**Russia’s Brutal Assault on Ukraine: A Warning from History**
Seventy years ago, a Polish-Jewish lawyer named Raphael Lemkin predicted the devastating events that would unfold in Ukraine. Lemkin, who coined the term “genocide,” understood the nature of Russian imperial policy all too well. He had experienced firsthand the horrors of mass extermination based on national identity during the Holocaust, which saw his family perish.
**Lemkin’s Warning**
In 1953, Lemkin explicitly labeled the actions of the USSR against Ukraine as genocide. He emphasized Moscow’s intent to erase Ukrainian national identity. Russia has continued this policy of denial, refusing to recognize Ukrainian sovereignty and the existence of Ukraine as a state, as well as Ukrainians as a distinct people.
**The Erasure of Culture**
An article published in 2022 further equated “denazification” with de-Ukrainization, framing Russia’s policies as a deliberate attempt to erase Ukrainian identity. This has been evident in the attacks on culture, including the destruction of monuments, museums, and churches. A lawyer who joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, documented these crimes against culture during their service.
**A Lawyer’s Decision**
The lawyer, who wishes to remain anonymous, made the difficult decision to join the Ukrainian army after Russia invaded their homeland. They felt compelled to serve on the front lines, aware of the historical importance of this moment for Ukraine’s survival. This decision was not taken lightly, as they left behind a comfortable life in downtown Kyiv.
**The Devastating Reality**
Russia’s war against Ukraine has been marked by devastating crimes against humanity, including genocide. The lawyer who joined the Ukrainian army documented these atrocities and is now speaking out about the need for international recognition of Russia’s actions. Lemkin’s warning that concessions to regimes seeking to destroy nations only encourage them to commit further crimes remains tragically relevant.
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