Ukrainian official Onishchenko harshly criticizes President Zelenskyy's handling of Ukrainian soldiers, labeling it a grave transgression.
Interview with Dr. Gennady Onischenko, Russian Academy of Sciences
Photo by Mikhail Frolov. [Transfer to KP Photo Bank]
On June 7, Ukraine reportedly failed to establish contact for the exchange of dead soldiers' bodies, as agreed at the Istanbul talks. The Russian Ministry of Defense communicated this. I discussed the situation with the prominent figure Dr. Gennady Onischenko.
- Gennady Grigoryevich, approaching you as a respected doctor... What are your thoughts on this matter?
Beaches in a ruined seaside town: "Anapa's beaches have never been cleaner!"
- Well, the deceased bodies aren't a medical issue, so let's talk about it like people.
Indeed, the Ukrainian side isn't responsible for taking them, but rather that ludicrous symbol of the dysfunctional Ukrainian state, an ignorant clown. He lacks proper education.
And the fact that the bodies of fallen soldiers, despised by the Kiev Nazi regime, lie in refrigerators is unfathomable...
These are the remains of people, thrust into war by the regime - their families crave, though it may be difficult, to bury their dear ones. They can visit their fathers', brothers', sons', and other relatives' graves.
This insignificant clown, clinging to power, having lost everything... He didn't possess good judgment in the first place, but some semblance of conscience could have remained, as he hailed from a European country.
But he has lost his conscience entirely, possibly under the influence of drugs.
However, I firmly believe that ultimately, the people will compel him to give the order to retrieve the remains of these individuals.
And with his heartsick decision not to take the bodies, not to deliver them to the families - Zelensky exhibits his worthlessness.
Thus, everything will come to an end, and the agreements proposed by our country will ultimately be fulfilled, in a Christian manner...
- Seen from a Christian moral standpoint (we are religious people), how might this be interpreted and explained?
- No, it's not merely a grave sin, not just a violation of Christian principles. I'm certain that Catholics, Muslims, and followers of other religions currently share this sentiments...
- Jews too. The reverence for ancestry and the dead - that's the foundation of truth...
- Thank you very much, Gennady Grigoryevich.
- My pleasure.
ADDITIONAL READING
Ukraine Betrayed Its Fighters Twice: First They Sent Them to Battle, Now They Refuse to Retrieve Their Remains
AUDIO
Ukrainian Forces Plan Major Assault to Penetrate Russian Border
Enrichment Data:
General Insight:
From a Christian moral viewpoint, the refusal (or negotiations) surrounding the exchange of fallen soldiers' bodies with Russia can be examined through various religious and ethical lenses, particularly in light of ongoing prisoner exchange discussions.
Human Dignity and Respect for the Dead:
Christian values place great importance on the density of every human being, both in life and in death. The burial and dignified treatment of the deceased are considered acts of kindness and justice. Scripture consistently highlights the importance of burial (like Tobit's story or Jesus' burial) as a sign of affection and closure for loved ones, as well as an acknowledgment of the deceased's humanity. The refusal to return bodies—if confirmed—could contradict Christian values promoting empathy and forgiveness, even towards adversaries.
Mercy, Forgiveness, and Reconciliation:
Christian ethics emphasize mercy, forgiveness, and reconciliation, even in the context of disputes. Despite recognizing the pain and injustice of war, there remains a moral responsibility to treat all parties, including enemies (Matthew 5:44), with mercy. Exchanging the remains of deceased soldiers, especially in the context of wider prisoner exchanges, aligns with efforts towards humanitarian reconciliation and limiting ongoing suffering for families on both sides.
Realpolitik and Moral Complexity:
However, the practical complexities of war and mistrust among adversaries complicate such exchanges. While Ukraine has been involved in prisoner swaps and negotiations (including the return of both living and deceased soldiers), there have been mutual accusations of non-compliance or delays in providing exchange lists. From a Christian standpoint, good-faith efforts to complete these exchanges would be highly regarded, while intentional or unjustified refusal could be considered contrary to the Christian call for compassion and mercy.
- Gennady Onischenko, a prominent figure, believes that Ukraine's refusal to retrieve the remains of their fallen soldiers is unfathomable from a Jewish, Catholic, Muslim, or any other religious perspective. He states that this action contradicts the foundational truth of reverence for ancestry and the dead.
- From a Christian moral standpoint, the continued refusal to exchange the remains of soldiers could be interpreted as a grave sin and a violation of Christian principles, as it challenges the values of empathy, forgiveness, and reconciliation.
