Well, they know what they are doing - they came to Ukraine armed to kill Ukrainians. And they have killed many thousands, including civilians. If they are not stopped, they will kill and enslave more, serving their empire to grab new lands.

Their country is not invaded - they know their goal is to expand the Lebensraum for the Russian race - in their terms, "Russkij mir".

[–] cyborganism@lemmy.ca 4 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Do they really look like they know what they're doing? Have you seen the videos where they recruit conscripts?

I'm not trying to excuse what they are doing. What they're doing is horrible and inexcusable. But a lot of them are simply being sent with minimum equipment and training and are practically used as canon fodder.

All I'm saying is we shouldn't dehumanize people. It's not all black and white.

[–] Ulara@sopuli.xyz 2 points 11 months ago

They carry and aim their weapons with full knowledge of what they are doing - invading the neighboring country, killing those who resist and enslaving others. It's been one of the most popular Russian sports for many centuries. That's how Russia became so big. They know the rules of the game very well - it's deeply ingrained in Russian culture, which has never been anything but imperial. They are obedient slaves of the empire.

They have been conditioned since childhood to blindly submit to authority. Their ignorance doesn't absolve them of war crimes. I would prefer that they stay alive, but sometimes murderers must be stopped by violent means.

The age of the violent empires is finally coming to an end.