I wanted to write this article mainly as a tribute to the innocent children in Donbass who have lived under the hell of shelling, sniping, and mine explosions for 8 years, for the many sweet, innocent angels who were murdered by Ukrainian forces, and for those who have lost so much, including in many cases their parents or other close members of their families, their friends, and the innocence of childhood. This is not meant in any way to minimize the suffering of the adults who have also tragically lost so much and suffered so heavily. But it is written in the hope that western readers, of which a huge proportion remain in the dark thanks to western propaganda and downright lies of their governments, can begin to understand why Russian forces entered the DPR and LPR republics in February 2022, and could not allow this genocide to continue. It has gone on for far too long.
An old Native American saying comes to mind – “We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.” The children are our future, the future of mankind, and they and their futures must be protected from all corruption, Nazism, and evil.
For over 8 years, since the Maidan coup in Kiev, and Donbass’s rejection of the CIA-installed government, the children in Donbass have along with their families and communities been targeted indiscriminately by Ukrainian armed forces in civilian frontline areas of the DPR and LPR, in both city areas and many tiny and quiet rural settlements. Their homes, schools, playgrounds, and gardens have been shelled often on a daily basis for days and nights, weeks, months and years on end. The Ukrainian forces, which include a large numbers of Nazi regiments, have used snipers, drones, mines and cluster bombs (which when used fall foul of international laws as per the Convention on Cluster Munitions) and the evidence is clear that they have been fully supported financially and armed and even trained by NATO countries, most notably the US and UK.
Since the start of Russia’s special operation in Ukraine on 24 February 2022, the western MSM and governments have done their utmost to blind their readers and populaces to the horrifying facts of this 8-year genocide perpetrated by Ukrainian forces and NATO on innocent people, and have promoted a pro-Ukrainian stance. Many people in the west are completely ignorant about the suffering of the people in Donbass since 2014 and fail to consider this when adding their yellow blue flags to their social media accounts and at the same time condemning Russia for “invading” eastern Ukraine.
In June 2021, it was stated that over 154 children of all ages had been murdered by the Ukrainian armed forces, and 146 injured through shelling and mines. This figure is clearly far higher now, a year later, and some reports suggest over 250 children have died. On average 2 or 3 people including children have been killed per day for the past 8 years, reaching to over 14,000. Many children have been orphaned, and many people have lost one or more generations of their family, as well as friends and members of their communities. Since February, thousands have been misplaced, and driven out of their homes by the Ukrainian Nazi forces that have been using civilian homes and areas to hide out in, in effect, cruelly using civilians as human shields.
Throughout the 8 years, children in Donbass near frontline areas have not been able to safely play outside because of the dangers of snipers, shelling, or mines and many have been living in bunkers underground for sometimes long periods with their families and neighbours. In many cases, the food supply, water supply and power are unavailable for periods of time due to damage from shelling. The bunkers or cellars are generally basic storage areas and the ones I have seen in video reports by journalists in the area could not be called comfortable in any way, particularly for long periods. But in these, they are safer than living above ground inside their homes.
Most of the children have little if anything to do in the bunkers/cellars apart from maybe drawing. Babies who have been born into this life often cannot easily learn to crawl or walk because of the lack of space in the bunkers. Schools and kindergartens have been shelled, and some have been closed for long periods. Even when the shelling appears quiet for a time, children and adults who are outside are often left to run for cover in terror when it suddenly starts up again. There are many videos on YouTube showing the tragic results of shelling and drone attacks. I have added a few links below and throughout.(In Memory of the Children of Donbass) (Save the Children of Donbass)
Patrick Lancaster, an American ex-navy vet and independent journalist who lives in Donetsk with his family (although his wife and children are currently in Russia) conducts interviews with civilians living near the frontlines and films the conditions in which the families are living, as well as evidence of destruction to properties and loss of life due to Ukrainian forces’ shelling. He is often among some of the first to arrive after or during a shelling, capturing the raw pain, and shock of the citizens. These three videos show the results of very recent Ukrainian shellings on local communities – but there are a large number of other videos from throughout the past 8 years available on YT. (Cluster Bomb Seriously Injured 12 Year Old Boy) (Maternity Hospital Hit by Rockets in Donetsk, Mothers, Nurses and Doctors Blame Ukraine).(Journalists Under Fire).
Another excellent journalist/war correspondent and humanitarian activist is the well-known and much loved Russell “Texas” Bentley. Originally from the USA, he sold up and moved to Donbass in 2014 after watching the atrocities being conducted by the US in Ukraine and being unable to stand back and not do something. He has lived in Donetsk, Donbass for 8 years; initially he joined the DPR defence forces as a soldier, is a long-standing war correspondent and since 2015, a human aid volunteer. He lives in Donetsk with his wife and family, some five miles from the frontline. Russell works locally, especially for the kids, rebuilding homes, schools, orphanages and kindergartens that have been bombed by the Ukrainian Nazis, as well as organising special days and delivery of essentials and sometimes treats for the young ones who are living such difficult lives in a warzone. He has collected and organised humanitarian aid deliveries to the many families and elderly who are struggling to survive.
I asked Russell if he would be kind enough to give me some direct insight into how the war affects the children and I truly appreciate his input and help. As expected, it has inflicted untold damage on the children, and their natural development and personalities have been heavily affected. No child should have to live in a war situation, to have their innocence taken away from them without the chance to live carefree childhoods before having to learn the harsh realities of our corrupt and often terrifying world. To see children become accustomed to the suffering, danger and death as Russell has witnessed first-hand for such a long time is truly heart breaking. The children of course, as do all children living through the many US/UK proxy wars across the world, become fearless, hardened and strong, and sadly understand from a young age that life can randomly end at any moment, with no warning.
Despite living under such hellish circumstances, under the threat of attack every day and unable to take their guards down, the kids (and adults) show incredible endurance and bravery as well as a strong sense of community. The many videos I have watched over the past years all demonstrate the stoic bravery, warmth, and solidarity among the people. But according to Russell the true miracle, and it really is, of this war is that the children, despite the daily horrors they experience, have retained their humanity, and have not become like the malignant social misfits seen across the West, particularly the US. I would like to finish this short article by quoting a comment by Russell, because to me, it’s an extremely poignant and relevant point we should all keep in mind.
“In spite of it all, the kids here have learned the most important skill of any soldier, which is to always maintain your Humanity. The kids here have done that. Hardship for them has bred not brutality but courage and compassion and I feel not pity but love and pride for them. They are the future, not only of our Republic but of Humanity itself. I have often said “As Donbass goes, so goes the world” As long as there are kids like ours there is still hope.”
I intend to expand on this article in the future (with permissions) with a series of articles relating the lives of some of the innocent angels who were taken in such brutal ways, and the stories of the ones who are still here on this Earth and praying with all of us for a better future.
by -Sasha V
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