Amid a deadly attack on the civilians of Ukraine, the iconic singer Sting showed his support for the country by singing his song ‘Russians’ on his Instagram account accompanied by a cello.
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin launched attacks on the cities of Ukraine on February 24. While the Putin government is trying to take over the country, its people are not giving up the fight and are bravely standing up for their country. Those with children and elderly are desperately trying to leave the country in fear of death or hiding in bunkers waiting for the war to be over.
It’s a very dark time for Russia, Ukraine, and the continent of Europe entirely, as this is the closest thing to World War III in the continent after World War II ended in 1945. Hence, everyone is scared and is trying to show as much support as they can to the residents in Ukraine. In the age of social media, most people are showing resistance through the internet, and others are attending protests in their countries to show the insanity of war.
Musicians also support Ukraine and indicate their, ‘side.’ Recently, Axl Rose, Paul Stanley, Elton John, and Dee Snider stated their sadness and frustration against this war. More recently, Sting responded to the historical event in the best way he knows, singing. Sting sang his 1985 song ‘Russians,’ which is appropriate regarding the circumstances. He shared a message to end the war and gave information for donation spots for those who wanted to help the country.
Here is what he said before he began to sing:
“I’ve only rarely sung this song in the many years since it was written because I never thought it would be relevant again. But, in the light of one man’s bloody and woefully misguided decision to invade a peaceful, unthreatening neighbor, the song is, once again, a plea for our common humanity. For the brave Ukrainians fighting against this brutal tyranny and also the many Russians who are protesting this outrage despite the threat of arrest and imprisonment – We, all of us, love our children. Stop the war.
Supplies shipped to this warehouse in Poland are delivered in coordination with the Armed Forces of Ukraine and are guaranteed to go to people most in need.”
Sting released ‘Russians’ in 1985 in his first solo album, ‘The Dream of the Blue Turtles.’ He had written the song to protest against the Cold War between the USA and the Soviet Union. Especially the lyrics ‘I hope the Russians love their children too’ leaves a sense of empathy in the listener and should be enough to make the suffering stop.
