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A Mother's Execution
November, 2023
On a cold November morning, only days after we celebrated Mother’s Day, I was assigned to the firing squad. I watched as a young Ukrainian woman, accused of criticizing our army, face death. Only afterwards did I learn she was in the early months of pregnancy. Prison doctors had withheld this information from us but it leaked after we had completed our task.
It's a weight I can't shake. How could we, in the name of duty, take a life so recklessly? She was just a girl with a voice, silenced by our guns. I've taken not just her life, but the life of an innocent child. Last night I was haunted by images of her small frame holding a child at her bare breasts.
On a cold November morning, only days after we celebrated Mother’s Day, I was assigned to the firing squad. I watched as a young Ukrainian woman, accused of criticizing our army, face death. Only afterwards did I learn she was in the early months of pregnancy. Prison doctors had withheld this information from us but it leaked after we had completed our task.
It's a weight I can't shake. How could we, in the name of duty, take a life so recklessly? She was just a girl with a voice, silenced by our guns. I've taken not just her life, but the life of an innocent child. Last night I was haunted by images of her small frame holding a child at her bare breasts.
Published 17th May 2024
| Edited 19th May 2024
Author's Note
Russians celebrate Mother's Day in November.
All writing remains the property of the author. Don't use it for any purpose without their permission.
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21st May 2024 1:06am
