Russians are destroying everything Ukrainian, particularly hating our education and science. Kindergartens and schools were harmed in Kyiv yesterday, before that a lyceum in Ivankiv and a university in the capital. Today, they struck the National Academy of Sciences. There are casualties. A terrible tragedy.
Sincere condolences to the families and friends of the deceased, colleagues, and the entire academic community. We remain in contact with Volodymyr Horbulin. You can count on our support.
The Russian Federation’s army launched a deliberate cynical strike on the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. People died, some are missing, injured.
Perhaps it is worth emphasizing once again that Russia systematically violates the norms of International Humanitarian Law, as it strikes not just at a civilian institution where there are no military personnel at all (any fool taking photos for money on Telegram could verify this). It also specifically directs a reactive drone during working hours to kill as many people as possible.
It pained me to see the burning building where I spent a lot of time in scientific discussions with colleagues.
It was painful to see colleagues standing outside on windowsills trying to escape from the flames.
It was painful to learn about the deceased and injured.
This terrible tragedy has several dimensions.
1. I am sure the strike was not accidental.
Russia, now fully relying on its science and scientists and developing its means of attack, fully realizes the technological nature of the current war. And the threat to it – to Russia – from our intellect.
It is clear to everyone that simply compiling Chinese components does not allow for achieving an advantage on the battlefield. Only knowledge and technology can provide a qualitative advantage, cause maximum damage, or, conversely, save lives.
Sorry, but all manufacturers have already faced the fact that DIY products no longer work. Minds, directories, and formulas are needed.
It seems that Russians have realized this danger and decided to introduce a new dimension to the term “science outside politics”.
2. This is, in fact, the second point. Science outside politics.
As Russian scientists assured us, complaining about sanctions and demanding their cancellation.
Today, Russia proved that there is no science outside of politics.
Russian scientists develop methods and technologies every day that enable better ways to kill Ukrainians, including their own Ukrainian colleagues.
More than one scientific institute has been destroyed. The attack on the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine is simply a signal, “we kill everyone because we can.”
Sanctions against Russian science must be intensified and deepened. There is a peaceful atom, but no peaceful Russian science.
3. Does Ukraine recognize the importance of our science as Russia does?
It would be worth mentioning the interest in science from both the whole Ukrainian society and its elected deputies (oh, how inadequate it is). Do you remember anything?
Because the question is where are our turbojet interceptors? — it’s not about whether they exist, because they do. It’s about where our technologies for them are, including turbojet engines, bearings that can withstand 100,000 revolutions per minute, special alloys, and other components.
Because that’s what determines the mass production of any, even the best, weapon.
I once wrote, and I will write again. The average citizen before 2014 despised the Army and did not see its necessity. Then, suddenly, it became clear.
Now, in 2026, somewhere in the minds, a neural connection should stir between “turbojet engine-massive interceptors-PVO.”
It turns out that those who have been shouting for years about the importance of their technologies, because not everything can be bought or received, were not crazy. But who listened?
And thus, science is indeed unnecessary (sarcasm). As unnecessary as mathematics and children in engineering faculties (sarcasm). We will fend off with geographers and managers (sarcasm again).
We’ll buy/ask for missiles from the West (very sad sarcasm).
Lastly, purely subjective.
Russia does not achieve any military objectives with these selective bombings. (Just as Germany did not achieve with the bombing of London by their missiles). It’s pure terror and, of course, an economic stranglehold hoping that we will crumble from within.
And here are only two questions:
1. What’s happening with international sanctions?
2. What’s happening with the society’s ability to rebuild its life considering the current realities (I’ve written about this more than once)?
I hope that at least one plus of these shellings of Kyiv is that more men and women will join the Defense Forces, fully realizing that it’s not possible to just sit it out.
This is a war of extermination.
Russians don’t care what your jaw, cyst, human status, desire for higher education at 40+, illegitimate children, or dependents are.
Wake up. It will not get easier. But the enemy can be made to suffer more.
Sincere condolences to the relatives and friends of the deceased. Recovery to the wounded.
Have a quiet evening.
The strike on the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine building is another crime by the Rashists. Another one.
Kindergartens, schools, hospitals, universities, churches, architectural monuments are affected; torture and abuse of peaceful civilians in occupied communities; artificial famine in Oleshky; humanitarian and environmental catastrophe in the occupied lands…
Such is the face and style of behavior of the enemy. He does not hide, he is proud. These crimes must be made known to the world—not to frighten, but to push for pressure on the aggressor.
But they must also push us within the country. For a faster launch of retaliatory means, including the long-promised ballistics. For putting order in mobilization—terms of service, rotations, preparation, and provision. Ultimately, for a coordinated foreign policy, the only measure of which is the result: in sanctions on Russia, in protection of Ukrainian communities, in helping Ukraine.
Russia’s crimes can only be stopped by depriving it of the ability to commit them.
Last week in Kharkiv and the region, at least 17 civilians were killed by Russians (some data arrives with delay). One of the latest victims: on September 27, a 13-year-old boy died in a hospital, admitted on September 21 with 60% body burns after a Russian drone attack on a residential house in the village of Katerynivka, Lozova community. His mother died in the strike. Another 55 civilians were injured over the week.
Today, at the start of five in the morning, Russia struck a nine-story residential building in Kharkiv. 43 injured, including 11 children.
Right now, there is a fire in one of the NASU buildings in the very center of Kyiv. It is already known about one fatality. Strikes on a medical facility in the center and a warehouse with medicines and medical equipment in one of the districts. In total, 19 injured in the capital so far (6 children). Due to alerts, the educational process in Kyiv schools today could last only 54 minutes.
And it’s not even about the fact that the strike on NASU was 150 meters from the German embassy.
Despite all the pompous rhetoric, the Kremlin realizes the deadlock on the front. Therefore, it discarded all half-measures and completely succumbed to outright barbarism. Because winter is coming.
The series of attacks on civilian targets in the city center during the day (!) cannot be explained by any military objectives—it’s pure and unadulterated terror.
I won’t comment on the air defense topic—lots of commentators already.
I will traditionally draw the attention of European partners: if the Kremlin is doing this to Kyiv, to which there are many sentiments (for example: the father of Kirill Dmitriev works in the NNU system), imagine what will happen to your cities? For instance, Warsaw, which Russians have a particularly tender feeling for.
It’s impossible to negotiate for the Kremlin to back off.
Either collectively we manage to calm Putin quickly, or he will have a chance to exclude Ukraine from the equation.
And Ukraine then won’t be able to help.
