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From mass killings and the devastation of infrastructure to the forced assimilation of Ukrainian children, Russia’s actions bear all the hallmarks of genocide — reinforced by open hate speech and the denial of Ukraine’s right to exist. The question now is whether the world will respond to this systematic attempt to erase the Ukrainian nation. Dive in this topic with Petro Oleshchuk, political scientist, Ph.D, expert at the United Ukraine Think Tank, in his article for The Gaze.
Firstly, Oleshchuk argues that, Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine stands as an unprecedented case of attempted genocide in the 21st century. This invasion goes far beyond political motives or the breach of international borders — it is a campaign aimed at the total erasure of Ukrainian national identity, meeting the criteria of genocide under international law. This intent is evident not only in the actions of the Russian military, but also in the explicit rhetoric of Russian leaders and propagandists, who deny Ukraine’s right to exist as a state and Ukrainians as a distinct people.
Russian propagandists and officials openly promote the destruction of Ukrainians as a nation. Kremlin-aligned commentators have called for the eradication of the Ukrainian language, education system, and culture, branding Ukrainians as a “biological error” that must be “re-educated or eliminated.” Phrases like “Ukrainians are underdeveloped” and “they should not exist” are regularly broadcast on Russian state television, reinforcing a narrative of dehumanization and denial of national identity.
Moreover, political scientist gave several examples on his arguments. The Russian siege of Mariupol lasted over 80 days, leaving the city in ruins under relentless shelling from artillery, aircraft, and rockets. Key civilian sites were deliberately targeted — including a maternity hospital and the city’s drama theater, where hundreds of people, including children, were sheltering. Despite visible signs reading “CHILDREN,” both buildings were destroyed. According to the city council, at least 25,000 people were killed.
One of the clearest examples of genocidal policy is the forced deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia. Ukrainian authorities report that more than 19,000 children have been illegally taken from temporarily occupied territories. Many were placed with Russian foster families, where their names, language, and citizenship were changed — a practice that violates Article 2(d) of the Genocide Convention, which prohibits the forcible transfer of children from one group to another.
Finally, Oleshchuk summed up that the Russian war against Ukraine is a deliberate attempt to destroy a proud European nation. This is more than a conflict — it is an attempted genocide with systemic, ideological, and practical dimensions. To forget this war is to risk repeating the tragedies of the twentieth century. The international community must not only document these crimes but also hold the perpetrators accountable.
Read the full article by Petro Oleshchuk on The Gaze: Russia’s War on Ukraine: An Unprecedented Act of Genocide Targeting Ukraine’s National Identity and Existence
Read also: Continuing the war against Ukraine: What is Putin hiding?
