Your current location:HOME >opinions >VOX POPULI: The war in Ukraine enters its 3rd year with no end in sight 正文
TIME:2024-05-08 02:00:49 Source: Internet compilationEdit:opinions
On Feb. 24 exactly two years ago, acclaimed Ukrainian author Andrey Kurkov was jolted awake by the b
On Feb. 24 exactly two years ago, acclaimed Ukrainian author Andrey Kurkov was jolted awake by the boom of a missile landing in Kyiv.
There were three strikes at 5 a.m., then two more one hour later.
“There was no doubt anymore that a war (with Russia) had begun, but I still did not want to believe it,” Kurkov wrote in his “Diary from an Invasion.”
In the book, he serenely chronicles his life over a period of a little over six months, interspersed with his observations about the history of his beloved Ukraine and the complexity of its language.
He, too, was one of many Ukrainians who were forced to flee far away from home.
War destroys routine life. But sadly, war has become a way of life in Ukraine in the last two years. In his recent social media post, Kurkov commented to the effect, “This war will be drawn out, and we must learn to live with it.”
According to a colleague of mine who is reporting from Ukraine, air raid alerts were issued in Kyiv 25 times in the last month or so, totaling 29 hours.
Once issued, an alert can last for several hours. When parting with a friend, there is the thought that their paths may not cross again.
That is probably what living in wartime boils down to.
Ukraine is not the only victim of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s aggression. Also under attack are freedom of speech in Russia and international social order. We must not forget that.
Kurkov noted in his diary that the lives of Ukrainians have been segmented into “before the war” and “during the war.” And he added to the effect, “Of course, we are all praying for the eventual arrival of the ‘postwar’ era.”
Its arrival can never be too soon.
--The Asahi Shimbun, Feb. 24
* *
*Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.
Russia defends veto of UN resolution to prohibit nukes in outer space2024-05-08 01:56
New gallery finds footing in Beijing Fun2024-05-08 01:53
German chancellor presses China on Russia's invasion of Ukraine2024-05-08 01:31
Hockey business is booming as the NHL bounces back from the pandemic in a big way2024-05-08 01:21
Chad holds presidential election after years of military rule2024-05-08 01:13
Microsoft invests $1.5 billion in AI firm G42, overseen by UAE's national security adviser2024-05-08 00:57
Weedkiller manufacturer seeks lawmakers' help to squelch claims it failed to warn about cancer2024-05-08 00:29
Two killed in shooting at Ferguson, Missouri, gas station; officer fired shots2024-05-08 00:24
Nutrition experts add traffic light health labels to famous food paintings2024-05-07 23:30
Alana Lister doesn't look like this anymore! MAFS star is unrecognisable in wild Coachella outfit2024-05-07 23:26
Biden recognizes US Military Academy with trophy for besting other service academies in football2024-05-08 01:23
Chinese president appoints new ambassadors2024-05-08 00:42
China's modified Long March2024-05-08 00:28
ABBA, Blondie, and the Notorious B.I.G. enter the National Recording Registry2024-05-08 00:12
Point guard Deivon Smith transferring to St. John's from Utah2024-05-08 00:12
Hamas says 19 killed in Israeli shelling near Gaza City, Israel denies2024-05-08 00:03
Courtney Love is hit by angry backlash from Taylor Swift fans after branding singer 'unimportant'2024-05-07 23:39
Bank of America's Q1 profits fall 18% on higher expenses, charge2024-05-07 23:38
Robinhood Markets receives SEC notice for alleged securities violations at crypto unit2024-05-07 23:24
Stephen Mulhern's forgotten romance with EastEnders star after they met in Panto2024-05-07 23:22