**Russia’s Military Path Runs from Syria to Ukraine**
Russia’s military actions in Syria have been a rehearsal for its war with Ukraine. In 2015, Russia intervened on behalf of Syrian regime leader Bashar al-Assad and tested out long-range Kalibr cruise missiles over the country.
These missile attacks were documented by the Russian Ministry of Defence on YouTube, giving citizens a chance to see the nation’s arsenal in action. The video garnered nearly eight million views. However, these same bombs dropped on Syria have devastated its towns and cities, forcing millions to flee as refugees.
**The Guernica Pattern**
The aerial bombardment of civilians has evolved into a distinctly modern form of warfare. This was first revealed on April 26, 1937, when Nazi Germany attacked the Spanish city of Guernica. The attack served as a rehearsal for the widespread bombing of civilian centers during World War II.
Today, Russia’s targeting of urban centers in Syria and Ukraine follows the same flawed logic that guided the Nazi bombing campaigns. However, these attacks have instead catalyzed defiance and resilience among the Syrian and Ukrainian people.
**Refugees and Displacement**
The story of refugees is often neglected, but it shows how desperate they are to return home. Maria Marchenko, a Ukrainian writer, left her life in Italy to make it back to Ukraine when Russia seemed unable to take Kyiv. This yearning for home is universal, and news reports have shown lines of Syrian refugees waiting at borders, hoping to return whenever conditions allow.
**A Historical Pattern**
The events in Syria demonstrate that there is hope that these waves of violence can come to an end on the Black Sea as well. The Mediterranean has witnessed waves and histories of violence, but the outcome in Syria shows that peace is possible.
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