Third anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine

(Patria) - The Association for Social Research and Communications (UDIK) reminds the public that three years have passed since the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" in February 2022. Soon after, explosions were heard near Ukrainian cities. The city of Kharkiv, on the eastern Ukrainian border, was among the first to be attacked, before dawn. Three years later, Ukraine counts thousands of dead. According to data from the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, at least 12,654 Ukrainian civilians have lost their lives, while 29,392 have been injured. Nearly 673 Ukrainian children have been killed and around 1,865 injured.

Since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, there has been an increase in the activities of numerous right-wing and pro-Russian organizations in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Rallies are organized, and support for Russian aggression is expressed. This is particularly evident during the celebration of the unconstitutional Day of Republika Srpska, when war criminals are glorified, returnees are threatened, and fear is instilled, and warmongering speeches are delivered. Hatred and intolerance are spread.

Citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina have experienced war and genocide and know what it is like to lose loved ones. However, they continue to elect those who insist on divisions, intolerance, and warmongering rhetoric in their political agendas. International politics is in crisis, which is greatly reflected in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

As a civil society, we oppose policies that advocate for divisions and warmongering narratives that distract from important social issues. We appeal to the political options in our country, especially to the international community, to do more to combat such policies and ideas. We appeal to citizens to become more actively involved in the decision-making process because their future and the future of their children depend on it. Only together can we work towards strengthening a society of solidarity based on democracy and European values.

On the occasion of the third anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, we express solidarity with all victims of the Russian regime, and especially with the Ukrainian people, it was announced from UDIK.