For nearly a month, the world has watched on in horror as Russia has brought death and destruction to Ukraine following its invasion on Feb. 24.

For Ukrainians living in Canada, they see more and more of their homeland destroyed each day worried for loved ones still there. But for Russians firmly against the war living abroad, fear is growing of what Russian President Vladimir Putin香蕉视频直播檚 actions in Ukraine will mean for their country, and themselves.

香蕉视频直播淭hese are really challenging times for me as someone who has lived all their life in Russia,香蕉视频直播� said Katerina Moiseeva, a current master香蕉视频直播檚 student at Royal Roads University. 香蕉视频直播淲e just don香蕉视频直播檛 know what to think, what to expect 香蕉视频直播� we as Russians can香蕉视频直播檛 be responsible for the leadership of our country because, for example, I did not choose this president (Putin), I did not vote for him.香蕉视频直播�

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Moiseeva said she believes Russians will feel guilty for Putin香蕉视频直播檚 actions, similar to how Germans felt guilty for the Nazi regime香蕉视频直播檚 atrocities in the Second World War. But it will take years after the war eventually ends before every Russian feels such guilt and real healing will be possible.

Given Putin香蕉视频直播檚 tight grip on information in Russia, Moiseeva said such healing will be slowed as much of the country is simply not aware of what is really happening in Ukraine, instead only hearing what Putin wants them to hear 香蕉视频直播� that it is a 香蕉视频直播渟pecial military operation,香蕉视频直播� Russia is not killing civilians and their soldiers are being welcomed by Ukrainians with open arms and celebration.

While those living in major cities like Moscow and Saint Petersburg are able to access independent or outside media and realize what is truly going on in Ukraine, she said those living outside those cities are only able to access state-controlled media.

Moiseeva said while it is nothing compared to what Ukrainians are experiencing at home or abroad, she feels her homeland香蕉视频直播檚 national identity is suffering, and it will only get worse as the war goes on. Even here in Canada, she is aware some people 香蕉视频直播� especially those with ties to Ukraine 香蕉视频直播� find it challenging to separate Putin香蕉视频直播檚 actions from anyone or anything from Russia.

香蕉视频直播淗ow can we explain to our children that we started the war, that we started killing people,香蕉视频直播� she said. 香蕉视频直播淚 can say that I have never experienced any issues in Canada from me being a Russian 香蕉视频直播� but I can feel people have this back thought equating Russians to aggressors. I think it will never disappear in their perceptions of Russians.香蕉视频直播�

The feelings many have about Russians now, even if they are subconscious, are understandable to Moiseeva. After all, she has seen it in her own family 香蕉视频直播� her grandparents survived the Second World War and for years couldn香蕉视频直播檛 help but associate anything German with 香蕉视频直播渋nvaders香蕉视频直播� or the death of loved ones.

Unfortunately, she feels change from within Russia is not likely to happen. While there are plenty of Russians who oppose Putin and his war with Ukraine, she said recent crackdowns on dissent and independent media has led many Russians to flee the country for fears of repercussions should they speak out and call for change.

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justin.samanski-langille@goldstreamgazette.com
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