As Greek tragedy in Escalis says, in war, truth is the first casualty.

For the Colson Center, I'm John Stone Street with the point.

That truth is a casualty in war is a particularly relevant point when it comes to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

As John Greenberg, with Politifact reports, in Russia, it's now a crime punishable by up to 15 years in prison to publish fake information

about the all-out attack on Ukraine.

The government's block Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and news websites aimed at Russians,

even Latvia-based Medusa.

It's a crime for the average citizen to publicly post information that contradicts the government

line.

And of course, the government line is that Russian forces are liberators,

not aggressors. According to Greenberg, Russians who want the truth have to be adaptable,

take big risk, join small internet groups, or use VPNs. They're only being lied to otherwise.

Look, truth matters for everyone. Everyday Russians, like the Ukrainians, are also victims of this autocratic regime,

though in a less direct way.

They deserve our parish, too, every bit as much as this war deserves our opposition.

For the Colson Center, I'm John Stone Street with the Point.