"The war was started by fascists," says Russian student Maxim

The freshman International Human Resources Management contacted SaxNow himself, because he feels it as his duty as a (young) man to speak out against the injustice done to Ukrainians. "I will not and cannot remain silent, although it can be risky to make my voice heard," he says. "This terrible war of Putin, is one of a madman." As is the ‘idiotic’ propaganda from the Kremlin. Maxim: "The total nonsense of denazifying Ukraine, when the only Nazi is Putin himself. Where else do people who speak out against Putin and his entourage disappear? In Russia."

Maxim has a Russian passport but was born in Ghana, where his parents work. He visited Russia regularly, living in Moscow and the Caucasus. This summer he was there, finalizing papers and visas to study in Enschede. He visited family and friends, not knowing that an invasion would follow. Now the door to Russia is closed, Maxim knows. "I'm not going back anytime soon. But if I would, it would be to visit my friends. To make sure they are alright. I think I speak for my generation: everyone with access to information knows that Putin is evil. My beloved nation has been taken over by fascist who disregard the people."

Not his leader

Maxim expresses himself carefully. He says he understands the pain of the Ukrainians and the community at Saxion, but really comprehend - he can't. Just like other Russians. How could they: it is not his country and his city that is being bombed. Not his relatives in bomb shelters. He feels devastated, despite the fact that Putin is not his leader.

'A disaster' is how Maxim calls Putin's reign of terror. According to him, the majority of Russians agree. "You see it in the enormously poor morale of the soldiers, who were lied to that they were going to train. You see it in the protests, which people held despite certain prison sentences. You see it in the Russians fleeing the country."

Last Monday, Maxim attended a meeting at Saxion. This time organized for the Russian community. There were only a few students, he says. Maxim thinks it has to do with feelings of shock and devastation, and with the judgment others are quick to make of Russians. "I understand that too," Maxim says. "But I hope people understand that I have nothing to do with this war. I am just a simple young man - just like the other Russian students. This is definitely not our war. In fact, our country is being thrown back in time. A huge recession is coming, because of this medieval barbarism we are going back to the poverty of the 1990s."

Forced and brainwashed

And that's why the student is telling his story in public. "If I can contribute even one millionth to ending this madness, I should do it," he says. "Everything about this war is hopeless. Russian soldiers are being forced and brainwashed to fight against their brothers, we're already hearing that the police have to go to Ukraine to maintain order. It's such nonsense. We already knew that Ukraine is a strong, proud and resilient nation. They will not bow to tyranny."

Maxim meanwhile feel lucky to be safe in the Netherlands. He has his visa to study in the Netherlands and knows that he will not go back to Russia, at least not as long as Putin is in charge. He feels supported by Saxion and the Netherlands and hopes that this ‘shameful war’ does not spill over to the Russian and Ukrainian communities, for example at Saxion.

And his hero in this lurid story? "President Zelenski. What an honorable, admirable man. He is a symbol of Ukrainians who will not let this injustice happen."