We're Against War, and We Won't Back Down

For Russia's socialists, it's time to work for the future

Alexander Batov

Russia started a war against Ukraine. The facts are clear from the news.

Some thoughts:

This war is unjust and criminal on both sides. It’s a fight between two inhumane regimes. The declared goal of the war on the part of the Russian Federation is all lies and hypocrisy.

For several years, the Russian authorities looked indifferently at the daily deaths of people in Donbass. Moreover, the Minsk agreements imposed by Moscow only tied the Donbass by their hands and feet. This was a problem that could not be solved. Residents of Donbass all these years were and remain a bargaining chip in the hands of the Russian and Ukrainian capitals.

Nothing that happens here will solve anything. Whatever the outcome of the war, further blood will flow. Even in the event of a “victory,” the Russian Federation will receive an eternally unstable territory and a threat of greater war with the West. The problem of Donbass is unsolvable in principle under capitalism.

The Donbass, Karabakh, Transnistria, Chechnya and many other military conflicts were a consequence of the destruction of socialism. As long as capitalism rules, the thirst for preservation and increasing profits will always push for war.

All the hardships of the war are already being shifted onto the shoulders of the working people. In the Russian Federation, this can be seen, first of all, in the abrupt devaluation of the ruble. The Russian Federation is betting on a blitzkrieg as the economy is not capable of sustaining a long-term war. If the fighting drags on, economic and social chaos is inevitable. The Russian army is also not capable of fighting a prolonged war. The training of pilots, tankers, and other military specialists is in a deplorable state. Rot and decay are present not only in every part of the state apparatus, but also in the army. The Russian authorities intend to “solve” growing social problems by intensifying repression.

If earlier, the epidemic was used to justify tightening the government’s hold, now war has been added. Kremlin propagandists are squealing about the need to “deal with the bastards in our house.” Capital will open the domestic front of the war. One of the effects will be the further strengthening of surveillance on the Internet and the complete ban on public assembly.

The task of the communists is to explain to everyone they can the truth of this war. At the same time, it should be understood that as long as messages in favor of the Russian Federation come from the front, we will not be listened to. We will face misunderstanding and rejection. This should not stop us. We are working for the future. Although we should take an anti-war stance due to these crimes against humanity, we do not call for desertion. A communist who finds himself in the active army must conduct his own propaganda among colleagues. We must also prepare for repression. One should take care to secure information, or else many leftists will have to pay for their frivolous attitudes towards these issues. We will not falter on the chosen path. The truth is on our side.