKyiv

Mychailo Wynnyckyj: To leadership of NATO countries. March 14

I’m told short posts get read more. Here goes:

To leadership of NATO countries:

Closing the skies over Ukraine means russian attack aircraft and missiles will be confronted and shot down by NATO planes if they attack targets in Ukraine.

Why should that prospect not frighten you:

1) putin’s command structure is rotten — his order to fire nukes (if given) will not be followed.

2) russia’s military hardware is old and poorly maintained (see its performance in Ukraine). Their nukes are unlikely to fire even if putin’s orders are followed.

3) Europe and North America are covered with anti-missile shields (your taxes paid for it). Even if a missile is fired by russia, it will not get through to its target.

putin is a bully. You need to stand up to him.

Get over your fears. They are irrational.

Take Ukrainians’ example. Fortune favors the brave.

Close the skies over Ukraine!

That is all.

#ThoughtsfromKyiv

* The editorial “rule of small letters” or the “rule of disrespect for criminals” applies to all the words related to evil, like names and surnames of terrorists, war criminals, rapists, murderers, and torturers. They do not deserve being capitalized but shall be written in italics to stay in the focus of the readers’ attention. 

The programme “Wars. Ukrainians. Humanity” has been created by joint effort and with the financial support of the institution’s members of the Cultural Business Education Hub, the European Cultural Foundation, and BBK — the Regensburg Art and Culture Support Group from the Professional Association of Artists of Lower Bavaria/Upper Palatinate.

Authors: Valerii Pekar, Mychailo Wynnyckyj

Translator (from Ukrainian): Halyna Pekhnyk (Valerii Pekar’s essay) 

Illustrators: Max Palenko (Valerii Pekar’s essay), Victoria Boyko (Mychailo Wynnyckyj’s essays), plasticine panel by Olha Protasova

Copyeditors: Yuliia Moroz, Terra Friedman King

Proofreaders: Iryna Andrieieva, Tetiana Vorobtsova, Terra Friedman King

Content Editors: Maryna Korchaka, Natalia Babalyk

Program Directors: Julia Ovcharenko and Demyan Om Dyakiv-Slavitski