RUSSIA: A War Book Based On War Crimes and Destruction
We are approaching the fourth anniversary of the start of the war in Ukraine. Over these years, Ukrainians have been subjected to relentless terror by Russia through a wide range of means—many of them amounting to war crimes, acts of terrorism, and the deliberate infliction of mass civilian suffering. On the front lines, the fighting has been brutal and unrelenting. Away from them, civilian life has offered little refuge. This is especially true now, as winter temperatures plunge and Russia continues to strike Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, leaving millions without heat, electricity, or basic security.
In this blog post, I want to focus on the methods Russia uses to terrorize Ukrainians. History shows that this approach is not new. From the era of the tsars through the Bolshevik revolution and beyond, Russia has relied on a war playbook rooted in brutality: targeting civilians, spreading fear, and engaging in ruthless, unethical tactics. These are actions that we in the West would never tolerate from our own armed forces—and should never accept from anyone else.
RUSSIAN WAR CRIMES IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR
To understand what is happening today, we need to look at history. During the Second World War, and in conflicts before and after it, mass violence against civilians was not merely an aberration within the Soviet military system; it was often tolerated and, at times, encouraged by those in positions of authority. As the Red Army advanced westward, widespread atrocities followed. These included mass executions, looting, deportations, and systematic sexual violence against civilian populations. Victims included ethnic Germans as well as Soviet citizens who had lived under German occupation.
These crimes were not simply the actions of a few rogue or exceptionally cruel soldiers. They occurred on a scale that points to a broader system in which terror and war crimes were tolerated, and sometimes incentivized, by the leadership. Civilian suffering was treated as a legitimate instrument of war. Rather than being regarded as protected non-combatants, civilians were often viewed as targets to be punished, subjugated, or removed if deemed necessary.
This history remains relevant because similar patterns can still be observed. The Soviet system normalized fear, brutality, and collective punishment as tools of state control. This is both to dominate its own population and to intimidate others. In many respects, modern Russia has revived elements of that legacy rather than decisively breaking from it. The same logic is visible today in Ukraine, where homes, hospitals, and energy infrastructure far from the front lines have been deliberately targeted. Examining patterns of Soviet conduct during the Second World War helps illuminate why such methods continue to resurface in contemporary conflicts.
I have written before about the suffering of civilians in Ukraine. It is a subject worth returning to, because we must not lose sight of the immense hardship Ukrainians have endured every single day since 24 February 2022. From the earliest hours of the full-scale invasion, Russian forces shelled residential neighborhoods indiscriminately. Evacuation routes were attacked, and civilians were killed in their homes, cars, and shelters. Time and again, Russian forces failed to distinguish between military and civilian targets. This is a clear violation of international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Conventions. From the outset, it was evident that Russia was prepared to use war crimes and brutal tactics in an attempt to force Ukraine to capitulate. Instead, these actions have strengthened Ukrainian resistance.
When Russian troops occupied towns and villages near the border, the scale and consistency of abuse became undeniable. The names of Bucha and Irpin are now etched into global memory. After these towns were liberated, mass graves were uncovered, along with evidence of executions, torture, and sexual violence. Civilians were found bound, shot, and left in the streets. Similar patterns of abuse followed wherever Russian forces established control, demonstrating that these were not isolated incidents but part of a systematic campaign. In numerous occupied areas, investigators discovered makeshift detention and torture sites bearing evidence of severe abuse.
As the war has dragged on and the front lines have stagnated, the suffering has not subsided. In occupied regions, repression and abuse continue. In areas under Ukrainian control, civilians remain frequent targets of missile and drone attacks. Hospitals, apartment buildings, trains, and railway stations have all been struck. Entire cities have been reduced to rubble. During the harsh winter months, Russia shifted its focus to Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, seeking to plunge millions into darkness and cold. The pattern is clear: civilian suffering remains central to the strategy.
FREEZING UKRAINE AS A WAY TO MAKE THEM CAPITULATE
Freezing Ukraine has become a deliberate method of warfare. Numerous reports show that Russia has intensified missile and drone strikes on power plants, heating facilities, and electrical grids. These attacks have left millions of Ukrainians without reliable electricity, heating, or running water as temperatures fall well below freezing. Civilians far from the front lines are forced into emergency shelters, warming centers, or improvised solutions simply to survive. The suffering is predictable, widespread, and indiscriminate and it emphasizes that the civilian population itself is being targeted.
In many areas, families endure indoor temperatures barely above 7°C while outside temperatures drop to –15 or even –20°C. Homes offer little protection from the cold. The consequences extend beyond human hardship; pets and livestock also suffer as basic services collapse under sustained attacks.
This strategy is widely described as the “weaponization of winter.” By striking energy infrastructure at the coldest time of year, when repairs are most difficult and the humanitarian consequences most severe, Russia appears to be seeking to exhaust Ukrainian society. The invaders try to erode morale, and pressure the country into submission. It fits a broader pattern in which civilian suffering is used as leverage rather than minimized, as required under international humanitarian law.
International observers and humanitarian organizations have warned that deliberately inflicting conditions of cold and deprivation on civilians may constitute a war crime. Despite widespread condemnation, the attacks continue. The pattern suggests that freezing Ukraine is not incidental damage from military operations, but a calculated effort to force capitulation through mass civilian hardship.
MY OPINION
My opinion is the same as before. We need to stop Russia at all costs. It's Ukrainians that are freezing today, but it can be the rest of Europe next winter. We can see that Russia and USA are aligning closer than ever. This means everyone in Europe is exposed and potentially alone if Russia decided to launch a conventional attack. But, more likely, they could launch a hybrid attack and target Europe's own fragile energy network. I am also writing this because I know that many Ukrainians are disappointed with their government because of the energy corruption scandal in the summer. They feel betrayed that Zelenskyy's closest allies put money in their pockets while the country is facing the biggest challenge since the Second World War. Some might even feel that these energy attacks are the Ukrainian government in cahoots with Russia. This is massively wrong, and should never be believed.
Besides terror, brutality, and civilians suffering, Russia is good at spreading lies and fake propaganda to support their war efforts. We must remain vigilant against misinformation because it can distort reality and blur the lines between aggressor and victim. Accepting false narratives not only disrespects the suffering of millions of Ukrainians but also undermines the global effort to hold perpetrators accountable. In times of war, truth is a weapon as crucial as any defense system, and defending it is essential to ensure justice, solidarity, and the protection of innocent lives.
CONCLUSION
Russia’s conduct in Ukraine reflects a broader historical pattern in which civilian suffering is treated not as collateral damage, but as a tool of war. From the earliest days of the invasion, Russia engaged in indiscriminate shelling, attacks on evacuation routes, and atrocities in places such as Bucha and Irpin. This has evolved into the systematic destruction of cities and critical energy infrastructure, especially during the winter months, demonstrating a consistent pattern. Civilians have been targeted through violence, deprivation, and fear in an apparent effort to break morale and force submission.
The deliberate destruction of heating, electricity, and water systems during freezing temperatures demonstrates how cold and deprivation have been weaponized. Such actions are not only devastating for Ukraine; they challenge the foundations of international humanitarian law and the basic principle that civilians must be protected in war. Recognizing this strategy for what it is — a method of warfare built on civilian suffering — is essential if it is to be confronted and held to account.
Comments
Post a Comment