My story and position.
I was asked why I don't want my content to be translated into Russian. Actually, I also don't want Russians to distribute it, and I ask them not to, but they do it anyway. I can't forbid them from downloading my content, but they are trying to destroy Ukraine and my people, and at the same time they calmly use what I have created, for example, during their rocket attacks.
And no, I don't think games are outside the war. Nothing is outside the war, because culture and values can be spread through everything.
What do I have against the language specifically? I just don't want to see Russian in my information space, and especially not on what I create. To make it clearer why, I'll just tell you something.
I was born and have lived my whole life in Ukraine. I grew up in a village near Bakhmut. I'll attach a photo of it to this post. I also grew up in Zaporizhzhia, which is bombarded daily by rockets and drones. A week ago, a rocket landed 200 (!) metres from my mother's house. She was saved by the dormitory in front of her house. The people in it were less fortunate.
I haven't seen part of my family for over four years because they are under occupation and cannot leave, partly because they fear being shot somewhere along the way. Just today, the occupiers did this in the Kharkiv region with two civilians and a dog who were trying to leave under a white flag for territory controlled by Ukraine.
I spent many nights in fear that I might not wake up in the morning. I sat in the dark for several days due to blackouts after shelling of critical infrastructure, unable to warm up, wash or cook, because the heating, stove and hot water in my house depended on electricity. And after sleepless nights due to enemy attacks, I had to work, study, and enjoy my youth. And if you think it's over, it's not.
So, we have the deliberate destruction of my people. Occupation. Torture. Propaganda against my country. They steal children from the occupied territories and take them to Russia. Do you know who else did this? Please google it.
Returning to the topic of language, if you are interested, Russia has been trying to destroy the Ukrainian language and heritage for more than a century. It burned Ukrainian books. It killed Ukrainian intellectuals — writers and artists (please read about the Executed Renaissance). It appropriated Ukrainian heritage (did you know, for example, that Kazimir Malevich, Ivan Aivazovsky, Arkhyp Kuindzhi, and Ilya Repin were Ukrainian?).
Because language is the identity of a people. Its strength. Is it too much to ask that what I create not be in Russian?
So... I no longer feel any anger, let alone a desire to destroy anyone in this world, whether it be one person or an entire nation. Because I am not xenophobic or ethnophobic. I just want to distance myself from everything Russian, including the language and the people. But will I ever forget everything these people did to me, my family and my friends? Never.
Comments (53)
I know that being in the aggressor country, I can hardly express my regret and support to the full extent, but I absolutely understand your position. It is only your right to decide who and how will use what you have created. I was lucky to surround myself with people who have always been against the war, but I am fully aware of how many people go to war with the dumbest reasons, as if killing people could be justified in any way. Truly, I don't know how to convey that I am sorry, especially sorry that I don't even have the opportunity to financially support Ukraine. I hope this war finally ends, that people can live without fear on their own lands and breathe freely. Peace to you.
It's just stupid not to separate the people from the government. I understand there are Russians who support this crap, but they're very few in number; they're either stupid or scared. You say you're not ethnophobic or xenophobic, but your entire post is literally built on that. I sincerely feel sorry for everyone involved, but blaming ordinary people is just stupid. We're all cut from the same cloth, dude.
I understand but don't go targeting anything it won't help
God, I just learned that you're Ukrainian and it makes me so proud, cause you're an amazing creator. Sending love and hugs from Kyiv, recovering from the two recent massive attacks. Thank you for your position!
Дякую! В Києві зараз складно як ніколи, але сподіваюся ви ходите в укриття. Бережіть себе 🫶🏻
sending love from brazil. I hope ukraine and it's children will be free soon, you're all so strong
Thank you. I really appreciate it!
дякую за Ваші моди <3 бережіть себе
Дякую, ви теж себе! 🫶🏻
I'm very sorry, but do you think that all Russians are in favor of what their government is doing? Isn't that thought a bit reductionist? Because others could make the same accusations about you one day, I just don't think you should accuse the population for what their government and army does. I am from a country that receives many Ukrainian and Russian refugees, none of them want war and they do not justify these atrocious acts. And again, I am very sorry for your experience 💔
Oh, please don’t say they don’t want this, because that’s not true and it hurts to hear. Do you know what Ukrainians did when they DIDN’T WANT what our government was doing? They took to the Maidan in 2014. Please, Google what the Heavenly Hundred are, to understand what it cost us. And do you know what the Russians are doing now? They’re writing on their Telegram channels that we, Ukrainians, should be wiped off the face of the earth for no reason. They’ve been doing this for centuries, because we simply get in their way. Why? Nobody knows. They like our territory; they happily go to Crimea on holiday and are settling in the occupied Mariupol, which they destroyed beforehand. They’re staging plays on the blood of Mariupol’s children in the theatre. Yesterday marked the anniversary of the moment when the Russians dropped two 500-kilo bombs on the theatre, in front of which the word ‘CHILDREN’ was written, because people were using it as a shelter, and this phrase was visible from satellites. Do you know what the wives of Russian soldiers are doing? They’re urging their husbands to rape Ukrainian women. You can find the United24.media page on Instagram; there are videos of them there with English translations. They’re literally supporting genocide and violence against OUR people on OUR territory, whilst all they’ve received in return are sanctions and a few bans. Russian refugees, seriously? I’ve lost my hometown and my home, and I haven’t seen my relatives for four years because they’re under Russian occupation with no way of leaving. And what have they lost?
Sending prayers & love from the US, Free Ukraine<3<3
Thank you for your support 🧡
support from Pakistan, free Ukraine!!
Thank you. Take care of yourself
Sinto muito... acho que é a única coisa que posso dizer. Mas espero que sintas o meu apoio nestas palavras, enviadas de Portugal 🧡
Obrigado 🧡
Fair.
I have read this several times since it was posted and always want to comment but have no idea what to say. Honestly what can you say? What you are going through and what your people are going through is unimaginable and incomprehensible and you have the right to feel anyway you feel, unapologetically. No explanation needed. The rest of the world can sit on their high horse passing judgment for how you feel but honestly, if they where in your position for one day, they would see things differently. My heart goes out to you and your people and I am so sorry!
Thank you for your support. I appreciate it ❤️🩹
This war is soo terrible :(
💙💛💙💛
підритримую і надсилаю обійми через екран
Дякую 🥹 Бережіть себе!
Support to you from Finland. 💙💛 May Ukraine be liberated from Russia's terror. We support you, always.
Thank you, that is very valuable 💛
hello! Lots of support from the usa My family were volga germans who were sold to the russians so wishing you and your people the absolute best. I hope this occupation ends soon <3
Thank you for your support 🧡
support from South Africa! love your content <3
My mom's side of the family immigrated from Ukraine to Canada in the 1900s, (pretty sure it was due to the conditions under the Russian Empire at the time :/) it breaks my heart to see what is being done to Ukraine right now, and how much Russia has tried to destroy Ukrainian culture and language all this time. Slava Ukraini 🇺🇦 <3
Indeed, there have been many Ukrainians around the world for a long time, not because of a lack of love for Ukraine, but because of an attempt to find a more peaceful life, without persecution, deportation and executions. Ukraine was of interest to Russia (and previously to others) because of its resources. People who defend their country are of no interest to the occupiers, so they are dying under massive attacks from 800 drones and missiles. The only option left is to fight and not let the war be forgotten. I am incredibly grateful that you are here and for your support. Glory to the heroes. Героям слава! 💙💛
Support from Brazil <3
Thank you so much 🧡
Love you girl. It's gonna be okay. Also you shouldn't have to explain anything to anyone. It is YOUR content. Thank for sharing, though.
Thank you for being here and supporting me 🧡 This explanation was supposed to be a small comment, but it's a trigger topic, so I couldn't help myself haha
Your people are in the heart of our people and we Italians feel you are our brothers and sisters, forever. Slava Ukraini 🇺🇦💙
Thank you, that's so valuable to hear! Glory to the heroes. Героям слава! 💙💛
Support from America, I am from a Ukrainian-American family in the US and my family and I think of all our fellow Ukrainians and pray for your safety, love, and joy. Slava Ukraine!! Підтримка з Америки, я з українсько-американської родини в Сполучені Штати Америки, і моя родина, і я думаю про всіх наших співвітчизників-українців і молюся за вашу безпеку, любов і радість. Героям слава!
Thank you, it is incredibly important that even those Ukrainians who do not live in Ukraine remember and talk about it, and especially teach their children, if not love, then at least understanding. Слава нації 💙💛
Support from UK 🇬🇧, Slava Ukraini 🇺🇦💙
Thank you! Glory to the heroes. Героям слава! 💙💛
Моя дорога україночко, сподіваюся, що скоро росіяни підуть з української землі і наші будинки будуть відновлені.
Чекаю цього дня з нетерпінням. Сил всім нам 💙💛
Lots of support from New Zealand 🩷🩷
Thank you so much 🧡
Support from a Dane 🇩🇰
Thank you! I appreciate it 🧡
I understand your thoughts. Slava Ukranini ! I support your Patreon page.
Thank you, I really appreciate your support! Glory to the heroes. Героям слава!
Unfortunately, even though we’re doing everything we can to distance ourselves from them wherever possible, they still keep following our creators, downloading our content, translating it into their language, and posting it on their own sites. They don’t care that at night they were killing us with rockets, and during the day they’re stealing our work. Sadly, they don’t even understand what’s wrong with that.
It's true! And then they write on social media that they feel sorry that we're still alive, lol.
100% understandable and valid. My heart goes out to you and all the victims of the invasion, as it has since the beginning: I still remember the turmoil at the PL-UA border and how much fear and hope intermingled then. I hate the fact that this particular war became *unfashionable* (as horrible as the usage of this word sounds in the context) and a sort of an activists' blind spot for so many people in this community. You have every right not to want to see your work translated or distributed in such a way.
Thank you. I really appreciate your understanding and that you are in context. It has indeed become somewhat unfashionable, people's attention is shifting to more pressing issues, and I cannot blame them for that. We are all tired of it, but we will fight for our independence and the security of the world as long as we can.