As Russia continues to wage war on Ukraine, with wide-ranging effects on both citizens both in Ukraine and in Russia, the actions of Russian president Vladimir Putin have drawn international condemnation.
A tongue-in-cheek fundraiser from the Ukrainian government proposes to do what we all wish we could do.
If Putin expected to land a knockout blow shortly upon invading, he had another thing coming. Ukrainians have withstood the onslaught and prevented a full takeover so far — but this means that both sides are digging in for a long, protracted conflict.
The Russian president — or, as many would say, dictator — unilaterally chose to invade a sovereign European nation. These are actions the world hasn't seen since the Second World War.
Putin's actions have drawn international condemnation. Privately, many of us have probably wished that humanity could collectively fire Putin into the sun or something.
Well, Mykhailo Fedorov has basically proposed this.
The 'Send Putin to Jupiter' fundraiser, which began in March, features an image of Putin in a spaceship and features the tagline, "Help us send a bloody dictator far far away."
It seems almost unbelievable, but it's absolutely real. You can check out the website, which has text available in English, Ukrainian and Russian right here. You can also check out Snopes, which has verified its authenticity.
The biggest planet in our solar system hasn't done anything to deserve a tyrant like Vladimir Putin. But, as the website says, it's appropriate as Jupiter is a gas giant.
This is far short of its $100 million goal, but the fundraiser is still in its early days. It's also worth pointing out that if it achieves the goal, it doesn't aim to literally fire Putin towards Jupiter. The funds will go, entirely reasonably, towards helping rebuild Ukraine's shattered infrastructure.
Most of the replies to Fedorov's tweet were screengrabs of people who'd donated. Those who give are rewarded with a thank you message, complete with an image of what we can only assume is rocket fuel.
This tweet translates to, "On social networks, the occupiers will spread posts with the letter "Z", we know what that means. Can you turn to social networks to start blocking all reptiles who post photos with this sign? We complain about such posts, but I'm afraid it's ineffective now without the support of social networks."
Indeed, the letter 'Z' has become shorthand for support of Putin. Many of the pro-Putin tweets have been deleted, but some still remain.
I'd rather fire him into the sun, but since both options are unrealistic, perhaps the best thing to do is donate to Ukraine's recovery.
Be sure to tell us what you think of the story, and if you feel inclined to donate to Ukraine, head over to the website.
