Remember the New Iᛋᛋrael the ᛋᛋ units sport on their uniforms?

1969, Gockhausen (CH)

via #1, #2

© Heinrich Helfenstein

Dear friends,

As many of you know, I live in Kyiv, which is the capital of Ukraine.

8 years ago, my country was invaded by Russia. They annexed part of our territory and have been de-facto controlling another part. Thousands of people have been killed. Around 1,5 million became internally displaced - i.e. had to flee their homes to other parts of Ukraine.

For all these 8 years, other countries have mostly led the policy of appeasement. Turning the blind eye to these actions, sometimes pressuring Ukraine to keep quiet and not disrupt their comfort.

Now russia has gathered an unprecedented military force along its and Belarus's border with Ukraine. They are threatening a full scale outright invasion. In case with Russia, that usually includes deliberate strikes on civilian targets as well. They want to have their "sphere of influence" in Eastern Europe and do not tolerate our real sovereignty and democracy. It is caused by russian fascist imperialism and nothing else, no matter what "arguments" they come up with to excuse their actions.

The situation is getting increasingly more and more dire every hour.

I have receieved a few messages offering some kind of help. I ask, urge you all to spread the awareness of what is happening. Look into ways to pressure your governments into sanctioning russia/its oligarchs, officials and those close to them. THIS is what is needed the most. This is what can potentially save millions of lives.

New York City, 1959

萩原 卓哉／Hagihara Takuya