Death is a master from Russia

In 2022, as Russia commenced its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, a Kyiv resident penned an essay titled "Russia Dehumanizes the World" in German for a German website. The Ukrainian translation, part of their book "Сплески" (Splashes), concluded with the ominous line, "War. The Russians are near. Death is near. Death is a master from Russia.

We are still here. We, Ukrainians. We, human beings. We, human beings." This statement echoes the poignant lines of Paul Celan's poem "Death Fugue," which reads, "Tod – Meister aus Deutschland" (Death is a master from Germany). Celan, a Holocaust survivor, tragically took his own life due to the unbearable trauma of war and loss.

The essay's author feared the potential occupation of Kyiv, unaware of the horrors that would unfold in places like Bucha. The Russian occupation quickly turned Kyiv into a city of torture and death, as evidenced by the recent discovery of a basement used by Russian forces for such cruel acts in Bucha.

History has shown that Russia's imperialistic tendencies have plagued Ukraine for centuries. From the 12th century to the present, Russia has repeatedly attempted to establish dominance over Ukrainian lands, often resulting in violence and bloodshed. The Russian Bolsheviks, in the early 20th century, inflicted further suffering on Ukraine, leading to the Holodomor, mass repression, and cultural persecution.

Despite Ukraine gaining independence after the Soviet Union's collapse, Russia again threatened Ukraine's sovereignty, as seen in Crimea's annexation and the 2022 invasion.

Today, Russia continues to wage a war against Ukraine, employing drones and missiles to destroy cities, kill civilians, and sow fear. The author, like many others, sleeps with the constant fear of being killed by Russian attacks. The psychological toll of living under such constant threat raises questions about the appropriateness of discussing human values and dignity in the face of imminent danger.