How is it possible that such a senseless act of aggression could last this long?
That was the question that came to mind today when I noticed this staggering number. I still remember the beginning of Russia’s open war against Ukraine. In the early days, I even followed some Telegram groups where soldiers shared photos of tanks destroyed by drones used by the Ukrainians. I never lacked for quality information broadcast by the main Portuguese TV channels—whether the general news programs or the dedicated news channels.
Months passed, and more conflicts arose. Now, with the latest escalation of the war between Israel and Iran, media attention has clearly shifted... But every day, people continue to die defending one nation or attacking another. Deaths are equally suffered on both sides of the border. Some are called upon to defend their nation from a barbaric attack by a Federation ruled by a true imperialist; others are forced to serve the megalomaniacal purposes of their nation’s leader. In the middle, the people, who end up suffering not only from the deaths of their young and the attacks they face, but from a new normal. A “normal” that will never be the same again.
Entire towns, which were razed to the ground. Lives shattered. Historic monuments, schools, parks, libraries, hospitals, and thousands upon thousands of civilian homes, as well as power distribution facilities. Transportation routes destroyed, bridges, and airports. Utter devastation in the name of something that only makes sense to madmen.
We must not let this conflict fade into oblivion. A nation backed into a corner, forced to surrender its national territory to another. But there is not the slightest chance of that happening. In the end, Democracy will prevail. I believe that only Democracy will prevail.
We cannot allow soldiers and civilians, including children, to continue dying for something they did not ask for.
Original text written by 
