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“Is Zelensky becoming a dictator?” – a recent headline I saw in one newspaper…

Why Ukraine’s Election Delay Reflects Democracy, Not Dictatorship

Recent claims labelling Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy a dictator due to the postponement of elections ignore critical context. Elections are suspended under martial law—a constitutional safeguard enacted since Russia’s 2022 invasion. This ensures national security during wartime.

Support for the delay is strong among Ukrainians. A September 2023 Razumkov Centre survey found 64% opposed elections during conflict and only 15% support them, citing safety concerns, displaced voters, and occupied territories.

Zelenskyy has signalled readiness to resume elections after the “hot phase of the war” ends, emphasising infrastructure for displaced and overseas voters. This decision upholds democratic principles during crisis rather than signalling authoritarian intent.

Sadly this narrative of Zelensky being a dictator because he is not holding elections is one being pushed by Russia to undermine support for Ukraine.  Of course it is widely known that Putin has never participated in free and fair elections and is an authoritarian dictator.

https://www.wilsoncenter.org/blog-post/wartime-ukraines-election-dilemma

Australian teacher fighting in Ukraine captured and feared executed by Russia

Oscar Jenkins has been captured whilst fighting in Ukraine. Many are commenting that he is a mercenary like those who fought for ISIS and should be left to his fate. However there are some key differences. Firstly, he is not a mercenary – foreign fighters sign up and are official members of the Ukrainian military. Secondly, Ukraine is not a terrorist organisation, it is indeed an ally of ours that we support and many experts agree that if Ukraine can win this war it reduces the risk that we will all be dragged into a world war down the track and lose the freedoms we so cherish. Oscar – like many other Australians- just wanted to help with that.  As of writing, it has not yet been confirmed whether Oscar has been killed or not – all that is known is that there is a video of  him in Russian captivity – his captor is seen abusing him and hitting him in violation of the Geneva Conventions which do apply to him.  Men who fought with him claim to have seen his body and been able to identify tattoos that he had. The Australian government is awaiting confirmation.

MISSILE AND DRONE ATTACKS

From the Kyiv Independent ( I highly recommend subscribing) January 19th:

“Today, Russia hit the city with a two-wave attack, sending the drones first and then topping it with missiles, all between 4 and 6 a.m.

The special trick was that the missiles arrived right after the drone-related air raid alert had ended — meaning that those who took shelter had just gotten out. Ballistic missiles are exceptionally fast, and today they hit before the second alert came on, signalling people to hide. On top of that, the attack took place soon after curfew ended (it’s from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.), meaning that there were people in the street.”

Nearly every day there are reports of Russian missile and drone attacks that kill and injure civilians.  Only occasionally do the worst ones make it to Western media outlets.

One of many missile attacks on Ukraine

19th January missile attack on Kyiv

Peace Negotiations

There have been lots of talks about peace proposals and negotiations. Again, Russian narratives spread through social media and news outlets that imply Ukraine is unwilling to discuss peace.  Firstly, I think people need to remember that it was Russia that attacked Ukraine unprovoked ( all the contrary theories around this have been widely debunked and can be easily found) and Putin has always been clear about his intentions to subjugate Ukraine and consider it part of Russia.  At times, the rhetoric has even been genocidal.  So why is it that Ukraine has to be the one to make concessions and ‘negotiate’.   Is Putin interested in peace? Many experts say it is clear that he is not.  And what does he cite as conditions for even a ceasefire or any kind of peace negotiation?

Well, according to Atlantic council, amongst others,  the peace formula currently being promoted by Kremlin officials would be more likely to pave the way for the next stage in Putin’s campaign to erase Ukrainian independence entirely.

He is asking for complete neutrality and demilitarisation of Ukraine, concession of all territory they currently hold ( and at times he has insisted on more territory in the four oblasts he wants the most). He insists on no NATO membership for Ukraine ever, nor ANY military alliances with ANY Western powers. This is in fact a call for Ukraine’s complete capitulation, designed to leave Ukraine unarmed and unable to defend itself against any future attack. And we mustn’t forget that ‘ceding territory’ means abandoning Ukrainians to Russian occupation, where increasingly brutal war crimes are being reported and documented, including torture, rape and religious persecution.

Putin himself has repeatedly made clear that he denies Ukraine’s right to exist and is determined to extinguish Ukrainian statehood. Unless he is defeated, any compromise agreement would merely set the stage for the next phase in Russia’s campaign to wipe Ukraine off the map.

https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainealert/putins-peace-plan-is-actually-a-call-for-ukraines-capitulation/

https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainealert/peace-is-impossible-while-vladimir-putin-denies-ukraines-right-to-exist/

A Russian airline bomb plot?

Recent intelligence reports and official statements indicate that Russia has been orchestrating a series of sabotage operations targeting international air transport, particularly through the placement of incendiary devices on freight planes. In July 2024, incidents at DHL logistics hubs in Germany and the UK involved packages containing electric massagers rigged with magnesium-based flammable substances, which ignited and caused fires. These packages were traced back to a coordinated Russian operation aimed at testing methods for planting bombs on cargo planes bound for North America. Subsequent investigations led to arrests in Lithuania and Poland, where individuals were charged with participating in sabotage activities on behalf of Russian intelligence agencies. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk highlighted these actions as part of Russia’s broader hybrid warfare strategy against Western nations. “I will not go into details, I can only confirm the validity of fears that Russia was planning acts of air terror, not only against Poland but against airlines around the world,” Donald Tusk told a news conference on January 15. The increasing seriousness of the problem was underscored further by reports that U.S. intelligence officials intercepted communications from Russian military intelligence officials discussing the bomb plot and that President Joe Biden had instructed two top national-security advisers to warn off Russian officials.

What I don’t understand is why we still see a country that plans such terrorist campaigns, not to mention all the now well documented war crimes, as a state to be negotiated with and not as a terrorist state?

https://www.rferl.org/a/poland-russia-tusk-airline-bomb-plot/33277035.html

Ready to dive into this extraordinary chapter of Ukrainian history?

“Under Black Banners: Feodosiy Shchus and the Long Fight for Ukrainian Freedom” is now available directly from our store HERE.

This meticulously preserved manuscript, written as a novel, offers unique insights into Ukraine’s fight for independence that resonate powerfully with current events.

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“Under Black Banners is an immersive retelling of Ukraine’s years of revolution and struggle for independence in the early 20th century. While fictional in form, the author’s status as an eyewitness lends gravity to the events he describes. Told through the eyes of the famous Makhnovist anarchist Feodosiy Shchus, a complicated and ultimately tragic story is delivered with passion and purpose. Pliczkowsky probes questions of local and national identity, autonomy, and ideology. As Ukraine once again faces an existential struggle along the very same front lines the reader encounters in Under Black Banners, the book’s publication is as timely as it is thought-provoking.”

Print copies now available in English and Ukrainian

Ukrainian print versions ready for distribution

Print copies can now be ordered directly through our STORE, with 100% of proceeds supporting medical aid in Ukraine through our established NGO partnerships. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, interested in Ukraine’s ongoing struggle for sovereignty, or simply want to make a difference, your purchase helps preserve Ukraine’s history while supporting its future. Also available as an ebook and through major retailers worldwide. Visit HERE to learn more about this remarkable historical account and  more about its journey to publication HERE.