The Russian army did not liberate us
CCCP

The Russian army did not liberate us

I come from the former Czechoslovakia, and I state clearly: The Soviet Union did not liberate us—they conquered us.

The Illusion of Liberation

We exchanged one occupier for another.The idea of Soviet "liberation" is deeply misleading; for many, it marked the beginning of a new era of oppression rather than freedom.

A dilapidated oil refinery symbolizes economic stagnation.
The image illustrates the delayed economic development in former Eastern Bloc countries, a consequence of decades under Soviet influence and the legacy of outdated infrastructure.

Historical Context: The Soviet Union and Nazi Germany

I owe the Soviets (and Russia) absolutely nothing—not even for fighting the Germans.It's rarely mentioned that the Soviets initially sided with the Nazis, only joining the Allies after being betrayed and invaded.

If the Soviets had acted like the US—restoring democracy and freedom after the war—perhaps they might be viewed differently. However, that is not our history.They simply pursued their own unsavoury goals alongside the Allies, not Nazi Germany. Why should I feel grateful?

The true cost of occupation was the suppression of freedom and the stalling of economic progress, felt for generations.

The Lingering Effects of Soviet Occupation

I will always resent the communists and Russia as a state for what they inflicted upon us. Some might say, "You've had a free country for decades now." But the truth remains:because of communism and the Soviet Union, our society was frozen in time.

  • Our economy stagnated for decades under Soviet-style policies.
  • Despite progress, we are still catching up to the West.
  • Unless the West faces its own major setback, we will remain behind for years.

Freedom Denied: A Lasting Legacy

Liberation should mean freedom. We have never truly had that.

A Czech woman stands defiantly in front of a Soviet-era building.
A woman reflects on the legacy of Soviet influence in the Czech Republic, highlighting the lingering economic and societal impact of the occupation.

The true meaning of liberation is freedom—something Soviets never gave us, and something we continue to strive for even decades later.