On 8 July, Russian terrorists launched another powerful missile attack on Ukrainian territory. Among the objects attacked that day was the National Children’s Specialized Hospital “Okhmatdyt” (abbreviated from “protection of motherhood and childhood”). The Kremlin killers, of course, announced on the same day that it was not them, but that a Ukrainian anti-missile had hit the hospital. The testimony of eyewitnesses and video evidence said the opposite. However, lying to a Muscovite is like crossing oneself to a believer…
On the same day, the Anti-Imperial Block of Nations called for an immediate emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on this issue. Fighters against Russian imperialism called on the world community not to be silent now, as in the past. When Moscow killed Chechen children in the 1990s, it destroyed the identity of the children of enslaved people in the entire vast space of the “prison of nations.” Today, he is killing Ukrainian children, both physically (targeted rocket attacks) and spiritually, “re-educating” kidnapped Ukrainian children in specialized concentration camps.
What is the UN? An organization that, according to the creators’ idea, was supposed to be a guarantor of collective security in the whole world? First of all, it remained faithful to its traditions of caution concerning those countries that are “somewhat stronger” than others. According to the head of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission, Daniel Bell, the attack on the Okhmatdyt Children’s Hospital in Kyiv was probably caused by a direct hit by a Russian missile. Thus, the analysis of video materials and evaluations carried out at the scene of the incident indicated “a high probability that the children’s hospital suffered a direct hit, and did not receive damage from the interception of an anti-aircraft missile.” Bell’s team visited the scene on Monday, but “were unable to provide a definitive conclusion, but the missile appears to have been launched by the Russian Federation.”
“Probably”, “high probability”, and “likely”… They continue to play with the presumption of innocence, and diplomatic etiquette, while Ukraine is drowning in blood. After all, within 2.5 years from the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the institution of “collective security” should have formed its vision of what is happening on Ukrainian lands. Although… What is the vision when the murderer sits at the same table with the judges and blames the victim?
It happened this time as well. What an unprecedented blasphemy that Russia presided over the UN Security Council meeting regarding the shelling of Okhmatdyt… The Ukrainian delegation, of course, demanded that Russian terrorists be stripped of their place in the Security Council, but this appeal, like all previous ones, remained “a voice crying in the wilderness.” Many correct things were said during the meeting. Representatives of countries that support Ukraine (in word and deed) emphasized the Kremlin’s crimes. On the fact that this missile attack is not an exception to the rules, it is a purposeful strategy of a terrorist country.
However, this is all just talk. Nice speeches and words of support will not stop a murderer who feels his impunity. This is not the first meeting of the “interest club” the UN has turned into. They are sometimes reminiscent of a university seminar, when students carefully prepare answers to the questions posed, but in fact, only recite generally known facts. In the case of the meeting on “Okhmatdyt” – the absolute indifference of the “teacher” (chairman) to everything heard. Absolutely.
The system of collective security has become quite selective. Cardinal decisions, which should lead to the end of wars or ethnic cleansing, were taken against countries or territories that could not resist great forces. But not against Russia. Sometimes I wonder why Muscovites make excuses at such meetings and try to deny that they did not do it. Based on the final results, they could respond in their lexicon, sending everyone away. However, the verbal balancing act continues. Under the creak of the global security umbrella, which has not just cracked, but is breaking into small pieces.
Unfortunately, there is nothing new in this. History does not teach. Humanity is fascinated by popular science books, films, etc. on historical subjects, but does not want to look deeper. In this particular case – in the event of 1938. When the first global system of collective security cracked and broke in the same way. The League of Nations was created under the influence of the horrors of the First World War. The Munich conspiracy of the victors of that war in favour of the vanquished destroyed the League. As much as Neville Chamberlain boasted: “I brought peace to our generation,” in fact, he and Deladier gave the green light to the start of the global Second World War. The Nazis felt the barrenness of the “powers of this world”, and their reluctance to defend the slogans and principles proclaimed by them. An already fragile system of security guarantees was destroyed by simple signatures on a document that opened the way for the Nazis to grab whatever they wanted. The match to start the world fire was lit, and the gasoline canisters were already very close.
The League of Nations did not last long. Its end – the Second World War – was quite tragic. It seemed that the UN had to work with the mistakes of its predecessors in mind. However, there is a very simple lesson of history – where there is Russia (tsarist, Soviet, “democratic” – it doesn’t matter), there will be deception, and there will be death and destruction. There will be no security.
What will be the UN final? How long will this organization last and for what? Interest club or guarantor of security? “High probability” of a dramatic collapse with unpredictable consequences.
Yuri Shchur, candidate of historical sciences
