The invasion of Ukraine by Russia this past Thursday has thrown much of the world into disarray, even this insignificant blog. Honestly, I had initially hoped to write about Uncharted which Glory and I saw during her Reading Week.
Then I figured I would have to write about possible global responses to Russia's toppling of an independent democracy and replacing it with a puppet ruler or military governor or whatever, but surprise! Four days in and the capital city of Kyiv has somehow kept Russian forces out, as have most of Ukraine's major cities.
Meanwhile, global opposition to Putin's brutal aggression continues to grow and metastasize in myriad ways: lineups form at Russian ATMs as the SWIFT system prepares to give Russian banks the boot, the UEFA Champions League final is being moved from St. Petersburg while most global sides refuse to play against Russia in this year's World Cup qualifying matches, the list of nations denying use of their airspace to Russian aircraft grows almost hourly, and money, aid and weapons pour into Ukraine from surprising quarters like Germany, Sweden and even the EU itself.
As I write this it is a little past 1:00 am in Ukraine, and there are reports of a 3.25 mile-long convoy of Russian vehicles making its way to the besieged capital, with much of it assumed to be logistical support. It seems very likely now that Putin (and others, myself included) underestimated the steely will of the Ukrainian people as they rally to defend their homeland as they did 80 years ago.
This resistance that seemed so futile to so many in the face of overwhelming numerical and technical superiority has given rise to many stories of inspiration and heroism that I am writing down for my own posterity as much as anything else, filling a continuum from supernatural entities to the everyman and everywoman.
THE SPIRITUAL
Literally iconic, as well as iconoclastic, the image of the mother of Jesus bearing the colours and tryzub of Ukraine and carrying a Javelin anti-tank missile is circulating on Ukrainian social media.
I am personally mesmerized by this depiction of Mary Magdalene, at once comforting and offputting. I think I can understand why Kyiv's defenders would rally around such a picture; these are not all soldiers following orders or "continuing policy by other means" in the words of Clausewitz - these are people defending their very homes and fundamental freedoms.
It is also notable that Ukraine has only had access to this potent anti-armour weapon since 2018 - I suppose it probably feels like a gift from the divine in many ways.
THE LEGENDARY
It is highly unlikely that the rumoured one-day ace, "The Ghost of Kyiv" actually exists. The likelihood of even a talented Mig-29 Fulcrum pilot downing six enemy aircraft in such a short timespan is infinitesimal.
But not impossible.
Here is what we know: Putin fully expected to have complete air superiority very early in this invasion, and four days later, they still do not have it. Russian planes have been lost, and Ukrainian air defenses have performed better than anticipated. And a former Ukrainian president says the Ghost is real, and posted a picture, even though no official acknowledgement has ever been given.
Do I believe in a man in a red suit who lives at the North Pole and crosses the globe in a single day every Christmas, delivering toys to children? No, I don't. But do I honestly feel that when we give to others in the dead of winter that we are acting as the proxies of this legendary saint? Yes, Virginia, I do.
So is it possible that when an outgunned and beleaguered Ukrainian pilot settles their reticle on a Russian Flanker or Fulcrum, or even when they climb back into the cockpit and prepare to face death, he or she might as well be the Ghost of Kyiv? Maybe. And do I think such a hero can be a potent boost to morale even if he isn't truly real? Yes, I do.
Do I desperately hope the Ghost is real and wish him shchaslyvoho polyuvannya (happy hunting)? Absolutely.
The title of a recent article on The Warzone perhaps says it best: "The ‘Ghost of Kyiv’ Is The Mythical Hero Ukraine Needs Right Now."
THE POLITICAL
Wartime leadership is a peculiar thing, with very few indicators as to who will manifest it in a crunch - some people simply rise to the occasion. Fortunately, former comedian and current President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskiy seems to be such a man.
Zelenskiy seems to divide his time between helping to coordinate his country's defenses, delivering inspirational messages to his countrymen from the streets of Kyiv, and negotiating with world leaders for things like Russia's expulsion from SWIFT and Turkey limiting the access of Russian warships to the Black Sea. Sleep does not seem to be a factor in his activities.
Besides, how can anyone be expected to sleep when they know they are likely to be target number one for the Russian invaders? And that their family is target number two?
And yet, when offered the chance to evacuate by the United States, his undoubtedly earnest answer had all the sass of a movie hero: "I need ammunition, not a ride."
Tomorrow he intends to meet with a Russian delegation in Pripyat, the town closest to the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. I have a hard time picturing most heads of state displaying this much casual bravery, and dearly hope he survives this ruthless incursion.
THE MILITARY
There was a recent swelling in the ranks of Ukraine's army prior to Putin's invasion, and while certainly not eager for war, the armed forces have been resolute in defense of their nation.
A now legendary radio exchange between an alleged Russian navy warship and the border guards on Zmminyi Island (aka Snake Island) ended with a Ukrainian responding to a demand to surrender with "Russian warship, go fuck yourself" prior to being bombarded and presumably slain (but maybe not?).
When the time came to blow up a bridge leading to Kyiv, there was no time to do so remotely so Vitaly Skakun said goodbye to his comrades before doing so manually.
And this is to say nothing about the impressive toll Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs claims they are exacting against the Russian invader:
THE CITIZENRY
But my greatest admiration is for the citizens of Ukraine who have stayed to defend their homes. Males aged 18-60 are prohibited from leaving the country anyways, but the range of people who have taken up arms is astonishing. Very few have military experience, and while some have been issued surplus Kalashnikov rifles, others have brought shotguns and even pistols from home. Some of those manning the barricades have no guns at all, but have sworn to use knives or even a hammer, if it should come to that.
A 31-year-old teacher in Kharkiv said, “I’m not a military guy. But if it comes to it I will take a fucking machine gun before I die like this and sit inside being shot, if they storm the basement. Better to die with arms in your hands.”
I am always down for a good cocktail party, but in Kyiv this means groups of civilians gathering to form ad hoc assembly lines producing Molotov cocktails.
Here is footage of a man desperately trying to stop a Russian tank with his body.
In fairness, this action, doomed to failure, could be attributed as easily to desperation as to bravery. This woman in Henychesk though, exhibits tremendous courage in confronting these Russian soldiers face to face, with no weapon besides righteous verbal excoriation:
Here is the transcript because I think this exchange is amazing:
Lastly, cheers to the Russian civilians bravely protesting this unjust invasion in their own country, and facing arrest because of it - more than 5000 detained so far, according to OVD-Info. Seeing people stand up to an actual tyrant following the Freedumb Convoy antics here in Canada is proving to be quite the mental sorbet and gives me hope for a reasonable outcome to all this.
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I hope and pray that Zelenskiy's meeting in Pripyat tomorrow results in something, anything, positive, and that this heroic president returns safely.
As nuclear forces are put on alert by Putin, prompting a similar response from the U.S. in a reaction as predetermined as the swing of a Newton's Cradle, I hope and pray that cooler heads prevail before an even larger tragedy unfolds before us.
I hope and pray that Putin, a dangerous egomaniac if ever there was one, finds some way acceptable to him to withdraw and end this senseless and illegal occupation quickly before his country's reputation is irrevocably tarnished and its economy damaged for generations. (The European Commerce Bank predicts two state-backed banks in Russia are likely to fail tomorrow, and the ruble dropped 30% against the dollar when the markets opened in Moscow this morning.
I hope the Ghost of Kyiv and the Ukrainian Reaper, and the other legends growing out of this conflict turn out to be real but exaggerated, and if they are not, I hope they continue to inspire Ukrainians and intimidate Putin's forces.
I hope and pray that the Ukrainian people can hold out another day, maybe a whole week, long enough for - I don't know what.
And if the invaders insist on pushing forward, and that results in more sunflowers across Ukraine where the aggressors fell, well, I guess that is just how it is.
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