Espreso. Global
OPINION

Why tit-for-tat strategy is dangerous

19 October, 2023 Thursday
21:45

A country that has been attacked and is defending itself has no right to kill civilians and children of the attacker in retaliation. Even if its civilians and children were attacked in the most brutal way

client/title.list_title

Modern laws of warfare, the logic of defense and the paradigm of humanism do not provide for the use of the Talion principle – an eye for an eye. That is why Ukraine, in defense, does not attack Russian civilians, does not send missiles or drones into civilian homes, and does not kill the children of the enemy country. Although its population and its children have been attacked many times and often on purpose.

That is why the most brutal murderer is isolated from society as much as possible, and not even all countries now have the death penalty. And his crimes do not apply to his children, and the children are not responsible for their father.

Violence is dangerous because it gives rise to further violence and goes in a downward spiral. History knows many cases of long-term vendettas, when each party to the conflict could not stop, and this led to numerous victims being drawn into the threshing floor of death.

In addition, when you defend yourself against a terrorist using a terrorist's method, you fall into a trap and become one yourself. This is also a form of losing. In fact, Hamas's task was to draw Israel into a circle of violence, because they feel great there. And Russia's task is to provoke Ukraine into inhumane retaliatory actions so that people in the West can see that we are no different and that this is not a war for independence, but two semi-wild Asian states fighting and getting into a bloody massacre.

The point of defense and defensive warfare is not to win at any cost. Our enemies use this motivation, and we can see how far it has gone in exterminating our people and their own. Senseless destruction, just to avoid admitting defeat.

The essence of defensive warfare is not to allow yourself to be killed and, while repelling the attack, to look for a way to stop the violence on the horizon. After all, the population of the enemy country may not be spared. But your own people are very much. And to make your own army a hostage and a blind executor of an unbridled desire for revenge and harm at any cost as an end in itself is a recipe for an international court. Where, I hope, Russia's current political elite will end up.

Source

About the author: Volodymyr Hevko, marketer, blogger

The editors do not always share the opinions expressed by the authors of the blogs.


 
Tags:
Read also:
  • News
2025, Tuesday
4 February
21:45
Gimli robotic complex joins Ukraine's army, aiding in evacuation and resupply
21:30
Exclusive
When could Ukraine hold elections after the war? Lawyer explains
21:12
Ryanair plans to resume flights to Lviv, Kyiv 4-6 weeks after war ends
20:57
Black Sea tankers wreck: IMO holds Russia responsible
20:40
"Don't let them drain resources": military commander reacts to Trump
20:23
Polish Military Institute of Armament Technology, Ukrainian NAUDI agree to cooperate
20:07
Exclusive
USAID funding freeze: Expert Riabtsev on potential risks for Ukraine’s energy sector
19:51
Exclusive
Trump's proposal to get rare metals from Ukraine is political move – analyst
19:35
"We are open to U.S. investments": Zelenskyy responds to Trump's statement on rare earth elements
19:08
Ukraine to introduce mandatory psychological aid training for doctors – First Lady
19:02
Updated
Russian ballistic missile strike on Ukraine’s Izyum kills 5, injures 52
18:50
Exclusive
Ukrainian forces may have to withdraw from Chasiv Yar – military analyst
18:33
Von der Leyen urges EU to find "most creative way" to use Russian assets for Ukraine
18:15
Exclusive
Western weapons can now strike deep into Russia, but new problem emerges
17:54
U.S., Ukraine did not discuss elections before 2025 — Ambassador Markarova
17:34
Updated
"The situation is critical": IAEA chief visits key substations vital for Ukraine's nuclear power plants
17:14
Russian national hockey team banned from 2026 World Championship
16:55
Ukraine’s HIV response at risk amid U.S. aid freeze
16:33
Support for military aid to Ukraine declines in Poland
16:15
Russia equips Gerbera foam drones with warheads
15:56
Ukraine’s parliament approves defense loan agreement with UK
15:32
Ukrainian troops release GoPro footage of repelling Russian assault, eliminating two squads
15:14
OPINION
Ukraine’s power sector withstands winter challenges, but risks remain
14:55
Ukraine’s embassy facilitates meetings between Zelenskyy, Trump teams — Ambassador
14:33
Hopes for Russian democracy met harsh reality – Ex-MP Kendzior on Ukrainian diaspora in 1990s
13:57
Review
Russian advance slows down, how Ukrainian Armed Forces approaches change. Serhiy Zgurets' column
13:35
U.S. firefighters document impact of Russian strikes in Ukraine, set to release second film
13:16
Exclusive
Ukraine takes key step in reforming Armed Forces management system – military expert
12:55
Norway provides significant aid to Ukraine but profits from war-driven revenues
12:34
Exclusive
Ukraine Russia war live map, January 15-22
Russian forces scale back assaults in Pokrovsk sector: Ukrainian officer explains why
12:14
Exclusive
Ukraine Russia war live map, January 22-29
Russian forces pushing to launch battle for Kostiantynivka, Donetsk region
11:51
Ukraine retakes positions in Kupyansk, Russian command threatens troops with execution for retreating
11:32
OPINION
Where will Putin and Trump meet?
11:15
North Korean troops no longer fighting in Russia’s Kursk region — South Korean intel
10:53
110 clashes reported at front as Russian forces launch over 6,000 attacks on Ukraine
10:34
Russian army continues to suffer heavy losses despite slowing offensive – ISW
10:13
Scholz calls Trump’s proposal to trade Ukrainian rare earths for U.S. aid "very selfish"
09:54
Russian overnight attack on Ukraine: UAV debris hits Kyiv high-rise, fires in Cherkasy
09:35
Russia loses 1,270 soldiers, 92 drones, 18 tanks in one day of war in Ukraine
2025, Monday
3 February
22:00
Nearly 63,000 people are missing in Ukraine
More news