In 1933, the Soviet Union under Stalin inflicted a famine upon its people - mostly Ukrainians - that killed many millions. Each village got a "quota" of agricultural products they had to deliver to the communist state, the only problem being that the quota was higher than the total production. Then, Soviet soldiers were sent to confiscate all food from the villages. The goal was to enforce the communist plan of taking the land from the farmers and putting it into collectives.
"Holodomor" was 75 years ago, and I've lived half of that time without ever hearing of this particular atrocity. It is quite depressing that there are more crimes against humanity being committed than even an interested person is able to keep up with.
Also depressing is the current propaganda war going on between Russia and Kiev regarding the famine. Kiev is seeking international recognition for the famine as a genocide against the Ukrainian people, which would distance the country from Russia. Moscow responded to the commemoration with rhetoric rather than declarations of sympathy.
For my part, I am just reminded of why I deplore extreme ideologies in general and communism specifically.
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