The factory director tells us we won’t be working any more today because we have a special surprise. We’re going to our beautiful national stadium to hear a speech by the great Vladimir Putin who’s been our powerful president since before I could walk. A few people say they don’t want to go and that’s fine since they’re unpleasant sorts. Most of us hurry to get our places on the bus to the subway which is decorated with stained glass and wonderful murals.

I’ve seen our national stadium on television many times but this is the first time in person and I feel the energy from cheering people who pack the stadium and wave our red, white, and blue flags celebrating the eighth anniversary of liberating Crimea. I’m so anxious to see President Putin, and suddenly there’s more excitement as he marches on stage in the center of us, down on the field. He looks great in a beige turtleneck and blue coat unzipped half way down.

Now we learn what’s really going on in Ukraine. President Putin has ordered a special military operation against neo-nazis, and our troops are marching heroically, shoulder to shoulder, to liberate Russians in Ukraine and he’s so proud to tell us “we have not had unity like this for a long time.” No one can beat us now.

I’m going to report people who whisper that our troops are attacking civilian targets. That’s a fascist lie. President Putin is a strong and confident man who would never do such a thing. And those who say otherwise deserve fifteen years in prison.

This is a series of stories about the Russo-Ukrainian War