Oleksa Drachewych
@odrachewych.bsky.social
Historian of 20th C international relations, USSR, communism in global/transnational frameworks; professor at Western University and King's University College. www.oleksadrachewych.com
Revised manuscript submitted. Here's hoping for good news quickly and the book can move into production sooner rather than later. The parallels between the Soviet Union and the Second World War and Russia's actions in Ukraine today are significant and deeper than we think.
And again right out of the Soviet Second World War experience - instead of German tanks paraded and displayed in Moscow, it's Western tanks today: www.independent.co.uk/news/world/e...
Putin parades British armoured cars and US tanks captured in Ukraine
Display in Moscow features British Saxon armoured personnel carrier, US Bradley tank and Swedish CV90
www.independent.co.ukReminder that H-Russia is always looking for book reviewers. If you're a scholar of Russia, the Soviet Union, Eastern Europe or Central Asia (from PhD students to junior scholars to senior scholars) and interested, please reach out!
Almost done. I've made it my goal to get this done this weekend. Putting it out in the public to hopefully hold me to it.
So revisions not yet done. Give me strength (and time) to do this this week. I'm trying...I really want this work out to help explain what really is happening in Ukraine.
So revisions not yet done. Give me strength (and time) to do this this week. I'm trying...I really want this work out to help explain what really is happening in Ukraine.
A busy week - last full week of classes, hopefully getting my manuscript revisions submitted for the book, hopefully setting myself up to catch up on some very late work I owe people next week. Wish me luck...
Look past the flawed title and read an attempt to make sense of what really happened.
A worthwhile read that does well to convincingly dismiss certain myths of the April 2022 peace negotiations while highlighting the perceived motivations for decisions made and highlighting the speculative nature of understanding Russian aims. www.foreignaffairs.com/ukraine/talk...
The Talks That Could Have Ended the War in Ukraine
A hidden history of diplomacy that came up short—but holds lessons for future negotiations.
www.foreignaffairs.comIt is that time of year again when I'm reminded of my precarity in academia. "What are you teaching next year?" "Have no clue. Email me in July. Hopefully, I will know." Great to know I've made an impact, but each class ending reminds me I may never teach these students again.
A busy week - last full week of classes, hopefully getting my manuscript revisions submitted for the book, hopefully setting myself up to catch up on some very late work I owe people next week. Wish me luck...
Reminder that H-Russia is always looking for book reviewers. If you're a scholar of Russia, the Soviet Union, Eastern Europe or Central Asia (from PhD students to junior scholars to senior scholars) and interested, please reach out!
Read this report. If you read Russian, it includes links to the Ministry documents themselves. Read them. This is systematic ethnic cleansing and this does contravene the Genocide Convention. They are not hiding it. meduza.io/en/feature/2...
‘They could start to resist’ How the Russian authorities are working to indoctrinate and digitally surveil deported Ukrainian children — Meduza
In the two years since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia has forcibly deported thousands of Ukrainian children. While the total number of these deported minors is unknown, Kyi...
meduza.ioReview this report shared by the OHCHR that came out yesterday. It confirms, again, much of what we have already known of Russian war crimes and atrocities in Ukraine, sometimes in detail. We must continue to detail and record these crimes and hope for justice: www.ohchr.org/en/press-rel...
Ukraine: UN Commission concerned by continuing patterns of violations of human rights and international humanitarian law
Non-official UN languages: Ukrainian Українська (PDF)
www.ohchr.orgI have big plans to get multiple things off my plate work wise this weekend. Tweeting this so when I inevitably fail to complete it all, I can publicly commiserate.
Sadly I know of some Western scholars who have continued to research in Russia since February 2022.
I feel the same. I mean I'm de facto sanctioned as I sure as hell am not going into Russia as a Ukrainian. But I still would like the formal designation at this point.
This is something we have known for much of the escalation so far and more and more evidence keeps coming out. Russian forces have done terrible things to Ukrainians and it will have consequences that last long after any end to war: www.cbc.ca/news/world/u...
A wonderful review of an important new book in the field. Can't wait to get my copy and the review confirms that it will be well worth the read.
I had the pleasure of reviewing Masha Kirasirova's excellent new book with Oxford University Press "The Eastern International: Arabs, Central Asians, and Jews in the Soviet Union's Anticolonial Empire" for the Russian Review. Check out the review (available open access) here: doi.org/10.1111/russ...
To emphasize, there have been attempts at negotiations. Both sides have made clear their positions. 🇷🇺 is engaged in ethnic cleansing and imperialism. 🇺🇦 is liberating its territory. To say it is that the nation being colonized who should accept defeat is foolish and dangerous.
This is taking "turning the other cheek" to dangerous ends. 🇷🇺 refuses to negotiate anything other than their terms. Francis saying it is "courageous" for 🇺🇦 to negotiate with 🇷🇺 to end the war, when it would condemn all Ukrainians under Russian territory. www.reuters.com/world/europe...
Pope says Ukraine should have 'courage of the white flag' of negotiations
Pope Francis has said in an interview that Ukraine should have what he called the courage of the "white flag" and negotiate an end to the war with Russia that followed Moscow's full-scale invasion two years ago and that has killed tens of thousands.
www.reuters.comI had the privilege to be on the Big Story Podcast to discuss the Russo-Ukrainian War. Check it out here: open.spotify.com/episode/6r6V...
After two years of resistance, is Ukraine losing the war?
Listen to this episode from The Big Story on Spotify. Recent reports have seen Russian forces make some of their biggest gains into Ukrainian territory in recent weeks, while aid for Ukraine from west...
open.spotify.comICYMI
With today marking two years since Russia escalated its war against Ukraine, I wrote a short piece sharing what we know at this point: oleksadrachewych.com/2024/02/24/t...
The Russian Escalation in Ukraine, two years later
It has been two years since Russian president Vladimir Putin announced the beginning of the “special military operation” in Ukraine. While much ink has been spilled trying to analyze the events over t...
oleksadrachewych.comSame old, same old from Putin. No, the nuclear threats are not new. No, Russia is not interested in peace. Putin's foreign policy statements in speech are to enhance cracks and divide the consensus to support Ukraine. Moving on...
Got to love when the youtube comments to your recent podcast appearance are all pro-Russian or bots.
Had the privilege of being on the Big Story Podcast (recorded Friday, out today) to discuss the Russo-Ukrainian War, where it stands, the role of international support, and the consequences of the limitations of that international support, along with a lot more. If interested, listen here:
After two years of resistance, is Ukraine losing the war? — The Big Story
Recent reports have seen Russian forces make some of their biggest gains into Ukrainian territory in recent weeks, while aid for Ukraine from western allies has become harder and harder to come by. Do...
thebigstorypodcast.caWith today marking two years since Russia escalated its war against Ukraine, I wrote a short piece sharing what we know at this point: oleksadrachewych.com/2024/02/24/t...
The Russian Escalation in Ukraine, two years later
It has been two years since Russian president Vladimir Putin announced the beginning of the “special military operation” in Ukraine. While much ink has been spilled trying to analyze the events over t...
oleksadrachewych.comThis is just a reminder that there are a wealth of great scholars of Russia and Ukraine who could speak on two years since Russia escalated its war against Ukraine. Lean on expertise.
Nearly two years ago, I wrote about the duty historians have to respond to Putin's instrumentalization of history while correcting his narrative. Two years later, this work is still necessary. activehistory.ca/blog/2022/03...
Putin’s War on Ukraine and on History
Oleksa Drachewych On February 24, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin escalated his war of aggression against Ukraine. He began a “special military action” claiming he would “demilitarize” and “…
activehistory.caI'll add I've offered an op-ed for one notable paper in Canada. So maybe that leads to something.
I was part of an hour long discussion last year. I'm hoping this will change. Even to remind people of what is happening.
There is something to be said that with it being two years since Russia's escalation in Ukraine, I have not yet been asked to speak with media.
This is a great moment to remind people that the world that existed before Feb. 24, 2022 no longer exists. And that world is definitely not returning if Russia learns its aggression will be rewarded. Instead, it learns it can dictate terms in many realms and that other nations will fold.
The right in the US and Europe believe now that Ukraine should be forced to negotiate. Add Trump's consistent praise of Putin and others. Add how Carlson framed the interview, it unfortunately is resonating as Putin likely wanted in parts of US even if we know it's bullshit.
ICYMI: My piece in the Moscow Times on why peace is elusive in the Russo-Ukrainian War.
Calling for an End to War Is Not the Same as Calling for Peace
Opinion | As 2023 drew to a close, a fresh round of columns calling for a negotiated settlement to the war in Ukraine appeared in Western news outlets.
www.themoscowtimes.comThat said, I fully agree with Robert English when he says he is "imperious as well as imperialistic, and so compromise with him may be impossible." He has his terms and continues to dictate them. That has not changed no matter how many times he suggests he's ready for "peace."
Allow me to respectfully disagree. To say he's "off the rails" suggests he's irrational. He is not. He took the opportunity to double-down on his instrumentalization of history and in his typical style (See Feb 21 2022). He also said what the far-right wants to hear re: Russia on Ukraine.
Russia historians say the Tucker Carlson interview solidified one thing about Putin — he's off the rails
Meanwhile, US senators are working to advance a bill that would provide aid to Ukraine and Israel, but its prospects in the House remain uncertain.
www.businessinsider.comIf you explain the war by highlighting Russian concerns over "spheres of influence" re: Ukraine turning to West without condemnation of Russian imperial aims, you support Great Power methods to view and run the world. (2/2)
If you still believe NATO "expansion" is why the Russo-Ukrainian War expanded in Feb 2022, you need to explain Russia's limited response to Finnish & Swedish entry. Ukraine is clearly different. Russian atrocities further highlight this. The war is imperial. (1/2)
If people take anything from this piece, take this point: "The Western tendency to reduce mass-scale crime to an omnipotent leader has always been a misleading one." Use what we know of Stalinism, from many historians, to help us understand what is happening today. www.cnn.com/2024/01/20/o...
Opinion: What the West gets wrong on Stalin and Putin | CNN
Jade McGlynn explores the true picture behind newly built ‘Stalin Centers’ and statues – and Putin’s delicate balancing act on the former Communist dictator.
www.cnn.comMy panel on 1919 as a key year in the 20th century, recorded at the Stratford Festival last summer for CBC ideas, is now online: www.cbc.ca/radio/ideas/...
Highly recommend. I share it with students every year and the excitement they gain from being able to dive into these resources is significant.
New collections added:
• Radical Times Archive (Australia with a QLD focus)
• Queer Indonesia Archive
Over 500 online and open access collections of radical, left-wing, labour and anti-colonial historical documents now listed. A great resource for researchers!
radical online collections and archives
I am very interested in the growing amount of radical literature from around the world that is being scanned and digitised. As there are so many and from many different places, I thought it would be u...
hatfulofhistory.wordpress.comH-Russia is always looking for more contributors to its blog series "Decolonizing Russian Studies" (networks.h-net.org/group/317) or "Starting Points" (networks.h-net.org/group/321). To see past posts and the CFP, click the respective links. Reach out if interested in contributing!
ICYMI: My latest on why peace is elusive in the Russo-Ukrainian War and why many calling for peace need to realize what that means.
My latest in the Moscow Times: Calling for an End to War Is Not the Same as Calling for Peace www.themoscowtimes.com/2024/01/05/c...
Calling for an End to War Is Not the Same as Calling for Peace
Opinion | As 2023 drew to a close, a fresh round of columns calling for a negotiated settlement to the war in Ukraine appeared in Western news outlets.
www.themoscowtimes.comICYMI:
My latest in the Moscow Times: Calling for an End to War Is Not the Same as Calling for Peace www.themoscowtimes.com/2024/01/05/c...
Calling for an End to War Is Not the Same as Calling for Peace
Opinion | As 2023 drew to a close, a fresh round of columns calling for a negotiated settlement to the war in Ukraine appeared in Western news outlets.
www.themoscowtimes.comIf only I can find the time - some (what I feel are) important pieces I'm working on to come out this year. Allow me to just find the time to finish them.
If only I can find the time - some exciting and (what I feel are) important pieces I'm working on to come out this year. Allow me to just find the time to finish them.
Rereading it today as I work to complete an article, but Brigid O'Keeffe's The Multiethnic Soviet Union and its Demise is truly a great book and overview of the subject.
Alright...a day before first class, I have the reading list (mostly) figured out for my 4th year Russia and the West seminar. Now to figure out the rest of my other 4th year seminar: Russia, The Soviet Union, and the Global South.