SLAVIC WAR: Russia Invaded Ukraine a Year Ago Today (published 2-24-2023; article #391)

Introduction

Friday greetings, dear reader. I trust that you are well. Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and I are doing well enough.

The 2022 Slavic War is one of twenty topic sections on this website. The section contains five previous articles, regarding the 2/24/2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. This article, the sixth that section, marks the first anniversary of the invasion. The five previous articles are as follows. I re-read each article yesterday. I did not change a word.

2022 SLAVIC WAR: THE RUSSIAN INVASION OF THE UKRAINE (published 3-8-2022; article #300)

2022 SLAVIC WAR: THE RUSSIAN INVASION OF THE UKRAINE – DAY 25 (published 3-20-2022; article #309)

5-9-2022 VE DAY RUSSIA - MY THOUGHTS, WITH REMARKS ON THE 2022 SLAVIC WAR: THE RUSSIAN INVASION OF THE UKRAINE (published 5-12-2022; article #323)

2022 MEMORIAL DAY MUSINGS: McDonald's Russia, MTSU Shooting, Uvalde Texas Shooting, “Amerika” (published 5-30-2022; article #331)

2022 SLAVIC WAR: 8-24-1991 Ukraine Independence Day & 2-24-2022 Russian Invasion of Ukraine (published 8-24-2022; article #348)

Two Tragedies

The national and international media have been providing the relentless and countless details -- on the loss of life, destruction, devastation, and chaos that the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine continues to spawn.

This section highlights only two tragedies, of many, that I know. I have online contact with brothers and sisters in Christ, who are from either Russia or Ukraine. A young sister in Christ, whose name and situation I know, has mentioned the following two tragedies.

First, on 10/18/2022, she stated, “My brother got call-up paper.” Her article included two photographs. One was her brother's draft notice, for Russian military service. The other was her brother in a wheelchair. The tragedy is that the Russian military tried to draft a young man, who is confined to a wheelchair, due to his disabilities. The article was shocking.

Finally, on 2/17/2023, she referenced an article about a young man, only 20 years old, from Pechora, in the Komi Republic of northern Russia. The young man had killed himself, to avoid being drafted into the Russian army. The article states that his suicide was because “he did not want to go kill people in Ukraine.”

These are only two of a countless number of tragedies that the Russian invasion of Ukraine has caused.

The Moscow Times

At 10:02 AM today, I received the usual Friday email from The Moscow Times, which began by stating:

One year ago, Russia sent troops across the border into Ukraine — an act that has led to countless military and civilian deaths, fundamentally altered life for millions, upturned the global economy, and shattered the post-Cold War security order.

The Ukraine War section of The Moscow Times includes a plethora of information about Russia's invasion of Ukraine. That section includes “The Photos That Have Defined Russia's One-Year Invasion of Ukraine,” published today, 2/24/2023.

That article has twenty-one photographs, with notations, from 2/24/2022 to 2/16/2023. (The last two photographs, including the 2/16/2023 image, are dated in 2022, not 2023, probably in error.)

The sixth photograph, of the twenty-one total, is dated 3/9/2022. The caption reads, with my emboldening added for emphasis:

A pregnant woman is carried from a maternity hospital in Mariupol after it was hit by shelling, sparking global outcry. The woman and her baby later died.

Russia denied striking civilians, claiming the maternity hospital was being used as a headquarters by Ukrainian far-right forces.

The photograph and caption are by Evgeniy Maloletka.

Of those twenty-one photographs, with notations, that sixth one disturbed me the most. The death of the mother and her unborn child are, sadly, only one snapshot of the countless and ongoing tragedies.

Conclusion

The first article of March 8, 2022, in the 2022 Slavic War topic section, of this website, concluded with my written prayer.

This sixth article concludes with the same prayer, which has continued.

My written prayer, now, is: “Dear Lord, by your provident grace, stop Vladimir Putin and the soldiers that are under his direction. Some of those soldiers do not want to do what they are doing, in the Ukraine. Some do. Bring peace, by your grace, to the Ukraine. I have the will but not the power. You, Dear Lord, have the power. Please use your providential will. Through Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.”

2022 SLAVIC WAR: 8-24-1991 Ukraine Independence Day & 2-24-2022 Russian Invasion of Ukraine (published 8-24-2022; article #348)

 

“A wonderful view of the Areopagus Hills in Athens, Greece,” 8/3/2022 free photo by Datingscout on Unsplash

Introduction

Greetings to my readers – especially to my readers in Slavic countries. I have called the Russian invasion of the Ukraine the “2022 Slavic War.” A war starts when a nation invades another nation. The nation that is invaded did not start the war. The invading nation did. The invaded nation has to defend itself.

With this article, I have created “2022 Slavic War,” as a separate Topic Section. This is my fifth article. My other four articles were on 3/8/2022, 3/20/2022, 5/12/2022, and 5/30/2022. Five articles are now in this new section.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine becomes, too often, a side note. To both my Ukrainian and Russian brothers and sisters in Christ, you are not forgotten! The daily prayers of many, including me, are for peace. May it be so, Lord.

8-24-1991 Ukraine Independence Day

Thirty-one years ago, Ukraine declared independence from the USSR, on 8/24/1991. The official website of Ukraine includes a section on “Origins & History of Ukraine.” To my non-Slavic readers, you may wish to read the entire section.

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) ended, on 12/31/1991. (See “Collapse of the Soviet Union,” by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica; Last Updated 8/11/2022.)

On 10/1/1994, Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and I joined two other families, to serve as missionaries, to Moscow and Klin, Russia. My “Topic Sections” includes twelve articles on or that reference “Mission Work.” I may write a book, about our mission experiences.

Ukrainian Independence marked freedom from Soviet oppression, dictatorship, and tyranny. Today, 8/24/2022, Ukrainians will find no joy – if there is any celebration of their independence from the USSR, which included, of course, Russia.

2-24-2022 Russian Invasion of Ukraine

On 2/24/2022, Russia invaded Ukraine. Today, on Ukraine Independence Day, marks day 182 of the Russian invasion of their Slavic brothers in Ukraine. Vladimir Putin and his minions started the war. Both sides argue the reasons. Propaganda abounds.

The Moscow Times section on Ukraine War is a good source of information. I receive their weekly emails, on Fridays.

Russia is not without its faults. Ukraine is not without its faults. No nation is. A peaceful nation should not be invaded by an aggressive nation. Yes, history abounds with too many examples.

Conclusion

The inspired Luke recorded the apostle Paul's meeting of the Areopagus, in Acts 17:22-34. (The quotation, below, includes my bold highlight, for emphasis on this topic.)

Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship —and this is what I am going to proclaim to you.
“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’
“Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by human design and skill. In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.”
When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.” At that, Paul left the Council. Some of the people became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others. (Acts 17:22-34 NIV)

God has marked the appointed times of nations and set their boundaries. God does not, however, cause nations to commit evil. His grace allows free will – for people and nations to commit evil – for a while. The inspired Old Testament records God's hand in the rise and fall of nations. Deeper thought on the subject of God's providence and why God allows evil nations to prosper – for a time – is beyond the scope of this brief article. I may unpack my thoughts, in a longer article, later.

God requires all people, as individuals and nations, to repent of their evil and to turn to His Son, Jesus, the Christ. Universal Judgment Day is coming. The evils caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine will be judged. I will be judged. You will be judged. Our judgment will be just. If we have repented and turned to the Lord, our Savior, we will have everlasting life, in heaven. If we have not, everlasting torment awaits.

Paul's sermon on the Areopagus, in the first century, led to the conversion of Dionysius, Damaris, and several others. Some, however, in free will, rejected Paul's words of salvation.

The word of salvation is offered. Many of my readers have chosen as Dionysius and Damaris did. Other readers have not – yet. Please choose wisely. My “Contact Form” is available, if you need my assistance. God's blessings to my readers – especially for peace in Ukraine.

2022 MEMORIAL DAY MUSINGS: McDonald's Russia, MTSU Shooting, Uvalde Texas Shooting, “Amerika” (published 5-30-2022; article #331)

Introduction

On Memorial Day, I trust that my readers are doing well. Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and I are doing well enough. By the way, we are hunting a replacement car, for her (our) '08 Honda Civic – the long-suffering car that she drives. The air conditioning system needs to be replaced. The cost is almost what the car is worth. We won't “throw good money after bad.”

Since 5/17/2022, I have had working documents, in draft forms, for this article. Yesterday, I started to incorporate my drafts into one document. I'll write about McDonald's in Russia, the MTSU shooting, and the Uvalde shooting. Do you remember the “Amerika” TV series? Before I conclude, I'll mention it.

McDonald's in Russia Closed, 5/16/2022

On Monday, 5/16/2022, I published our wedding anniversary article, for my “long-suffering” wife. She published her comment later that day. Dear, why don't you be a co-writer, on this website? I've offered to set you up as a writer!

That day, I'd heard, on local TV and radio, that McDonald's was closing all its restaurants in Russia. That brought back a few memories.

When we were missionaries in Russia (10/1/1994 to 9/30/1999), we bought those “Улыбки бесплатно!” meals a few times. Our first apartment was within walking distance to a McDonald's on Ulitsa Tverskaya. We also walked past that McDonald's to the Kremlin several times.

On 5/16/2022, bne IntelliNews published, “McDonald’s to continue operating in Russia under new name – RBK,” by bne intellinews, May 16, 2022. The image, from that article, is below.

McDonald's is reportedly hoping to open the new restaurants as early as June. Image: bne IntelliNews.

That's a long line! By the way, our first office location was in the basement of the building, behind and to the left of that McDonald's. Our first apartment was a short walk to the right (or west) of that McDonald's.

This is my fourth article that mentions the 2022 Slavic War. See my articles of 3/8/2022, 3/20/2022, and 5/12/2022. I read those articles again yesterday. Sadly, the casualties of the 2022 Slavic War (Russia invasion of the Ukraine) are far more profound than the temporary loss of a fast food chain.

The Moscow Times section “Ukraine: As It's Happening” contains day-by-day, even hour-by-hour, coverage on the Russian invasion of the Ukraine. The section has recent (current month) coverage. The Moscow Times lists their older coverage on their 24LIVEBLOG website: The Moscow Times - Ukraine.

MTSU Shooting, 5/18/2022

Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) is in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. On 5/18/2022, Wednesday, a shooting and loss of life occurred.

That day, NewsChannel 5, in Nashville, was one of several news sources that detailed that tragedy: “One dead, one critically injured in shooting outside MTSU's Murphy Center following graduation ceremony: The shooting happened after Riverdale HS held its graduation ceremony,” by Emily West, published 5/18/2022, updated 5/20/2022.

On 5/18/2022 and again yesterday, I searched MTSU News, by “5/18/2022 shooting.” Both times, my search generated: “No Post Found!” MTSU, apparently, chose not to write about that shooting.

On 5/18/2022, brother in Christ, Phil Robertson, on Substack, wrote about the shooting: “What I Want You to Know About Deadly Shootings & the Broken Culture of America: The Buffalo massacre, the California church attack, and God’s solution to a land filled with depravity,” by Phil Robertson, 5/18/2022. I suggest that y'all read his words of biblical wisdom.

Brother Phil referenced the Columbine High School shooting (4/20/1999). My wife and I were in our final year in Russia. Our Russian brothers and sisters could not understand how or why anyone would kill school-aged children like that. We were all shocked.

The Columbine High School shooting was the first school shooting, in this once great nation. It would not be the last.

Uvalde, Texas, Shooting, 5/24/2022

Six days later, on 5/24/2022, Tuesday, the Robb Elementary School shooting, in Uvalde, Texas, occurred. The various media sources have detailed and commented on the tragedy, for six days. (It seems to have been longer than six days.)

The Uvalde Leader-News did not have an article, until 5/26/2022: “Robb shooting claims 19 children, 2 teachers,” May 26, 2022. On 5/24/2022, I had found that newspaper website. I had searched that day and the next, to find no local articles yet. Their 5/29/2022 article, “They were smart, funny, loved,” May 29, 2022, lists the names and short biographies of each person who was killed.

“Amerika”

On Saturday, 5/28/2022, I had endured enough of the opinions, on the 5/24/2022 Uvalde shooting, in the various media sources. Several government employees (i.e., politicians), including the President, were spinning the sadness, in various directions. Some, including the President, wanted to make political hay, from the sadness. I pray for the souls of those politicians.

So, on Saturday, I did a “Norton Safe Search” for “USSA propaganda.” The reply was, “Did you mean: USSR propaganda?” The search gave me a few options.

One option was The Harvard Crimson, The University Daily, Est. 1873, article: “Back in the U.S.S.A.,” by Martha A. Bridegam, February 23, 1987. That 1987 article was about “the ABC television miniseries, 'Amerika,'” which was “the portrayal of life in a United States controlled by the Soviet Union.”

Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and I were in Charleston, Missouri then. I was the minister of the Charleston Church of Christ. I remember watching that miniseries – or most of it.

Conclusion

What is the conclusion to this article? The problem, in this once great nation, is the lack of morality and family values.

Morality emanates from God, the Divine Lawgiver. God places the sense of morality (i.e., conscience) in us at birth. Many, sadly, corrupt that God-given sense of morality.

Family values are based on biblical values that include a God-centered home, a Christian man and woman, as husband and wife, and their children – raised accordingly.

“Gun control” legislation is not the solution. In high school, 1974 to 1978, some of the older students drove pickup trucks to school. Some had shotguns or rifles, hung on the rack, by the rear window, inside the cab. They had either gone hunting or were going hunting. It was not a concern. Biblical values were the norm. The only school shootings were when we shot rubber bands at each other, during study hall.

By the way, “gun control” is when the shooter aims, fires, and hits the target. The target could be a bullseye, for practice. It could be game, for hunting. It could be to stop the imminent threat to life. A shooter who fires to murder “controls the gun,” by wicked choice. The gun does not fire itself. The evil shooter controls the gun.

“Gun control” legislation is a political sidetrack. “Shooter control” legislation is impossible, logically. Not even the Good Lord can force a person of free will to decide to do right and to avoid evil – freely. It is a logical contradiction. Legislation will not resolve the moral decay that has led to increased violence in this once great nation.

The solution to the manifold moral problems, in this once great nation, is to repent and to return to God.

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14, KJV).

On Memorial Day, this once great nation is supposed to remember and honor the countless number of soldiers, who died in the name of freedom. The day is not just a day off work, to eat hamburgers.

Dear Lord, may everyone, of age, in this once great nation, turn from evil, honor the sacrifice of your Son and our Savior, and seek your face – before it is too late. Amen.

5-9-2022 VE DAY RUSSIA - MY THOUGHTS, WITH REMARKS ON THE 2022 SLAVIC WAR: THE RUSSIAN INVASION OF THE UKRAINE (published 5-12-2022; article #323)

Introduction

My fourth and final article, of 5/8/2022, was “MOTHER'S DAY ON VE DAY (published 5-8-2022; article #321).” This article focuses my thoughts on VE Day in Russia, with remarks on the 2022 Slavic War: the Russian invasion of the Ukraine.

The inspiration for this article is “Откройте и закройте ящик и дверцу шкафа.” I will explain, in the conclusion.

VE Europe 5/8/1945 or 5/9/1945?

Some folks, in this once great nation, were aware that 5/8/2022 marked the seventy-sixth anniversary of the German surrender to the Allies – VE Europe. Russia was an ally, despite some uneducated folks, who think that Russia was part of the enemy Axis nations.

My 5/8/2022 article (mentioned above) linked to the History.com article, “V-E Day is celebrated in America and Britain,” by History.com Editors, last updated May 3, 2022, original published date November 16, 2009.

Russians have continued to celebrate VE Day, on May 9th, annually. I wonder why this once great nation does not celebrate on May 8th annually. The lack of celebration in this nation is regrettable.

Why do Russians celebrate VE in Europe Day a day late – on May 9th, not May 8th? The time zone was the difference. Germany surrendered on 5/8/1945, at 11:01 PM. Russia was already into the early hours of 5/9/1945. Historynet.com has a good article that explains. See "Why Does Russia Celebrate V-E Day on May 9? If the Nazis surrendered May 8, why do the Russians celebrate on May 9?” by Michael Y. Park, 4/29/2022.

5/9/2022

On 5/9/2022, Monday, I heard a few, uneducated, TV broadcasters state that 5/9/2022 marked the anniversary of “the Russian victory over Germany, in World War II.” I had to laugh! First, Russians call World War II the Great Patriotic War. Second, Russia, alone, did not defeat Germany. The Allies (including Russia) defeated Germany.

By the way, World War II did not end completely, until 8/14/1945, V-J (Victory in Japan) Day, when the Japanese surrendered. On 9/2/1945, Japan signed the surrender documents, on the USS Missouri. The information is common knowledge. I learned it in grade school.

2022 Slavic War: The Russian Invasion of the Ukraine

My articles of Tuesday, March 8, 2022, and Sunday, March 20, 2022, include my comments on the 2022 Slavic War (as I call it).

Since 2/24/2022, various legitimate media sources have continued to provide an abundance of details on the Russian invasion of the Ukraine. The tragic loss of life, injuries, damage, and chaos continue daily. The ongoing conflict is demoralizing, as an understatement.

Russians are divided. Some favor the war and side against the Ukraine. Others despise the war and side with the Ukraine. Other legitimate (not propaganda) media sources and friends (brothers and sisters in Christ) provide me with valid news.

No nation is without fault – in many areas – for many items. The demise of morality is global and has been ongoing for decades – if not centuries or millennia. The Ukraine is not without its faults – neither is Russia.

I see media sources that fault the Ukraine, for the Russian invasion of the Ukraine. Some media sources fault NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization), for the Russian invasion of the Ukraine. Some media sources fault Russia, and Vladimir Putin particularly, for the invasion.

I know individuals who fault Vladimir Putin. I know one individual who has stated, “this time Putin is not the villain.” That individual has a reasoned opinion. I do not agree. I respect the intellect of the individual – not his opinion.

History of the Ukraine

Britannica.com has an in-depth article on “History of Ukraine,” by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. The article contains links to many other website sources, for additional reading.

The Ukraine, for centuries, has had the unfortunate geographic location that has been ripe with various aspects of control. Since December 1, 1991, the Ukraine as been an independent nation – with various difficulties and achievements that the article documents.

The Russian invasion of the Ukraine (the 2022 Slavic War) may have been the fault of several. Vladimir Putin is the main villain.

The Moscow Times Serendipitous 5/12/2022 Email

I had started this article yesterday. I'm glad that I waited, to publish, today. I am on The Moscow Times mailing list.

Today, at 12:49 PM, I was one of many, who received an email, “Letter by Michele A. Berdy, Arts Editor and Columnist.” While in Moscow (10/1/1994 - 9/30/1999), Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and I especially enjoyed reading her columns on Russian language! They helped educate us, in the rich nuances of Russian words, word use, and sentence structures.

The 5/12/2022 email letter linked to Michele Berdy's The Moscow Times article, "The Dots Were All There. We Just Couldn’t Connect Them.” By Michele A. Berdy. Updated April 6, 2022; reprinted by permission of POLITICO LLC, Copyright 2022 POLITICO LLC. The Politico article, by the same title, is by Michele A. Berdy, published 3/27/2022, 06:55 AM EDT. I suggest highly that you “sit and read a while, with a cup of coffee,” that article. I did, except I sipped on water.

Conclusion

How did “Откройте и закройте ящик и дверцу шкафа“ inspire this article, you ask? On Friday, 5/6/2022, my non-bionic right shoulder had started giving me fits. I suspect a crossover reaction (as the medical folks call it) from my “bionic” left shoulder. My middle back “fun” started on 4/25/2022. I've had chiropractic adjustments on 4/28/2022, 5/5/2022, and 5/9/2022 – not the usual monthly “tune ups.”

When I opened a drawer or cabinet, with my right arm, my right shoulder “talked to me” enough. The expression “open and close the drawer and cabinet door,” in Russian, came into my mind. I could say everything, in Russian, except “drawer.” Somewhere in my brain, the Russian word for “drawer” was hiding. I had to find it! I did! It is “ящик!” I had to use the Interweb to find the word that was locked in the deep folds of memories. Check out the Language Drops search for “drawer” in Russian, at “What is the Russian word for 'Drawer'?” Other, similar, Russian words are listed. I knew the other Russian words. I remember “ящик” now! I found it, hiding under a fold of memory, in my brain!

Russia needs to close its open “drawer,” on its invasion of the Ukraine. That “drawer” should never have been opened. Vladimir Putin is the villain.

2022 SLAVIC WAR: THE RUSSIAN INVASION OF THE UKRAINE – DAY 25 (published 3-20-2022; article #309)

Introduction

On International Women's Day (3/8/2022), I wrote, “2022 SLAVIC WAR: THE RUSSIAN INVASION OF THE UKRAINE (published 3-8-2022; article #300).” I wish that my 300th article had not have had to be a sad one. It was.

This article marks day 25, of Russia's invasion of the Ukraine. The various media sources are filled with the daily and sad details.

The Moscow Times

When Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and I lived in Moscow, Russia (10/1/1994 - 9/30/1999), we enjoyed picking up free copies of The Moscow Times. We probably still have paper editions, in basement storage. You may sign up for weekly emails from The Moscow Times, to see their articles. That online and print media source has not been shut down – yet. If you wish, you may contribute to their work.

I will reference one The Moscow Times article, among several informative articles. It is, “‘My Father Said I’m a Traitor Who Should Be Shot First’: War in Ukraine Splits Russian Families,” by James Beardsworth, updated March 15, 2022. The internal conflict in Russia is often generational. The Russia media, which Putin dictates, are propagandists – not neutral commentators.

That article contains a link to a BBC News Russian website article titled, “Поддерживают ли россияне войну в Украине? Смотря как спросить,” 8 марта 2022. That article has several very good details. I think that you can get the English translation. I didn't try.

That BBC Russia article links to the website Do Russians Want War? (English version). That website contains volumes of good information. The “about” section contains the following.

The research project "Do Russians Want War?" has been designed by a Russian oppositional politician Alexei Miniailo and the like-minded (sociologists, analytics, data-analysts). Our aim is to speak up on how the war with Ukraine is being perceived in Russia. To give reliable, truthful, verifiable information, we hold regular polls, focus groups, social media research. We analyze the results, discuss them with the best Russian independent researchers and share them with you. We plan to release updates every couple of weeks.

The Do Russians Want War? (website) links to a TAZEROS LLC website that contains a very detailed informational dashboard. The website has information on several subjects – not only the Russian invasion of the Ukraine.

Conclusion

I hope that the 2022 Slavic War will end, in peace, soon. Brothers should not fight brothers. Vladimir Putin and his minions need to go directly to the Hadean Realm as quickly as possible – before even more die. The Ukraine was not without its faults. The Ukraine, however, does not deserve Putin's atrocities.

Dear Lord, I have the will but not the power. Will you use your omnipotence to stop this Slavic War? I pray, in Christ's name. Amen.

2022 SLAVIC WAR: THE RUSSIAN INVASION OF THE UKRAINE (published 3-8-2022; article #300)

 Introduction

As I began to write, about 5 PM, Mrs. Appalachian Irishman was arriving home from her job. I had worked from home today.

I paused, to see if she had a good International Women's Day (March 8th annually). This morning, I had forgotten to wish her a good Women's Day. The celebration hasn't caught on much, in this once great nation. It is celebrated like Valentine's Day in several nations, including Russia. We remember those celebrations well.

While we lived in Russia, they had started to celebrate Valentine's Day (February 14th) every year. My wife and I remember.

Men joked that women get two annual days (February 14th and March 8th), while men get only one day (February 23rd) – about which I write next.

Defender of the Fatherland Day (2/23/2022)

Annually, on February 23, Russians (and other nations) celebrate Defender of the Fatherland Day (День защитника Отечества). We remember the annual celebrations, when we lived in Moscow, Russia (10/1/1994 to 9/30/1999).

Generally, the day is when women give gifts to men – whether or not they served in the military. The day is commonly called Men's Day (День мужчин). Russians celebrated Men's Day, on 2/23/2022, Wednesday. I made a passing comment to my wife that day.

Russia Invades the Ukraine (2/24/2022)

The next day, on Thursday, February 24, 2022, Russian forces invaded Ukraine -- by land, air, and sea. The invasion has been described as the largest military attack by one nation against another, in Europe, since the Second World War.

We still keep in touch with some of our church family, in Moscow and in Klin (not too many kilometers north of Moscow). We keep in touch with other missionaries, who had served in Russia and in the Ukraine. We see information on the media sources that are still available, in Russia and the Ukraine.

Russians and Ukrainians (as well as other nations in that region) are Slavs. They are related, by the Slavic race that binds them together. Many Russians do not like what Russian President Vladimir Putin and his minions are doing. Putin is shutting down all forms of internal opposition to his invasion of the Ukraine.

Many news sources have many sad details. We see, read, and hear about it almost constantly. I recommend The Moscow Times, as an independent news source from Russia. It is not silenced – yet. You can subscribe, with no cost, to receive weekly email updates from The Moscow Times. That website is still up. I check it daily.

Conclusion

I write briefly today. I will probably write more, in a few days. My written prayer, now, is: “Dear Lord, by your provident grace, stop Vladimir Putin and the soldiers that are under his direction. Some of those soldiers do not want to do what they are doing, in the Ukraine. Some do. Bring peace, by your grace, to the Ukraine. I have the will but not the power. You, Dear Lord, have the power. Please use your providential will. Through Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.”

Grace and peace to all the innocent folks in both Russia and the Ukraine. The hearts of many are sad. We hope for wisdom and peace.