Opinion: Putin’s war? The case for Russia’s collective responsibility in Ukraine
Referring to Russia's invasion of Ukraine simply as "Putin's war" is quite common, but this framing is misleading. It oversimplifies the invasion, affects allies' perceptions, and fuels Russian propaganda. By focusing solely on the actions of Russian President Vladimir Putin, blame for this brutal aggression is shifted away from the Russian people.
In reality, millions of Russians are driving and sustaining the war, which calls for a broader examination of collective responsibility. The concept of collective responsibility holds that a group or society can bear moral accountability for certain actions or harms, even if not every individual directly contributes. Applying this to the Russian invasion of Ukraine means acknowledging that the Russian population, along with its institutions, bears moral responsibility for the war, given the vast number of Russians who facilitate continued aggression daily.
"The concept of collective responsibility holds that a group or society can bear moral accountability for certain actions or harms, even if not every individual directly contributes."
During a recent nationwide air attack on Ukraine, a husband and father in Lviv suffered an unimaginable loss - his wife and three daughters were killed in a missile strike that destroyed their home. In an instant, his entire family was taken from him, leaving him to endure grief beyond words. Images of this tragedy flooded social media, serving as a heartbreaking reminder of the devastating human toll Russia's war continues to inflict on innocent civilians.
Opinion: The West cannot use its values to make sense of Russia
During the last decade, Western governments, analysts, and media personalities have struggled to understand Russia's actions and renewed imperial aggression in Ukraine - especially as the invasion has turned into a quagmire that the Kremlin appears unable to escape. Since 2022, one-third of Russia'...
While the blame for such horrific losses is quickly placed on Putin, these victims were not killed by him alone. The missile that struck their home was not designed and built by Putin.
The fighter jet that delivered it was not fueled, maintained, or piloted by him. Putin did not prepare the meals for the military and support personnel. The uniforms they wore were not sewn by Putin.
Behind every strike and offensive operation is a vast network of Russian civilians and military personnel. This network includes countless individuals involved in every aspect of Russia's so-called "special military operation," from complex missile launches to basic administration. These tasks are carried out by average Russians working in various sectors - military, energy, manufacturing, food and agriculture, transportation, telecommunications, media.
People attend a concert dedicated to Russia's Defender of the Fatherland Day in Moscow, Russia, on Feb.
22, 2023, amid Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine. (Natalia Kolesnikova / AFP via Getty Images)
People visit an exhibition showcasing military equipment used by the Ukrainian military captured by Russian forces in Ukraine in Moscow, Russia, on May 8, 2024. (Natalia Kolesnikova / AFP via Getty Images)
A man passes by t-shirts featuring images of Russian President Vladimir Putin at a gift shop in Moscow, Russia, on Feb.
16, 2022. (Alexander Nemenov / AFP via Getty Images)
Each industry is critical to sustaining a war of this scale, and each employs millions of Russians. These workers may not hold positions of power or directly participate in combat, yet they are essential to maintaining Russia's military efforts against Ukraine. To claim that these individuals are unaware of their roles defies belief, especially since many Russians justify their contributions to the war, citing economic necessity.
For a Russian soldier, joining the armed forces is often seen as a job that provides money to support his family, the chance to receive a new car, or the opportunity to bring home a washing machine once used by a family in Ukraine. For a factory worker, overseeing the production of bullets that will be used against children in Ukraine is just another job. Russian social media is filled with such justifications, underscoring that these millions of individuals are fully aware of their roles in sustaining the war's destruction.
Opinion: Ukraine's road to victory may lie in a 'Korean solution'
Victory in war is sometimes easy to define. World War II ended with Allied troops in control of Berlin and Tokyo, and with the German and Japanese leadership removed. The Vietnam War, on the other hand, ended in a clear defeat for the United States: North Vietnam conquered South Vietnam
This immoral behavior must not be normalized, as it contributes to the dangerous acceptance of violence and aggression among a large segment of the population.
This widespread approval of "justified" violence, whether through direct or indirect participation, deepens moral corruption and presents significant challenges for societal rehabilitation once the war ends. By reducing the invasion to "one man's doing and one man's problem," not only does the West fail to fully grasp the situation, but Russian propagandists also benefit by portraying war facilitators as victims and "hostages" of the regime. This distortion of reality, promoted by both the state and opposition, allows Russia to whitewash its image, evade the topic of collective responsibility, and create further distraction and confusion in efforts to end the war and seek justice.
By demanding collective responsibility from Russia, we can dismantle the increasingly popular narrative of "Russians as innocent victims" and acknowledge the active role millions of Russians play in sustaining the war. This shift broadens the focus from Putin alone to the millions contributing to the brutal aggression. Editor's Note: The opinions expressed in the op-ed section are those of the authors and do not reflect the views of the Kyiv Independent.
Mariya Chukhnova
International security expert at The Critical Mass
Mariya Chukhnova is an international security and stability expert at The Critical Mass, an international security think tank based in Alexandria, Virginia.
Chukhnova is also a World Federation of Ukrainian Women's Organizations Representative to the United Nations Department of Global Communications.Read more