Hi everyone! I am very sorry for my lack of updates these last few weeks. Struggling to adjust to my new normal as Putin bombards my native country is a useless task — I’m just taking it one minute at a time. I don’t know what “normal” means anymore.
So far, everyone I know and love is alive and accounted for. That can change at any moment.
I am working hard behind the scenes to help — so here’s a good opsec reminder for all of us: It’s good and prudent to not discuss what you’re doing during a major conflict! Even though I am not all that important, I’d rather be too careful than not careful enough.
Social media normalizes oversharing, and sometimes, it can be incredibly fun. It’s not a black and white issue. When an autocrat goes berserk, however, it’s good to stay silent. If you’re also helping out, considering leaving out the details and saving them for your memoirs.
If you’re looking for reliable updates on the OSINT side of the conflict in English, I highly recommend following Rob Lee if you aren’t already. Rob is conscientious, thorough, and can keep his emotions in check (I’m not interested in keeping mine in check — nor should I be required to; boundaries are wonderful right now, and I enforce mine ruthlessly).
Many great Ukrainians on the ground are working for the Kyiv Independent. They left when the owner of the Kyiv Post decided to purge the staff, months before the conflict. Boy, that man was an idiot — though it may not matter much now.
If you’re interested in learning more about Ukrainian history in English, I highly recommend the work of Timothy Snyder.
The war has been going on for 8 years. It has now intensified beyond all control. If you want to understand how Ukrainian artists and writers are responding, I highly recommend starting with Serhiy Zhadan and my friend Natalia Vorozhbyt (check out “Bad Roads”), who has barely made it to safety.
If you want to help, I highly recommend checking out this list, put together by actual Ukrainians.
I wish I could reassure you all, and I wish I could reassure myself. I can’t do that right now.
As I predicted, Ukrainians are fighting like hell. Putin, the old fool, never imagined they would do that. A potential tactical nuclear strike against my native country is a horrific possibility.
My hope is that such orders would never be carried out, and that Putin’s inner circle will begin to rebel. The siloviki clans that guard him are no monolith — and they are used to leading wealthy, stable lives. They are not interested in being hunted and being pariahs.
I don’t believe there is a diplomatic off-ramp for Putin, as he gambled extremely recklessly. He is used to winning easily, all throughout his long and sordid career — recall the Russian apartment bombings, Grozny, and Syria. He is committed to the image of a strongman, unlike his opponent, former comedian and current Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, pictured below:
Unlike Zelensky, Putin can’t afford to seem human.
Speaking of humanity, though, and symbolism, and gods vs humans, please read this entire thread by Kamil Galeev. You’ll thank me later.
We are now in uncharted waters and a tragic heart attack happening to Putin (*cough*) may be one of our best chances to save lives. I understand this sounds cold, but idealism is not something I can afford. Not now.
I hope you continue to pay attention to what’s happening, but please, don’t let yourself burn out. You’re no good to anyone when you’re tired and exhausted. Make sure to take structured social media breaks, get plenty of sleep (again, I highly recommend a sleep app, not that I’m using mine much right now), and drink plenty of water.
Look up square breathing. Keep your hands busy.
Please don’t go after random Russians just for being Russian. Many of these people vehemently oppose the pale tapeworm in the Kremlin. Some are scared to express themselves, because they fear for relatives at home. A crackdown is ongoing in Russia, and it’s about to get much worse.
I wish all of us luck in the day to come — but I especially wish the Ukrainian military and civilians all of the luck in the world. Fuck Putin. Glory to Ukraine.
Slava Ukraini!
Thank you so much for this. Especially the Twitter follow recommendations. My spouse is Russian, our kids are duel citizens. This war is breaking our hearts and brought my husband to tears for probably the second time in his life, since his grandfather died. It’s tearing Russian and Ukrainian families apart. We are with you. Слава Украине