**The True Toll of Russia’s War in Ukraine: A Hidden Stain on the World’s Conscience**
A century ago, Pulitzer laureate Walter Duranty wrote a notorious piece for The New York Times, justifying the Soviet Union’s brutal suppression of Ukraine as a necessary evil. His words, “You can’t make an omelette without breaking eggs,” have become a chilling reminder of the true cost of power and ambition. Today, Russia is once again waging war on Ukraine, leaving behind a trail of death and destruction that goes unreported.
The numbers are staggering: 13,000 civilian deaths, according to the United Nations. But what about the countless others who have lost their lives in the brutal campaign? The thousands killed by targeted attacks on civilians? The hundreds who died from starvation and lack of medical care? These victims are often erased from the narrative, dismissed as mere “casualties” rather than acknowledged as war crimes.
The truth is, we don’t know the true toll. The UN’s official figure reflects only what can be double-confirmed, ignoring vast swaths of occupied territory where unimaginable cruelty has been committed. In Mariupol, for example, city officials estimated that 25,000 to 75,000 civilians were killed – numbers that would eclipse the entire UN civilian death toll for the war.
**A Case Study in Erasure**
Take Bucha, where more than 400 bodies were found after Russian troops retreated in April 2022. Many of these victims had been shot at close range, with their hands tied behind their backs. In Izium, mass burial sites containing hundreds of civilians were uncovered, showing signs of torture. But what about the other cities and towns still under Russian occupation? The ones where phone lines are cut, media is silenced, and locals are too afraid to speak?
These areas remain inaccessible to international monitors, leaving a dark stain on our collective conscience. And when these places are liberated, the truth begins to emerge – but it’s often too late for those who have been lost.
**The Weight of Silence**
Kate Turska, a New Zealand citizen originally from Ukraine, has seen firsthand the devastating impact of Russia’s war on her homeland. She co-founded Mahi for Ukraine with a team of volunteers and has worked tirelessly to coordinate aid efforts and support the Ukrainian community in New Zealand.
As she notes, “The 13,000 figure is still cited – not because it’s accurate, but because it’s safe.” Journalists and policymakers lean on this undercount to avoid speculation. But what protects a reputation more: repeating an official undercount that serves Russian propaganda, or confronting uncomfortable truths?
**A Call to Action**
We must recognize the scale of the crime as it unfolds. We must demand action from our leaders and media outlets. The journalists who published the truth about Nazi atrocities during World War II are remembered for their courage – not for speculation.
Today, we face a similar choice: will we report on the true toll of Russia’s war in Ukraine, or will we opt for silence? Will we stand with the victims and their families, or will we let the perpetrators rewrite history?
The answer is clear. We must confront uncomfortable truths and demand justice for the tens – perhaps hundreds – of thousands of innocent lives lost in this senseless conflict.
**Read the full article on kyivindependent.com**
