Same Water Twice

Sofi Oksanen's "Same River, Twice" is a disturbing account of how women's rights, equality and dignity are falling victim to the imperialist ambitions and patriarchal ideology of contemporary Russia. The author incisively analyses how the history of violence and oppression continues in a context where power-driven aggression not only oppresses individuals but disintegrates entire communities. Oksanen explores themes that transcend geographic boundaries and reveal a universal problem: the manipulation of power that justifies crimes and systematically suppresses vulnerable groups, especially women. This book is not only a testimony about war and its victims, but also about the need to fight for justice and human rights at a time when they are most at risk.

History is replete with examples of power structures that have used violence to consolidate their dominance. The Russian imperialist tradition that Sofi Oksanen explores in her book is inevitably intertwined with this reality. A fundamental feature of this history is the continuity of violence that remains deeply embedded in Russia's political culture. Already in the 18th century, when Catherine the Great annexed Crimea, this expansion was accompanied by brutality. The local population was forcibly assimilated, cultural monuments were destroyed and traditional communities were dismantled. This pattern, which began as a struggle over territory, became the basis of imperial policy. Changing regimes or rulers did nothing to change the fact that power was maintained at the cost of the suffering of innocent people. In the 20th century, this approach took on an even darker form under the baton of Joseph Stalin. Notorious famines in Ukraine, such as the Holodomor in the 1930s, claimed millions of victims. Stalin's policy deliberately induced famine as a tool to suppress the resistance of the Ukrainian population. Violence was not just a means of repression; it was a systematic tool to erase the identity of an entire country. This model, where dehumanization legitimizes aggression, proved surprisingly resilient. Today, under Vladimir Putin's leadership, the old methods are being revitalised. The invasion of Ukraine in 2014 and the subsequent annexation of Crimea are a modern continuation of historical patterns. The forcible displacement of populations, the suppression of free media and the attempt to eliminate cultural autonomy are not just relics of the past. They are becoming a political tool designed to consolidate Russia's image as an invincible power. An important part of this continuity is the focus on women as symbols of identity and the enemy's weakness. In the history of conflict, women are often targeted not only as victims of violence, but also as a tool through which to attack the cultural and social fabric of a given community. This pattern can be found in many wars, but in the case of Russian politics this tactic is alarmingly systematic. However, Russian society has never been forced to come to terms with this past. The lack of reflection leads to the persistence of violent methods even in the modern context. Thus, the historical continuity of violence is not just a thing of the past - it is a living part of Russian politics that threatens not only the direct victims, but also the foundations of democratic values on a global level. Oksanen shows that without a true naming of the past, the future is doomed to repeat it. This vicious circle of violence has its roots in historical ignorance, which makes Russia a country where the same rivers overflow with the same tears.

War is not just a conflict of armies - it is a struggle for power, identity and control. In Russia's case, however, this struggle has a terrifying dimension: sexual violence as a weapon. This dark tactic is not a new phenomenon, but in the context of Putin's regime it is taking on a systematic and ideological character. Sofi Oksanen's book explores how this kind of violence is used not only to destroy individual destinies, but also to devastate entire communities. Sexual violence in wars has historically been used to dehumanize the enemy. During World War II, Soviet troops raped thousands of women in conquered German cities. These acts were often overlooked as a by-product of the war, but in reality they were the result of a deeply ingrained ideology that saw victims as tools to demonstrate dominance. In Putin's Russia, this tactic is taking on a more sophisticated form. In Ukraine, sexual violence has become a systematic part of the conflict. Oksanen describes examples of women who were abducted, raped and psychologically broken, with the aggressors justifying these acts as 'punishment' for resisting Russia. Such acts have not only physical but also profound psychological consequences, as they transmit a sense of shame and powerlessness to entire communities. This form of violence is purposeful. Rape becomes a symbol of power and a way to show the enemy that he is completely subordinate to the aggressor. It destroys not only the individual, but also family ties, cultural identity and the moral fabric of an entire society. When Russian soldiers bring home stolen underwear or trophies from casualties, they show how deeply this ideology is rooted in a system that dehumanises both women and enemies. Moreover, the Russian media and propaganda justify or make light of these acts. Victims are often subjected to double victimisation - not only violence, but also public humiliation. Military leaders and the political elite thus reinforce a culture in which sexual violence is not only tolerated but also legitimised as an instrument of war. But this strategy has wider implications. It destroys not only specific victims, but also the values of humanity, equality and justice. Oksanen stresses that this is a war not only against Ukraine, but also against the very concept of gender equality and human rights. If this formula is not confronted in the face of international condemnation, the risk of its spread becomes real. Sexual violence as an instrument of war is proof that conflicts are not just a question of weapons and borders, but also a struggle over moral principles. This aspect of war, which Oksanen exposes in detail, is a warning to the whole world - if we let this phenomenon go unpunished, we allow evil to spread without boundaries.

The oppression of women in Russia is not only a consequence of patriarchal culture, but also a political tool used by Vladimir Putin's regime to consolidate its power. Sofi Oksanen highlights how women's rights in this country are becoming victims of systematic repression. This repression affects not only Russian women, but also women in the occupied areas, where violence and manipulation serve as instruments of control. In Russia, progress in the area of gender equality has been significantly undermined over the last two decades. The Putin regime actively promotes conservative values that celebrate women's traditional roles as mothers and wives, and any deviation from this model is perceived as a threat. Laws restricting reproductive rights and the criminalisation of activism for women's rights illustrate this trend. Feminists are often labelled as 'foreign agents', which places them outside social acceptance. In this context, sexual violence appears as a form of punishment against women who refuse to submit. Women in Russia face violence not only from the state but also in their private lives, where domestic violence remains a widespread problem. In 2017, Russia decriminalised certain forms of domestic violence, signalling that the state is not only failing to protect women, but actively condoning their abuse. This situation is even more frightening in the context of war conflicts, where women are subjected to extreme forms of repression. In occupied territories such as Ukraine, the Russian armed forces use women as a means of destroying the morale of local communities. The rape, abduction and forced displacement of women have not only a physical but also a psychological impact on entire generations. These crimes are often supported by systematic propaganda that dehumanises the victims and denigrates their right to justice. However, the oppression of women serves not only to control the population but also to divert attention from wider political problems. The government manipulates the image of women as 'guardians of values' and uses it to promote a nationalist agenda. This image is in direct contradiction to reality, where women are reduced to passive instruments of state power. This systematic repression has long-term consequences. It destroys not only individual lives, but also social structures that could promote change. Oksanen thus analyses how women's rights become the front line in the struggle between autocracy and democracy. If this struggle is neglected, the consequences will go beyond the borders of Russia and affect the whole world. The story of women in Russia is therefore also a story of strength and courage. Despite the constant repression, many women are determined to fight for their rights, proving that change is possible, albeit at a high price. This struggle is not only about equality, but also about human dignity, which is systematically repressed by Putin's regime.

"Same River, Twice" is an urgent warning about the consequences that an unconfronted history of violence has on the future of society. Oksanen shows that repression of women and sexual violence are not just by-products of war, but deliberate instruments of power that destroy both individual destinies and social structures. The book emphasizes that the struggle for women's rights is not just a matter for individuals, but a cornerstone of a just and democratic society. By exposing the horrors and mechanisms of oppression, it appeals to the need for global awareness and action. It is a work that forces the reader to consider the value of silence in the face of injustice and how we can work together to ensure that the history of violence does not spill over into future generations. Do you have feedback for us? We'd love it if you let us know your opinion on our content! Just send an email to feedback@rewio.app with the title of this book in the subject line and share your impressions!