From Finland, does the war look different?
Russia has tried to invade Finland century after century. My grandfather is a war veteran, something that is part of every family in the country, therefore we have a very clear determination to defend ourselves.
He has investigated sexual crimes by Russian troops in Ukraine.
For Russia, sexual violence is a war tactic.
But that happens in all wars.
In Russia, misogyny is state policy. Russia has always been sitting on the throne of impunity.
All countries did terrible things during the Great War.
But if a British soldier does something that goes against British law they can be taken to court and politicians do not support such crimes. In Russia, politicians do support the crimes committed by Russian soldiers.
How does Russia use sexual violence in Ukraine?
In the occupied territories they carry out house-to-house searches, where they do whatever they want. The range in Ukraine of people who are victims of sexual violence is from 4 to 80 years old.
Now those cases are being recorded.
Many women say that while they are brutally raped, the soldiers repeat to them: “We will rape you until you no longer want to have sexual relations with Ukrainians or until you cannot have Ukrainian children.” And men suffer from it too.
Violations?
Torturing the genitals by applying electricity is very common among both civilians and prisoners of war, and they are castrated; corpses like this have been found.
Do Russian mothers and wives approve of rape in Ukraine?
Many support it. In comments on social networks it is seen that there is an acceptance of war crimes, proud mothers of her son who is a defender of the country, and then there are the tapped telephone conversations.
What do they reveal?
That girlfriends, wives and mothers of soldiers are aware of the violations, and even encourage them to continue. It is horrifying to hear how a mother and her son from Ukraine talk about different forms of torture.
Curious conversation.
They agreed that inserting an iron tube through the victim’s anus is a good method because it allows the insertion of barbed wire that remains inside when the tube is removed.
Incredible.
There are lists of daughters, mothers and wives of important figures to rape, lists of sexual minorities and human rights activists.
You talk about Homo putinicus, what is that?
A patriotic, militaristic and misogynistic identity that has taken elements from tsarist imperialism and the Soviet past, a mental framework where the key is unconditional support for the regime.
And what is that man like?
Gender roles are very traditional, women must have children and stay at home, and there is also a call to fight against Western civilization.
Are the rights of Russian women diminishing?
Yes, rights like abortion that were very powerful in Russia. And domestic violence has not stopped rising since Putin has been president; It was practically legalized with the help of the Orthodox Church, whose patriarch called it a foreign invention.
Why do women support Putin?
It is a carrot and stick country, if you support the regime you are rewarded and if you don’t, you receive a punishment.
Tell me about those awards.
If you send your son to war they give you an allowance, if you are willing to educate children kidnapped in Ukraine they pay you. War can become a profession for Russian women.
Well paid?
The Russian teachers sent to the occupied territories of Ukraine have a good salary and are in charge of spreading the regime’s propaganda.
How is it possible?
Impunity is one of the worst Russian traditions. They instill in them that their country has never attacked anyone.
Does history repeat itself?
In 1944 my great-aunt was kidnapped and interrogated by Soviet officials, tortured and raped, she returned home alive but never spoke again.
Why was she questioned?
She was from Estonia and pretty, that was reason enough. They don’t need reasons, neither yesterday nor today.
What alarms you most about this invasion?
Russia uniting with other totalitarian regimes and authoritarian leaders is a global threat to democracy.
