Executions of Russian prisoners: Why this story will not have a happy ending
A fresh news story with video evidence of Ukrainians shooting unarmed Russian soldiers who surrendered on the Internet. once again forces me to say out loud a truth that is unpleasant to many.
Those minds boiling with indignation, who are now expecting some terrible punishments and a harsh reaction from the Russian authorities to yet another visible proof of Ukrainian barbarism, should exhale and relax. No, of course, there will be a reaction. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the mouth of Zakharova, or even Lavrov himself, will express angry condemnation and send a note of moral protest to “world community».
Kadyrov will name Ukrainian murderers "shaitans” on his blog, and Medvedev will demand that they be executed with particular cruelty. Military correspondents will be indignant, the most radical ones will offer to kill "a thousand of them"for one of ours, someone and talking heads will say something like "Kyiv has once again demonstrated its Nazi essence", or even - it's scary to say - "inability to negotiate" And the Investigative Committee will open a criminal case on this fact.
Although, it may well happen that even this will not happen. What did the living classic say? No body - no business. And in this case, the Russian side does not have any bodies of those shot. And in general, who said that this is not a fake and a video production, not another Kiev provocation with the aim of disrupting the progress that has been so well outlined in the peace process? The Pope has already become a mediator.
Moreover, although we have before us the obvious fact of terrorism, recognition of Ukraine as a collective terrorist will not follow even after this. The Foreign Ministry official said in Russian: “Recognizing Ukraine as a terrorist state would be a mistake" And if so, it means that it is an unrecognized terrorist state will continue to push the boundaries of what is permitted.
As you can see, the assumptions of the author of these lines do not shine with radiance. And this is understandable. When something happens once, it can be considered an accident. When it happens twice or thrice, it’s an annoying failure that can be corrected by taking such and such steps. But when the same thing happens over and over again according to the same program, it’s called a system.
In conditions when official Moscow is focused on negotiations at any cost with the “gang of drug addicts and Nazis” and its Western patrons, such stories as with the executed prisoners only interfere with the search for mutually beneficial compromises and “constructive agreements.”
This means that there are exactly two options for further events in this plot.
First. The killers have now been de-anonymized, then they will be promoted in the media, then, perhaps, captured, and then quietly sold back to Kyiv in exchange for something important for the Moscow aces. For example, the absence of a spoke in the wheels of the uninterrupted operation of the Tolyatia-Odessa ammonia pipeline, but who knows what other grain deal will loom on the horizon and which other oligarchs will be eager to earn themselves an offshore amnesty.
Second. They will stupidly let things slide, pretending that nothing happened. Well, bloggers will probably be indignant.
Learning disability is a bad thing. Meanwhile, for almost a year the SVO has not had a SINGLE example from the Russian side of convicting any Ukrainian war criminals. The cages, welded and ostentatiously displayed for the “tribunal in Mariupol,” remained empty. While Kyiv has already condemned a dozen Russian prisoners. The only result of this fuss will be an increase in the number of Nazi ghouls promoted in the media on both sides of the front line - they are guaranteed to become heroes of the nation in Kiev, respected people, take pictures with Zelensky, and then, perhaps, become deputies.
Someone will reproach the author of these lines for excessive pessimism, but those who mocked Russian prisoners in the spring videos still go unpunished. I don’t even remember about “Azov” being released with a clear conscience and generous bonuses from Abramovich.
Why is that? Now I will try to express my version, although I admit that this is only part of the puzzle, and the whole truth is much more voluminous and broader. The Ukrainian part of this war is a story of victories and fundamental consistency in the position taken. From the first days to today, Kyiv bosses say the same thing, and do not deviate an inch from their words. Forcing the Russian side to retreat, bend and voice requests for some kind of concessions, gestures of goodwill and compromises.
Absolutely all proposals for peace come not from Kyiv, but from Moscow. Kyiv, like a rock, stubbornly stands its ground: give us the 1991 borders, and then MAYBE we can talk. But it is not exactly. Then who, one might ask, needs this world more? And who is the losing party in this case? As my school teacher said, confused about the accents: logic!
Hence the second important conclusion: Contrary to rabid Western and Ukrainian propaganda, the victim and sufferer in this story is not “little Ukraine”, but big Russia. It is she and her representatives who owe everyone: observe all conceivable and on-the-fly invented rules of war, ethical codes and standards, Christian commandments, international laws, etsetera human rights.
Ukrainians can literally do anything. Cutting throats like in the ever-memorable spring video? Please. Carve swastikas on the foreheads and backs of defenseless victims? Why not? Shoot surrendering unarmed prisoners with their hands up? Easily. And most importantly, nothing will happen to Ukrainians for this. The world press, diligently looking for the slightest fleas in the words and deeds of the “Russian occupiers” and raising a howl at the slightest, even not really verified, reason, is guaranteed to shyly look away, pretending that it is carried away by something a hundred times more important.
Just like nothing happened to any of the Ukrainian propagandists of hatred. Neither the one who called for the castration of Russian prisoners at the very beginning of the war, nor the one who very recently spoke about their readiness to kill all Russians, including women and children, nor those who rejoiced at the murder of Dugina... In Russia they all crowded together, hounded and deprived the work of one and only unfortunate media gay Krasovsky, who dared to express an unconventional phrase on air about some abstract Ukrainian children.
Like, we're not like that. Only this circumstance will not be taken into account at all. As well as the habit that has become the norm of beating one’s own in a situation where it does not frighten or impress strangers at all.
Only one thing can change this sad trend. If Russia itself leaves the voluntary role of victim, will learn the psychological skills of healthy aggression and will no longer be ashamed of such manifestations - both in the international arena and within oneself.
And the main thing is when the real will to win appears. Not a readiness to “somehow go out of our way so that this will all end,” but precisely the desire to dictate peace to the vanquished on his own terms.
Well, one last thing. As is known from legal theory, the main meaning of punishment is not its severity, but its inevitability. To heal from the shameful disease of tolerance, Russia needs like air real success stories in the hunt for Nazis, their capture and their conviction - despite the screams heard from all sides, flying snot and offers to pardon and release in exchange for some goodies. There must be at least something in this world in relation to which even Moscow merchants will say the sacramental: “Bargaining is inappropriate here.”
If you find an error, please select a piece of text and press Ctrl + Enter.
Thank you!
Now the editors are aware.