Photo/Illutration Two parts of a building wrecked by a Russian bombardment are seen in Borodyanka, near Kyiv, Ukraine, on Aug. 7. (Wataru Sekita)

Exactly six months ago on Feb. 24, Ukrainian citizens were violently robbed of their peaceful daily lives when Russian forces began invading their country.

There are no signs yet of this war ending anytime soon.

How many people have lost their lives, futures or homes, or been torn away from their families? In the absence of any clear overall picture, the war continues to generate new tragedies every day.

According to the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), more than 11 million people had fled Ukraine by August, while 6.6 million have remained and are internally displaced in their own country.

Although some of the emigres have returned home, life is no longer the same for most.

Confirmed civilian deaths top 5,500, of whom more than 360 are children. But since these numbers do not cover eastern Ukraine where the fiercest battles are being fought, there is no question that the actual number of victims is far greater.

Several tens of thousands of troops--Russian and Ukrainian combined--are believed to have died, but the reality remains veiled behind military secrecy.

The extent to which human lives are taken lightly is proof enough that contemporary war represents the ultimate violation of human rights.

The massacre of civilians and the destruction of neighborhoods are occurring almost entirely within Ukrainian territory. This bespeaks the outrageousness of this war of an arbitrary invasion.

Actually, this war is quite unique in the sense that it was started by a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, who bears special responsibility under the U.N. Charter.

In invading Ukraine to expand its territory, Russia has not only flaunted its nuclear capability, but also shaken the post-World War II global order from its foundation.

As well, the impact of this war on the global economy is considerable, as seen in the skyrocketing prices of food and energy.

Should this blatant act of aggression be allowed to set a precedent, that would leave a huge problem for global security in the future. The fact that many nations are supporting Ukraine in their own ways reveals their sense of deep crisis.

The thinking of the Russian leadership is nothing short of aberrant. President Vladimir Putin said Ukraine cannot exercise sovereignty unless it obeys Russia. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev even hinted at the possibility of Ukraine disappearing from the world map in two years.

Anyone seeking Ukraine's autonomy from Russia is labelled a "neo-Nazi" by the Kremlin and subject to elimination. Russia's occupation policy smacks of genocide, which is inconceivable in the 21st century.

Examples of forcible "Russianization" of Ukraine are being reported, as in ethnic profiling and execution of citizens, arbitrary arrests, giving Russian citizenship to Ukrainians, introduction of Russian-style education, and so on.

Many people who are being denied their right to be Ukrainians are boosting their determination to remain independent and anti-Russian. We do not believe their resolve to resist will weaken easily.

Russia alone can end this tragedy, and Russia alone is responsible for it. We demand an immediate cease-fire and withdrawal of troops from Ukraine.

--The Asahi Shimbun, Aug. 24

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