On September 1, 1939, World War II began — the largest war in human history, which claimed the lives of millions of people and left an indelible mark on world history. Eighty-five years have passed. It seems that the world still haven’t learned the lessons of this tragedy, which is proved by the current geopolitical situation, in particular, the actions of modern Russia.
The history of World War II shows that concessions and attempts to satisfy dictators’ aggressive ambitions cannot stop the war. “If you had to choose between war and shame, and you choose shame, then you get both,” Winston Churchill said. This lesson is more relevant today than ever. Adolf Hitler’s aggressive expansion was justified by the idea of superiority and national exceptionalism of Nazi Germany. Modern Russia under the leadership of Vladimir Putin uses the same methods, justifying its aggression with myths about “restoration of historical justice” and “protection of the Russian-speaking population.”It is far easier to stop an aggression at the very beginning, before the aggressor becomes stronger and adapts to new conditions. This is exactly what the allies did during World War II, deciding on the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany. This determination helped to prevent further casualties and destruction. Today, the world faces a similar challenge: how to stop the aggression of Russia, which seeks to restore its influence in Ukraine, in the post-Soviet space and beyond, by using military force and propaganda.
Modern Russia, portraing itself as the heir to the victors of World War II, paradoxically repeats the same mistakes that once led the world to a global catastrophe. Russian rhetoric often accuses other countries of “fascism,” but in practice, the Kremlin’s regime is mostly acted as fascist regime in the past. Russia, like Nazi Germany, actively uses propaganda to justify its actions and suppress domestic opposition.
Shortly before the tragic anniversary of the start of World War II, Russia once again demonstrated its aggression by launching a massive shelling of civilians in Kharkiv on August 30, 2024. At least eight people were killed, more than a hundred were injured, including more than 20 children. Among the victims was a 14-year-old girl, as well as a young artist who sent her last picture to a friend an hour before her death. The Russians continue to destroy the future of Ukraine, seeking to kill the hopes and dreams of the next generation. These actions can be compared to genocide, as they are aimed at destroying the cultural and spiritual life of the people.
In addition, like Nazi Germany, modern Russia is trying to change the identity of Ukrainian children by using them for its military needs. In the temporarily occupied territories (TOT) of Ukraine, Russian authorities impose their own school curriculum with elements of propaganda. This includes a new subject, “Fundamentals of Security and Defense of the Motherland,” for 8-10 grade students and poems praising the “special military operation” for younger children. This is a gross violation of international humanitarian law, which prohibit the occupying state from making unjustified changes to the curriculum and prohibits any form of militarization of children.
Russia actively involves Ukrainian children from the TOT in its military-patriotic activities, seeking to impose on them a Russian identity and prepare them for service in its army. For this purpose, the Yunarmiya youth organization was created in Russia with a mission to prepare children as young as eight years old for military service and educate them in the spirit of loyalty to the state. It is important to note that the Yunarmiya actively recruits Ukrainian children from the TOT of Ukraine. Their participation in this organization is a tool for militarization and forced change of their identity, which violates their rights and contradicts international standards, prohibiting the use of children for military purposes and any form of forced assimilation. This approach is reminiscent of the methods used by Nazi Germany, where the Hitler Youth organization raised children in the spirit of loyalty to the Nazi regime and prepared them for military service. The forced participation of children in such organizations violates international norms and rights, in particular, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which categorically prohibits the use of children in hostilities and any form of forced change of their identity.
According to the Prosecutor General of Ukraine, more than 19.5 thousand Ukrainian children have been illegally deported since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion. According to various estimates, the total number of children who are considered to be taken to Russia reaches 700 thousand. The forced deportation and subsequent Russification of Ukrainian children is seen as part of a policy aimed at destroying Ukrainian identity.
Such measures violate international norms, in particular the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, as they completely change the cultural and national identity of children. Russia also creates obstacles to the return of these children to their homeland by changing their citizenship, transferring them to Russian families and limiting their ability to return to Ukraine.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova for alleged war crimes related to the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children from the occupied territories of Ukraine to Russia. Their actions have been condemned by the international community, including the UN, the Council of Europe, the OSCE and the G7 countries. It is important to bring those responsible to justice and continue the efforts of the international community to return all illegally deported Ukrainian children by Russia.
The position of the international community should be as decisive as it was during World War II. To prevent further aggression and violations of international law, it is necessary to stand firm on the principles of protecting sovereignty and territorial integrity. The unconditional capitulation of Hitler’s Germany showed that compromises with aggressors do not bring long-term peace. Today, more than ever, it is important to stop aggression before it gets out of control and leads to even greater casualties.
Eighty-five years since the beginning of World War II, the world must remember the lessons of history. Reconciliation with the aggressor, indifference and attempts to “appease” dictators only lead to greater tragedies. Today’s Russia, declaring its right to restore historical justice, is repeating the same steps that led the world to catastrophe in the past. The international community must unite and firmly oppose any attempts of revanchism and aggression in order to maintain peace and security for future generations.