Russia's war in Ukraine concerns us all

Snow in Bahmut is covered by blood. For months Russian troops have been trying to take over the small town east of Ukraine. The attacks come from all sides, supported by brutal troops of the Uagners. Houses and roads are mercilessly bombarded without taking civilian victims into consideration. Before the Russian attack in Bahmut lived 70,000 people. How many live there today are unknown. Those who have stayed do not give up but supported by Ukrainian troops fight for freedom. Their small town they don't want to leave to the enemy. Bahmut has become a symbol of Ukrainian resistance and courage.

Terror in Ukrainian Cities

Bahmut has to do with all of us. We cannot close our eyes to what is happening on European soil. Murder, torture, rape. War is not abstract. He's dead in war. The civilian population becomes the victim. In Bahmut, Butsha, Irpin, Marioupolis. We journalists have an obligation to document these numbers. At a time when we need to decide discreetly what to publish. The brutal reality should not be softened, but at the same time it must preserve the dignity of the affected. Of course, we continue to report how civil populations in war zones manage to cope with life under regular bombings. A life in which nothing is like before. A life where people can, however, maintain moments of strength and joy.

Discovering False Information

What is truth, and what is false? This is not always easy to identify, much easier in times of war. Our journalists reporting from Ukraine do not have only one of the most dangerous jobs, but also have to verify videos along with their editorials, speak to witnesses, verify the facts, establish the right context, and disclose false information. Every day they risk becoming the very victim of war. Their work deserves the highest honor.

It is the independent journalism that causes fear of dictators. So Putin tries with all means of disinformation to hinder the truth about Russian aggression in Ukraine. Neither the world nor the Russian population should be informed of the truth; how many civilian victims have cost Russian invasion, or how high the defeats of the Russian Army are. At this point, he is deceived, falsified, and silenced for one who is not compatible with propaganda.

Searching for the Truth

It's not easy to face the use of the Internet to direct attention to what really happens. But the effort is worth it. Because truth must come to light. So Deutsche Welle journalists and many other media are at great risk. But they also find support from the Ukrainian population. People want the world to know how many victims cost Ukraine the Russian invasion, which they are holding hard against Russian troops in the occupied areas. They want the cruel crimes of the aggressors to become known to the world, reports of these, that in the Russian media, there are no reflections.