Why does everyone feel sorry for the average Ukrainian citizen, but not Russian?

What you are missing is reality. There haven't been a "whole lot of posts on these boards" justifying invasions and bombing citizens and murdering reporters because of corruption. Afghanistan was invaded by the US and its allies because is was harboring a terrorist organization that explicitly took responsibility for 911 and had planned and was planning other terror attacks. The Iraq invasion was not an anti-corruption operation, but also an anti-terror operation (personally, I think it was the wrong move. Military action against ISIS was not anti-corruption, but anti-terror.

Which purely anti-corruption actions do you have in mind?

Hey… no sympathizing with those freedom-hating, baby-killing Reds.

Watch Rocky IV again. That should set you straight.

I do feel sorry for any Russian citizens who think the direction their country is going is all wrong, but find themselves powerless to stop it.

I also feel bad for all people or groups of people getting screwed over, discriminated against, robbed, tortured, raped, targeted for genocide, and what have you, the whole world over, including right here in the USA.

However, Ukraine is big news at the moment because there is a genuine armed invasion going on, which means state-sponsored murder on a large scale.

I haven't seen any headlines that said "Ukrainian maternity ward bombed by Russian military; these are the only victims that matter".

The Russian people empowered him over decades with their 'nationalism.'

Russian military know they are doing wrong with they are targeting civilians and press the button. Or running over a civilian with a tank. Having been ordered does not absolve one from responsibility.

Congrats Russia. half of your economy is gone.

You guys do realize Russia took Crimea illegally in 2014 and Russia was cool with it right?

Even proud.

Russia citizens are not in danger.

Russian soldiers can desert.

That's why we don't feel sorry for them.

"Russian soldiers can desert"

Have you one clue about military conscription? That is obviously rhetorical, you vile chickenhawk.

Quite literally you can walk away from a battle you don't want to fight. Some Russians have already done this. Bootlickers may claim this "is against Russian law" but I am not particularly concerned with their legal code.

No sympathy for murderous aggressors.

During WW2, any Nazi, Japanese or Soviet soldier that tried to walk away would have been executed.

Are you talking about those in your "community" that don't wear rubbers?

77.5% of Russians voted for Putin in their last election. Please stop feeling sorry for Russians.

en.m.wikipedia.org

2018 Russian presidential election

The 2018 Russian presidential election was held on 18 March 2018. The incumbent Vladimir Putin was eligible to run. He declared his intent to do so on 6 December 2017, being widely expected to win. This came following several...

Link:en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_Russian_p...

You really, REALLY don't get much, do you?

Seriously, I don't know how I could make it any more obvious.

No, citizens of both countries are suffering because of decisions made by the Russian government.

You're right that most Russians are not the ones to hold accountable for the decision. However, a large percentage of Russians appears to support the invasion. If a large portion of the russian population wanted to hold Putin accountable, they could. But too many care only about the fact that Putin has had modest economic success with the country, so they are willing to ignore his human rights abuses at home and abroad, and the loss of most of their democratic choice.

Enabling evil dictators doesn't make somebody blameless.

Crimea was part of Russia for 250 years.

In WWII about 1/4 million Russian soldiers were killed defending Savastopol from the Nazis.

Almost the entire population of Crimea speak Russian. 65% are ethnic Russian vs 15% Ethnic Ukrainian.

In 2014 far right extremists began systematically purging Russian language and culture in Ukraine, with hundreds of Russians killed.

Crimea was already semiautonomous. A 2014 referendum with 89% voter turnout voted 97% in favour of re-joining Russia. The Crimean parliament held a similar vote.

Even if you feel these numbers are exaggerated it is an irrefutable and astoundingly clear majority.

Do we uphold democratic will of the People only when it suits us ?

I am not familiar with your posting style or past posts. It seems you were sarcastically referencing the posters trying to justify the invasion, and I missed it.

As punishment, I will now consider drinking heavily.

Actually some (at least one that I am aware of) Americans were executed for desertion.

Regardless of the Russian sentiment in the Crimea region, the map was re-drawn and it was declared Ukrainian territory.

Putin and Putin alone made the choice to invade this territory and slaughter many innocent Ukrainains in 2014.

The myth that Crimea is Russian territory is nothing more than a myth. Crimea was on Ukrainian lands that were invaded by Putin.

The only good Russian soldier is a dead Russian soldier.

When people are dying by the thousands and literally every day, what a stupid question to pose.

Of course people feel bad for those in Russia living under Putin's regime. However the consequences of war are far harsher.