"We Can Never Forgive This"

The brutal and criminal Russian missile and drone attacks on Odesa, Ukraine over the past week have destroyed numerous cultural and religious landmarks, seeking to erase Ukraine's history in revenge for its resistance to Russia's invasion. From the New York Times:

"Standing on a bridge overlooking the road to Odesa’s main port, Nina Sulzhenko surveyed the damage wrought by a recent Russian missile strike: The House of Scientists, one of the Ukrainian city’s best-loved buildings, was in shambles. The mansion’s destroyed gardens spilled down over a ruined residential complex, and burned bricks lay strewn across the sidewalk.

“I feel pain, and I want revenge,” said Ms. Sulzhenko, 74. “I don’t have the words to say what we should do to them.”

She gestured toward other buildings in various stages of ruin. “Look at the music school! Look at what they did! The fact that those who live next to us, and lived among us, could do this to us — we can never forgive this. Never.”  (our emphasis)

It was evil enough when Russia attacked the port and grain storage facilities in Odesa, causing growing shortages of grain and other agricultural products that would be shipped to Africa. Their attacks on churches, museums and other landmarks is deeply odious, even for Putin's henchmen. Another victim of Russia's brutality is restaurant owner Savva Libkin, who has seen a severe drop off in guests and limits on the type of food served at his restaurant:

"On a recent breezy summer evening, less than one-third of the tables were occupied. The menu no longer includes fish from the Black Sea waters, the staple of the region’s Jewish-infused cuisine. Mussels are also off the menu because of the environmental damage wrought by the explosion of the Kakhovka Dam. And with the regular air-raid alarms, many Odesans have been staying home.

'There is no one who is not scared,' said Mr. Libkin. 'But there is no Odesan who does not drink to Putin’s death. Every day in this country begins with a toast to Putin’s death.'

Mr. Libkin said that much of his staff had joined the army, but he wants to keep his restaurant open to maintain the pleasure-seeking character of the city. Each morning, his chefs prepare food for the soldiers trying to defend the skies over Odesa."  (our emphasis)

War criminal Putin has done a thorough job of making Ukrainians detest him and his Russian invaders for generations to come. Add to that a wrecked Russian economy, a stronger and larger NATO, and the International Criminal Court with a warrant out for his arrest. Now, the U.S. and its NATO (and Asian) allies need to commit themselves to providing Ukraine not only with defensive weapons to blunt Russia's heinous attacks, but offensive weapons in quality and quantity enough to enable them to push Russian forces out of their country and to keep them out.

(photo: Transfiguration Cathedral in Odesa, Ukraine, Jae C. Hong / AP)