Third Corvid

This is completely different from anything else I've posted on this blog, but it's one that I feel obligated to make. In light of recent strikes by Russia that have killed dozens of civilians, I would like to clarify that, as someone who rarely comments on politics or global issues, I firmly support Ukraine and its people. While many people have explained what I'm about to go over, I feel that they might still need to be clarified to anyone who follows me:

- Ukraine ISN'T Russian in any way. The Ukrainian language, culture, and national identity are all distinct from the Russian language, culture, and national identity. This is a basic fact that even many people who claim to support Ukraine deny.

- Russia is the aggressor. Ukraine, NATO, and the EU didn't provoke it in any way. Maidan wasn't a "coup" like many people on the "anti establishment" right and left would like you to believe (Ukraine on Fire isn't a documentary, it's a work of propaganda made by a filmmaker turned Kremlin mouthpiece). The sole crime that Ukraine committed was choosing to leave the USSR to become a free and independent country and later move away from Russian influence.

- Ukraine needs to be armed to the teeth and then some. Nothing should be off limits. Everything from assault rifles to tanks and AFVs to fighter jets and air defense systems should be delivered without any restrictions and with as few delays as possible. The fact that it took months or even years for the United States and members of the EU and NATO to finally deliver certain equipment (such as Leopards, HIMARS, Patriots, and F-16s) because they were so afraid of "provoking" Russia is outrageous. Anyone who opposes providing arms of any kind to Ukraine, regardless of what reason they give, is only supporting the prolonging of the war by restricting Ukraine's ability to fight back effectively.

- Russia is guilty of countless war crimes and atrocities against both Ukrainian civilians and military personnel. The massacres in Bucha and Izium (over 400 killed in both), the destruction of Mariupol (over 30,000 likely killed, the UN acknowledges that the number of deaths is likely far higher than the thousands of deaths that have already been confirmed), "Human Safaris" (the targeting of civilians in Kherson by Russian FPV drones, over 200 killed already), the killing of countless POWs, and the abductions of tens of thousands of Ukrainian children are just a few of the KNOWN atrocities that Russia has committed. There are undoubtedly more equally horrific atrocities that have been committed (and are being committed as I type this) in occupied territories. Russia has deliberately targeted schools, hospitals, maternity wards, churches, and shelters during drone and missile strikes, as well as vital energy infrastructure. It has committed ecocide by destroying infrastructure like the Khakovka dam and by killing local wildlife with FPV drones. It has deliberately committed countless horrific acts of violence against women, children, and the elderly. There are numerous video and audio recordings of Russian military personnel being ordered to target civilians, which is proof that these atrocities are deliberate and that they are being done on a systematic level, with many of these atrocities being genocidal in nature. There is no nuance here, and Ukraine hasn't done anything nearly as appalling as the crimes that Russia has committed. Anyone who denies or downplays any of these atrocities is complicit in promoting Russian propaganda narratives.

- When Russia sends missiles and drones into Ukraine, it indiscriminately targets civilian and energy infrastructure. When Ukraine sends missiles and drones into Russia, it exclusively targets military infrastructure and oil facilities that directly fuel the Russian war effort. There is no equivalence like many people would like you to believe. Russia isn't in any way the victim of indiscriminate attacks like Ukraine is.

- There is no nuance in this war, it's about as black and white as an armed conflict can get. Russia is the aggressor and Ukraine is the victim. It isn't a "brother war" like people on the right claim or an "inter imperialist war" like people on the left say it is. Russia has stated on numerous occasions via both official statements and state media that it doesn't just seek to force Ukraine to cede territory, but to eradicate it as a concept. The same day that the massacre in Bucha was uncovered, Russia released a statement that any Ukrainian who refuses to identify as Russian should be killed. If Russia stops fighting and withdraws from Ukraine and its occupied territories, then the war will end. If Ukraine "negotiates," surrenders, or stops fighting, then Ukraine will cease to exist.

It's been over 12 years since the conflict in Ukraine began, and over 4 years since Russia began the full scale invasion. Many people have forgotten or chosen to ignore the ongoing battles that the Ukrainian people are forced to fight daily, but that doesn't make their struggle any less important. If you can, then I recommend donating to the following fundraisers to help aid them, they need all the help they can get. Every penny makes a difference.

Gonna post about some other games/anime/manga that I'm into, in addition to the usual Ace Combat and worldbuilding posts. Some topics include:

- Ukrainian fps games from the 90s and 2000s. I might just do Ukrainian action games from that era as a whole, and I also might make it a series of posts due to the numerous games I'd like to cover, including both games I have and haven't played. I should note that I'm not Ukrainian, so if I end up getting anything wrong, then please feel free to correct me.

- F.E.A.R., I can't describe how much I love F.E.A.R., it's easily my favorite FPS campaign of all time. The atmosphere, gameplay, soundtrack, everything about it is incredible.

- Command & Conquer is my favorite RTS series. I really want to post about Renegade (the only non RTS game in the series) in particular.

- The older Resident Evil games. Resident Evil 4 is my favorite horror game (calling it survival horror is a bit of a stretch, but it's still got a ton of horror elements).

- Immersive sims from the late 90s and early 2000s like Thief and the original Deus Ex (another two games on my top 10 list).

- I'm a huge fan of the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games, and I want to make at least a few posts about them. These posts would be separate from my posts about older Ukrainian games, as I want to dedicate that series of posts to games other than S.T.A.L.K.E.R.

Initially deployed to quell civil unrest and potential insurgency by pro Belkan separatists in North Osea, the Osean National Guard would end up seeing extensive combat in the Southern theater of the Belkan War, though it would never be deployed outside of Osea's internationally recognized borders.

Equipped with older gear and equipment than most frontline OGDF units, the National Guard nonetheless proved itself to be more than capable of holding off the often numerically and technologically superior Belkan forces.

Equipment list:

- U.S. Woodland BDU

- M1 helmet replica with U.S. Woodland cover

- Black Jungle Boots

- ALICE webbing with mag pouch, canteens, and MX-991/U flashlight

- Cybergun M16A1 springer airsoft gun

"All landed units, hurry to the assembly point."

"The second landing party is coming! Move forward, clear the beach!"

- British DPM smock (just ordered from eBay)

- Olive drab BDU trousers (haven't bought yet)

- PASGT helmet (not gonna buy another helmet for a single cosplay, and I'm not removing the scrim from my PASGT because it just looks too damn cool)

- ALICE webbing and gear

- Black jungle boots (only combat boots I currently own)

- Cybergun M16A1 airsoft spring rifle