STRIKE THE TRUTH

During the Continuation War, Finland experienced harrowing war crimes at the hands of the Soviet Union's army. Among these tragic events were the relentless attacks carried out by Soviet partisans within Finland between 1941 and 1944. These ruthless assaults targeted vulnerable locations such as remote border villages and ambushed vehicles, sparing neither civilians nor military personnel. As an irregular military force, the partisans conducted long-range penetration raids and reconnaissance missions deep inside Finnish territory. The toll of their violence was staggering, with approximately 170 Finnish civilians killed and 50 wounded in these raids. In this blog post, we delve into the details of these events and share the stories of survivors who witnessed the devastation wrought by the Soviet partisans. RUSSIAN PARTISAN RAIDS AND ACTIVITIES Soviet partisan operations played a pivotal role in the Soviet Union's strategy during Finland's Continuation War. Operating predomi

Dag Hammarskjöld, the second Secretary-General of the United Nations, was a man of immense integrity, dedication, and vision. His tragic death in 1961, while on a peace mission to the Congo, remains one of the most mysterious events in modern diplomatic history. More than six decades later, the circumstances surrounding his plane crash continue to be shrouded in controversy, spawning numerous theories and investigations. Let's delve into the life, work, and enduring legacy of Dag Hammarskjöld, and explore the persistent questions that surround his untimely demise. Dag Hammarskjöld EARLY LIFE Born on July 29, 1905, in Jönköping, Sweden, Dag Hammarskjöld was destined for a life of service. His father, Hjalmar Hammarskjöld, was Prime Minister of Sweden, and his mother, Agnes Almquist, came from a very established family as well. His mother was deeply religious. Raised in an environment that valued public service and intellectual pursuits, Dag inherited a deep sense of duty and a commi

In the frigid winter of 1984, Finland's serene northern landscape was jolted by an unexpected intrusion—a Soviet surface-to-air missile careening off course and crashing near Lake Inari. This surreal event not only shattered the tranquility of the Finnish wilderness but also reignited fears of Cold War tensions escalating beyond control.  Let's delve into the harrowing events of that December day and the lasting impact they left on Finland and its relations with its unpredictable eastern neighbor. February 2, 1985 when the missile was brought to the surface.  A SOVIET INTRUDER IN LAPLAND   In the midst of global nuclear tensions and political brinkmanship, the Soviet Union regularly conducted military tests to assert its dominance. However, on December 28, 1984, a routine test launch from the Barents Sea took a disastrous turn. The Soviet surface-to-air missile, suspected to be either an SS-N-3 or SS-N-12 but unconfirmed by the Soviets, veered wildly off its intended path. Inst

In the world of journalism, there are those who report the news, and then there are those who become the news themselves—martyrs for truth, justice, and freedom of speech. Anna Politkovskaya, a fearless Russian investigative journalist, fell into the latter category. Her life and tragic death serve as a reminder of the dangers journalists face when they dare to speak truth to power. In this blog post, we look at her life and the events surrounding her tragic murder, as well as the  investigation and the suspects arrested in the case.  Anna Politkovskaya EARLY LIFE Anna Mazepa Politkovskaya was born to Soviet diplomats, Stepan and Raisa Mazepa, based in New York City at the time of her birth. Her parents were based at the United Nations, and had Ukrainian roots. After the stint in America, her parents moved back to Moscow, Russia, where young Anna spent most of her childhood. After she graduated school, she went to Moscow State University and studied journalism in 1980.  While studying

The Moscow concert hall attack was a horrific event that shook Russia and the international community on March 22, 2024. Over 133 people died in this terrible attack, where several gunmen opened fire and set the building ablaze. However, this was not the first time that Russia faced terrorist attacks. The 1999 apartment bombings was just as shocking for the Russian people. Both events share something at the heart of this sadness; both have influenced Russian politics afterward in favor of Vladimir Putin. In this blog post, we will discuss the 1999 bombings, delving into the details of the attacks, the investigation and suspects, and how the events helped Putin's rise to power.  BOMBINGS AMIST POLITICAL INSTABILITY To understand the gravity of the 1999 Russian apartment bombings, it's essential to grasp the tumultuous political and social climate that characterized Russia during the late 1990s. Economic instability, separatist conflicts, and widespread disillusionment fueled ten