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Randahl Fink

After bombing several museums in the historic city of Odessa on Friday, Russia has now moved on to bombing The Transfiguration Orthodox Cathedral built in Odessa in 1794.

The cathedral was a protected UNESCO World Heritage site.

Why does Russia still have a seat in the United Nations, when ISIS and Al-Qaeda does not?

Today's Sunday service was held outside the bombed cathedral.
I truly admire the defiance of the Ukrainian people.
🇺🇦♥️🇺🇦

@randahl what kind of evil has befallen Russia brah...

@randahl We should also check if Russia can legally keeps its seat at the UN. The seat was initially for the USSR. I guess they succeeded that entity, but on what legal basis?

@randahl Russia is a state actor, while ISIS and Al-Qaeda are not. This can be confusing because ISIS branded itself as the “Islamic State” (of Iraq). However, they never were recognised as a state. Only states (or “nations”) can hold a seat at the United Nations. On the other hand, Russia is a permanent member of the UN Security Council and thus holds veto power over UN resolutions. And it would require a UN resolution to expel Russia, which they would, of course, block. It is a real catch-22.

@randahl I thought Russia ran out of missiles?

@randahl This must be the last war in Europe. Stones can be rebuilt.

@randahl My father is in Odessa right now and I feel so scared for him! Russians can't stop being stupid pigs, isn't it?

@randahl because "united nations" is a useless bunch of lame morons, isn't it?

@randahl A very good question, but I think maintaining dialog is still essential in any case. Perhaps we need ways to contact the Russian people with this, as their media is not giving them factual accounts.

@randahl what would we replace Russia with in the UN though?

@gavinisdie @randahl
Personally think instead of the big five having veto power over everything, instead have it set up more like the US government with upper and lower houses, the ambassadors act like the senate and then there are elected representatives based on population for the lower house. But that would lose the nations with the biggest militaries and money power so that sure wont happen.

@randahl A sad loss of historic architecture on top of the already sad loss of too many lives.

@randahl I'm sure that a harsh reprimand is being prepared at the UN for Russia's inhuman, genocidal actions and the continued destruction of culture and livelihoods. It might even be signed by multiple members. If they really want to punish the perpetrator, they might even use the special "you're in trouble now" paper, as soon as the subcommittee for determining an appropriately harsh paper color (but not too harsh) completes it's voting.

@randahl

The Russian Federation is the "default" successor to the USSR.

OK. Who made that decision? Can the General Assembly re-decide that? Maybe give the Security Council seat to, say, Ukraine.

@randahl

The Charter of the United Nations specifically names the Republic of China (which now only controls Taiwan) and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (which no longer exists) as permanent members of the Security Council.

There’s no mechanism to replace the permanent members, but for the sake of expediency everyone just kinda agreed that the PRC and the Russian Federation are successor states.

Whether successor states can sit on the Council is a moot point, because they do.

@randahl
Los rusos acaban de volar una iglesia ortodoxa construida 1794 en Odessa.

Además destruyeron todos los museos.

Hoy voy a donar de Nuevo

@randahl
(1/2)

1st photo

Exterior of Cathedral. Rubble abd debris cover the ground. Gaint cracks splitting the walls.

2nd photo

Interior of the Cathedral. Rubble litters the ground, walls exposed. A piece of wall with peeled paint lay on the floor, pieces of paint shows what remains of mural painting and calligraphy. A white and gold dome with broke pillars leans on a wall.

(2/2)

3rd photo

Interior of cathedral. Roof blown out. Rubble covers the floor. Cracks on the wall. Details of the molding trim and gold pattern still there on the wall and facade

4th photo

Same section as 3rd photo. Interior of cathedral. Roof blown out. Rubble covers the floor. Cracks on the wall. Details of the molding trim and gold pattern. One of the section of the wall has a painting of a biblical scene.

This is a really tough to write. Really hard to put into words how heartbreaking this is.

@randahl sick about this! Just hope someone stops him soon! 😔