Ukraine’s support for indigenous Russian peoples within the current borders of the Russian Federation is prompting an increasing number of the members of those nations to support Ukraine in various ways, including dispatching some of their numbers to fight against Putin’s invasion.
Many non-Russians inside Russia oppose Putin’s war; some see end of empire approaching
Others have spoken out in support of Ukraine and opposition to Russian repression and aggression, albeit in less dramatic but in some ways equally important ways. The Erzyan national movement is the most recent to do so, adopting a resolution recognizing the 1932-1933 Holodomor as an act of genocide.
On 26 November, the Atyan Ezem, as the Erzyan people’s council of elders is known, took this step. The council posted its decision on the website of Syrez Balyayen, the chief elder of the Erzyan people.
Referring to earlier decisions of the same kind by the parliaments of Ukraine, Estonia and Hungary, the Erzyan national movement recognized the Holodomor as an act of genocide against the Ukrainian people. The movement sent translations of its decision to the Verkhovna Rada. It also called for Erzyans to commemorate the anniversary of this action every year at the end of November.
Vitaly Romashkin, a member of the Atyan Ezem, explains that “the Erzyan do not have their own state and therefore our decrees are an action of the national representative organ, the council of elders.”
They took this action at the urging of Erzyans, now fighting alongside Ukrainians against the Russian invaders.
“It is possible,” he continues, “that Ukraine and Ukrainians will not pay attention to our action, but we are doing this above all for historical justice… One cannot condemn the Muscovite policy of ethnocide against the Erzyans without acknowledging and sharing the pain and suffering that Moscow has inflicted on others.”
“Therefore,” Romashkin concludes, “this document is essential for our spiritual healing and overcoming colonial thinking.”
Read more:
- Leaders of non-Russian republics backing Putin’s war in Ukraine said losing legitimacy in eyes of their nations
- Free Idel-Ural Movement takes shape in Kyiv
- League of Free Nations: Indigenous activists from Russia to fight for independence from Moscow
- Non-Russian nations of Russia to defend themselves from Putin because their elites won’t
- “Russian” combat losses in Ukraine appear to be disproportionately non-Russians or ethnic Russians from rural areas
- Inter-ethnic animosity saps effectiveness of Russia’s army in Ukraine
