Ukraine Thread

[Sarmatian]

It is easy to judge from the age distance of 70 years and with modern awareness. You seem to be concerned about "average everyday people in the street". Let's imagine such a man in western Ukraine between the world wars.
He knows he is Ukrainian, but he sees his land being under Polish power. He wants to change it, but it is not likely to happen. And then, in September 1939 Poland falls apart and the Soviets "liberate" their land ostensibly to join it with "Greater Ukraine". He is glad and even inspired. But within less than 2 years, by massive repressions, executions and deportations the Soviets succeded in estranging the locals. When Nazis come, he feels enheartened and hopes to finally have an independent Ukrainian state. But again he is cheated of all hopes and promises. So he takes a gun and starts fighting everyone - the Poles (remembering his old grievances), the Soviets (remembering the recent grievances), the Nazis (seeing the current grievances). He may make temporary alliances with either of his enemies to fight another one.
Naturally, he is embittered and his heart is hardened in the continuous struggle against anyone who (as he thinks) is out to grab his land.
Having these considerations in mind and trying to put oneself in his place makes me wish to forgive such a man defending his native land against all odds.

I know that time is relative, but hasn't it been 70 years in Ukraine also?

Anyway, past repressions are not a justification for mass-murdering civilians.

When you have an independent nation state and some groups think that the dominant ethnic group in that country isn't "free" (or free enough), that's when you should start suspecting they have strong nazi/fascist tendencies.
And, in classic nazi/fascist fashion, they aren't thinking of actually building a nation, they want to clean it. And, of course, there's the obligatory harkening back to the glory days when One Leader led a strongly motivated National Force against all enemies.

It's not even original.