IT is incredible how a former actor and comedian can lead his small, beleaguered nation and withstand the onslaught of one of the most powerful military powers in the world. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy leads his country as it battles its autocratic neighbor, Russia, on all fronts as the latter relentlessly launches massive attacks by land, air and sea. As his country’s commander-in-chief, Zelenskyy has demonstrated unflinching courage in the face of a formidable and ruthless enemy. The fierce Russian army is trying to enter the capital city, Kyiv, where Zelenskyy and his top government officials are holed up with their loyal troops.
The US government has offered to evacuate him to safety, but Zelenskyy flatly refused the offer. Instead, he boldly replied that “the fight is here and what I need is anti-tank ammunition, not a ride” to safety. As the hostilities enter the 6th day, Russia continues to rain Ukraine with artillery and cruise missiles. The heavy shelling reverberates around the cities and important military installations. As I am writing this, according to US intelligence, over 300 missiles have been launched hitting not only military targets but civilian infrastructure as well. Residential apartments and non-military government buildings were hit, killing an undetermined number of civilians.
In the face of overwhelming enemy forces, Zelenskyy boldly asserted: “We are not going to lay down our weapons. We will protect the country. Our weapon is our truth, and our truth is that it’s our land, our country, and our children. And we will defend all of that.” It is obvious that his overwhelmed military forces will bravely stand up to the powerful Russian army. Zelenskyy will stay put to confront the enemy, and his forces despite all the odds will not surrender just to buy peace and prostrate themselves to a tyrannical regime that craves to rebuild the Soviet empire.
The embattled country remains on edge as the Russian forces relentlessly attack Kyiv to take control of the capital. Battles rage on all fronts —north, east and south of the capital. To reinforce its firepower, the Ukrainian government has called on its population to arms. Long queues are seen all over Kyiv and major cities where thousands of able-bodied men are signing up for military service. In a couple of days, 15,000 automatic rifles, grenade launchers and other light weapons were distributed to volunteers. This disproves Russian President Vladimir Putin’s lies that Zelenskyy does not have the support of the people of Ukraine. Russia severely criticized the arming of the civilians and warned that it would cause unnecessary accidents and numerous casualties. But the ordinary Ukrainians are undeterred. Armed with small weapons, civilians now patrol the streets. Others who cannot join the military have presented themselves to do volunteer initiatives to lend support to the war efforts. They do medical aid, pack food supplies and ammunition, donate blood and provide intelligence information such as the Russian troops movements. They are ready to die for their country. Everyone is determined to oppose tyranny, fight evil forces obsessed with power and hatred. They are prepared to offer their lives to protect the freedom they gained after the USSR disintegrated.
Putin claimed a couple of days ago that they offered to talk and negotiate to end the war but Ukraine declined to negotiate. But former Ukraine president, Petro Poroshenko, said in an interview with CNN that the world should not trust Putin. “I want to ask all the CNN viewers, all the people of the world, with one very simple request: Please don’t trust Putin. And, two, don’t be afraid of Putin.” Putin claimed that he ordered half of his troops to halt their advance pending negotiations but attacks were resumed when Zelenskyy refused to talk. Poroshenko declared that he is proud of his people and country for facing the enemy in battle. He said that Ukrainians are willing to die to defend Ukraine. “I hate the idea of having my country occupied… All the young and the old people fully understand that we have the risk… But many make a decision to take the rifle and to protect the nation. I’m proud of these people. I’m proud of this country, and I’m proud to be a Ukrainian.” Ukrainians offered stiff resistance as heavy fighting continued to repulse the invaders.
Ukrainians are brave and proud people. The word surrender is Greek to them. For instance, in Bakhmach, a northern city in Ukraine, local residents bravely stood in front of Russian tanks to prevent them from advancing. CNN reported that people on the streets knelt in front of the tanks to obstruct their path. “They are just throwing themselves under the wheels.” Despite their heavy losses, the country’s morale is high and people are determined to defend their country at all costs.
Ukraine, previously known as Soviet Ukraine, was one of the constituent republics of the Soviet Union from 1922 until the dissolution of the USSR in 1991. It became an independent state in 1991 after the breakup of the Soviet Union. It has close to 50 million population. Ukraine has adopted the democratic system of government and has freely elected its leaders. European Union countries have become its biggest trading partners, replacing Russia. It has expressed its desire to join the EU and Nato to the extreme disgust of Russia, as expected. By invading Ukraine, Russia seeks to overthrow a democratically elected government. Its desire is to oust the present leadership under Zelenskyy. Putin wants to install his own puppet government, which will be strongly pro-Moscow. Zelenskyy claims that Putin has designated him as target number 1, and his family as target number 2. This is the first time since WWII that a major European power invaded its neighbor without any justification. This reminds us how Nazi Germany annexed Poland, which eventually resulted to the Second World War. This marks the darkest days since 1939 when Germany made its intention clear to gobble up European countries. But Ukraine is giving the world a neat lesson on how to oppose an aggressor and a bully. Russia may eventually succeed with its evil design, but the Ukrainians’ unparalleled heroism will go a long way in demonstrating that patriotism cannot be stifled by the mightiest military power. They show us how to die for their country and their conviction. As our national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal, has once said: “One only dies once, and if one does not die well, a good opportunity is lost and will not present itself again.” And another Filipino martyr echoed it when he declared: “If a people cannot fight for their freedom, they do not deserve it.”