I don’t even know how to combat the level of cognitive dissonance going on here. I have several starting points but you’re just going to continue refuting anything I say with baseless kremlin talking points that further marginalise the Ukrainian people.

There are Nazis, Socialists, Anarchists, Libertarians, Agrarianists, Monarchists in almost every single country and by association their military. As it stands, the Russian military states the eradication of the ukrainian people as a primary goal of their campaign. Though they call it “denazification” it’s just a more supported term for ethnic cleansing. The Kremlin has placed Nazi ideology at the centre of Ukrainian identity thus vilifying an entire nation of people. They have created a fear of “other” amongst their people and drive to dehumanise Ukrainians as fascist dogs.

What this is, political tactics right out of the actual Nazi playbook. Ukraine is labelled as a fascist state by Russia because it provides Casus Belli. They have looked at a vocal minority and a troubled history then used that to justify the idea that Ukrianians need to be erased for Wrongthink.

I do not refute that the AZOV battalion exists, I do not refute that nazis exist within Ukraine or their armed forces. What I do refute is that Nazism, Fascism and ethnic cleansing are the stated goal of the Ukrainian people, their government or their military. Ukraine has fought for a long time to cleanse their politik and ensure a bright future for their people.

What I suppose is that Fascism and Ethnic Cleansing are the stated goals of the Kremlin, their military and many of their people. The idea has just been sold under a centuries long buildup of lies. The only way Russia wins this completely is by changing hearts and minds. They have time and time again proved that they will accomplish this goal by wiping out entire towns of civilians, invading sovereign land, deporting natives and importing russians, then holding referendums at gun point.

Each step of the way, the threads of wool the Kremlin attempts to pull over our eyes have been transparent. Clear as day to all those who take a moment to analyse further than surface level rhetoric and shit flinging.

In Russia’s eyes, in their supporters eyes, Russia can do no wrong so long as Ukraine is worse. So Ukraine is painted as worse. When even Chinese diplomats call for an end to Russian aggression and the cleansing of Ukraine, when even China can say Russia has defiled internationally recognised borders; you don’t have to look far to see that Russia is projecting false accusations on Ukraine to remain “Clean” at home.

To add on to the Nazis in culture bit: John A. Macdonald slaughtered natives, initiated residential schools, Eisenhower supported fascist ideas, Churchill slaughtered Bangladeshis through inaction. We still name places for these people. We still remember their nation building. As time goes on and we become a more inclusive society we recognise the evils of their actions and slowly phase them out of the limelight. We have peace and security. We have the time to find new heroes. New stories and new dreams.

When has Ukraine been afforded the liberty to come together as a nation and lay down arms? For nations as burdened as Ukraine, Palestine, Afghanistan, often times the only heroes who exist are people who have had to do horrible things to make sure their country still exists tomorrow. When the fighting is done, when the swords are sheathed we can sit around and have philosophers build nations. Until such a time as Russia leaves Ukraine alone, they do not have the liberty to name Philosophers as heroes. History is always messy and it is the job of future generations, when the wars are over, to correct record for all to see.

TL;DR: If Russia left Ukraine alone for 10 fucking minutes maybe they could work on correcting the internal politics of their nation that has been struggling to survive thanks to Russian aggression.