Editor, Commonwealth:
In the alternate-reality world of pro-Putin propaganda, it can be difficult to understand the history of Ukraine as it relates to both the Nazis and the Soviets (and now Putinists), although I find it unconscionable and incredible that Vladimir Putin claimed to be attacking Ukraine in order to “liberate” it from Nazis.
Zelenskyy is Jewish, of course, so that should give one serious pause before considering for even one second such outrageous claims by the murderous Putin. Many of Zelenskyy’s family members perished in the Holocaust.
What is perhaps less well-known is that the treatment of Ukrainians (Jewish or otherwise) at the hands of the Soviets was often just as bad as that of the Nazis, including during World War II.
For those who would like to understand this interplay better without getting bogged down in a lot of what can seem like dry history, may I recommend best-selling author Mark Sullivan’s biographical novel published a year ago about a family that endured the madness of being thrown back and forth between these two entities during the war: “The Last Green Valley: A Novel.” It is replete with footnotes and family interviews demonstrating the author’s overwhelming dedication to the task at hand.
One of the most soul-gripping highlights of the book to me was when the family was fleeing the Soviets in their covered wagon (yes, really) and running right into the arms of the Nazis. In order to escape them both, the protagonist had to do some quick thinking and nearly beat his horses to death to make them run fast enough to save his family. Later he cried as he applied salve to the wounds of his beloved beasts, which were ultimately confiscated by the Nazis, leaving the German-born Ukranians walking but still alive, at least for the moment.
The movie “Bitter Harvest” is also excellent for understanding the horrible Ukrainian/Soviet dynamic of 1932/33. It’s currently playing on the Epix channel, probably in a loop fashion and is available on both DVD and Prime Video.
Surely there has never been a time in history when a keen sense of discernment was more needed than it is today. I’m glad to have help from these resources.
Georgia Wilkinson
Elizabethton, Tennessee
