Good morning to readers; #Kyiv remains in #Ukraine’s hands.

#Russia is made up of numerous nations whose demands for self-determination cannot be heard.

Some, like Aset Sabb, believe Russian expansionism & war will never end until the empire is broken up into its component parts.

#Russia has long been a prison of nations, using force to suppress unique nationalities and cultures.
Nowadays, #Russia consists of 21 national republics and almost 200 ethnic groups, each with its own distinct cultures. The majority of these populations have been subject to attempts to systematically assimilate them. Independent movements are suppressed before they can gain momentum.
Many #Ukrainians – and independence activists fighting for freedom – believe that the #Russian empire will continue its violent expansionism unless it breaks up into its component national parts, when all its cultures and peoples are given self-determination.
The Chechens became the first victims of Russia’s imperial violence in the history of modern #Russia. Few understand this better than Aset Sabb, whose people have struggled for freedom from Russia for generations.
She was just three years old in 1994 when Russian forces invaded her homeland, the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria. At the time, the Chechens tried to declare independence after the collapse of the #Soviet Union. But #Russia refused to grant it.
The newly-proclaimed republic soon found itself under an economic and transportation blockade since #Moscow did not want to lose power over Ichkeria (commonly known as Chechnya, but this name is used by the #Russians to cement its status as part of the Russian Federation).
Unlike other former empires, #Russia has failed to decolonize. It is still a classic empire, continuing the extraction of resources to finance the conquest of new lands.

As long as #Russia exists in its current form as a vast empire, it will not abandon its policy of expanding the ‘Russian world.’

Even if #Ukraine wins the war, if the Russian empire does not disintegrate, new aggression against Ukraine and other countries is inevitable.

Dive Into the Heart of Ukraine's Stories, especially about Aset Sabb.

Subscribe to The Counteroffensive for Free through the Link.

Join Us!

https://www.counteroffensive.news/p/imagining-the-russian-empires-collapse

Imagining the Russian empire's collapse

The Russian empire is made up of many nations, forced under authoritarianism to exist under a single state. Some Ukrainians believe Ukraine won't be safe until Russia's empire is broken apart.

The Counteroffensive with Tim Mak

NEWS OF THE DAY:

We’re devoting this whole section to our reporting on Zelenskyy’s meeting with #Biden tomorrow:

#ZELENSKYY PRESENTS #UKRAINE VICTORY PLAN TO BIDEN THURSDAY: Zelenskyy announced that his plan for victory is to strengthen Ukraine's position.

https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/ukrainian-president-volodymyr-zelenskyy-discusses-victory-plan-present/story?id=113936347

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discusses 'Victory Plan' he will present to Biden: GMA exclusive

Zelenskyy says the plan aims to strengthen Ukraine to force Russia to negotiate.

ABC News
The Counteroffensive reached out to #Ukrainian and #American experts to take a closer look at the expected key points of Ukraine's plan for winning the war against #Russia.
1. PEACE THROUGH LONG-RANGE STRIKES: In order to implement #Zelenskyy's Peace Formula, which includes the liberation of Ukraine's territories and the withdrawal of #Russian troops, #Ukraine must strike the aggressor's territory, explained Oleksandr Merezhko.

2. UKRAINE'S INVITATION TO NATO: Andrii Yermak, head of the Presidential Office, during his visit to the #U.S. has mentioned that part of the victory plan is an invitation for #Ukraine to join #NATO.

https://kyivindependent.com/ukraines-victory-plan-includes-invitation-to-nato-yermak-confirms/

Invitation to NATO part of Ukraine's victory plan, Yermak confirms

An invitation to join NATO is part of Ukraine’s “victory plan,” head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak said during a visit to the U.S. on Sept. 24.

The Kyiv Independent

3. ECONOMIC PRESSURE ON RUSSIA: “We cannot compete with Russia only by using modern Western weapons,” Merezhko explained.

Since #Russia has learned to circumvent Western sanctions, the economic component of the plan may include toughening sanctions against Russia.

4. GUARANTEES OF FURTHER SUPPORT FOR #UKRAINE: It’s significant that #Zelenskyy is going to meet with the current president and both presidential candidates.

Today we unexpectedly have a Cow of War, which Myroslava saw in her parents’ yard.

In the meantime, share photos of your pets: cats, dogs, parrots, hamsters, or even cows!

Stand with Us in Supporting Ukraine

Amplify the Voices Living in the Shadows of War

Follow Our Newsletter Through the Link!
https://www.counteroffensive.news/

The Counteroffensive with Tim Mak | Substack

A war correspondent's open notebook, reporting live from Kyiv. Human stories that illustrate what’s happening during the war in Ukraine, and elsewhere on the frontlines for democracy. Issues 3x a week! Click to read The Counteroffensive with Tim Mak, a Substack publication with hundreds of thousands of subscribers.

@timkmak
This is my cactus of war, given to me as a housewarming gift by my Ukrainian teacher when I finally succeeded in renting an apartment in Kyiv. I named it Volia (Воля): Will.

@timkmak
U.S. national security experts disagree so it's pretty much meaningless what anyone else thinks.

The use of Ukrainian made weapons to attack the ammunition depots sure seems to support the U.S. position as well too.

@timkmak and you’ll get dozens nuclear states at once, great plan, dude