The Vindman twins hit the campaign trail
A Ukraine-related scandal elevated a Kyiv-born Democratic candidate to national prominence in America; on Tuesday, it may help him all the way to Congress.
Editor’s note: Sometimes I tell folks that Ukrainians are following the U.S. elections even more closely than Americans are. After all, while it’s existential for the United States, its a matter of imminent life or death for Ukrainians.
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“This election season has everyone on edge,” begins the opening prayer at First Mount Zion Baptist Church, in Dumfries, Virginia.
The potential for chaos in the coming days is obvious. Former president Donald Trump has alluded to violence against critics like Liz Cheney; and just yesterday, pointing out journalists in front of him, he said a shooter would have to "shoot through the fake news” to hit him, but he wouldn't "mind that so much".
But the Virginia church is aiming to be a rare oasis of political calm: half meditation session, half homily.
“It feels like America is holding its breath,” said a pastor at the predominantly African-American church. “But I tell you all: you can exhale in the name of Jesus.”
In the pews in front of the pastor are two Kyiv-born American twin brothers, Eugene and Alexander Vindman. Both are at the church to campaign in the federal election, to push back against the tide of Trumpism.
If you care about Ukraine, you should be following this race.
On Tuesday, Eugene may become the next Congressman from Virginia’s 7th Congressional District. If he does, he will be among Ukraine’s staunchest allies in Congress: on his front lawn, he displays a Ukrainian flag yard sign.
And it’s not just for show – since the 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine began, the aspiring lawmaker (and former JAG officer) has personally traveled to the country many times to help Ukraine formulate a plan to investigate and prosecute Russian war crimes.
So has his brother Alexander, who runs the Here Right Matters Foundation, which trains Ukrainian medics, purchases ambulances, and provides drone components to Ukrainian nonprofits.
Both were refugees in the United States: after their mother’s death, they were raised by their single father. Their father helped the family flee to New York City from the Soviet Union in 1979, when his sons were only three. They arrived in the United States with just a few hundred dollars to their name.
And both Eugene and Alexander have shown what it is like to have backbone in the face of Trump’s ire.
In 2019 Trump held a call blackmailing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy over military aid, saying Zelenskyy would only get help if he opened an investigation into Joe Biden.
Eugene and Alexander Vindman were both working on the National Security Council at the time: Alex told his brother about the call; both reported it up the chain of command.
Trump was impeached for the first time after they spoke out. And the then-president put huge pressure on the Vindman brothers for their role in blowing the whistle on his conduct.
Eugene Vindman’s ties to Ukraine have been key to his political ascension: the saga around Trump’s impeachment made both Vindmans nationally-known political figures.
In his campaign against Republican candidate Derrick Anderson (nationally known for posting a photo of a woman and children pretending to be his family), Eugene has outraised his opponent $15.5 million to $2.8 million.
This advantage is in no small part due to the profile the two Vindmans developed during the impeachment saga – in particular the personal courage it took for them to stand up for what they believed was right.
Still, the race is extremely tight – the purple district stretches from the deep blue D.C. suburbs all the way down south to deep red central Virginia.
So two days before Election Day, Eugene is deploying an uncommon political asset: the ability to essentially clone himself and double the number of hands he can shake by having his twin campaign with him.
This has its quirks: as they were leaving the church, a member of the congregation approached Alexander, telling him: “You got my vote!”
Alex had to sheepishly point over to his twin.
The two brothers are more similar than they are different: they are nearly-identical, and are both 20-year-plus Army officers passionate about national security. And they display the sort of jocular, brotherly playfulness that is the result of a lifetime of friendly competition.
“A lot of people don’t really don’t like Eugene, so it’s great that you’re here to help him,” Alexander said at a canvassing launch event for Eugene, prompting chuckles.
Alexander is nine minutes older than Eugene, a fact that the (slightly) younger brother waves off: the Soviet Union had pretty bad records, he scoffs.
I kept searching for an easy hack to tell them apart. Eugene’s wife told me that Alexander has a freckle on his nose that Eugene lacks. The aspiring Congressman volunteered another difference:
“[Alexander] doesn’t have nearly the ‘Rizz’ that I have,” making the young campaign volunteers around a table laugh by using a slang word for charisma.
Alexander, who isn’t running for anything, is more free than Eugene to express his views. And he has criticisms of the Biden administration over its handling of the Ukraine war, namely that it has overestimated Russian strength.
But for him it all takes a backseat to the ongoing presidential campaign. None of these critiques will matter if Trump is elected president. The Republican presidential candidate has made no secret of his admiration of Putin and his wish to end the war immediately (which would mean unfavorable terms for Ukraine).
If Harris is elected president, Alex reasons, the new administration will do a policy review on Ukraine and figure out where, if at all, to increase support.
The results of the presidential election determine whether there will be chaos or violence in the United States AND in Ukraine.
"National security starts at home,” Alexander Vindman said.
LIVE CHAT WITH ALEX VINDMAN TODAY:
On Monday, I’ll be joined by Lt. Col. (Ret.) Alexander Vindman here on Substack for a live conversation at 10am ET to discuss the geopolitical impact of the 2024 U.S. election for the Ukraine war and U.S. foreign policy around the world. Please join us.
The Substack Election Dialogues are bringing together influential political figures for live video conversations on consequential questions of the political moment.
So this morning you’ll get to watch Alexander and me in live conversation and even send us questions to answer. To participate, you’ll need to download the Substack app, so go ahead and do that now so you’ll be able to join the conversation. This event is open for ALL subscribers.
How can you tune in? Click here to download the Substack app. If you enable notifications, the app will notify you when I’m live. Just tap that, and you’re in!
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NEWS OF THE DAY:
Good morning to readers; Kyiv remains in Ukrainian hands.
IN UKRAINE, OUTAGES CAN LAST UP TO 20 HOURS A DAY: Winter in Ukraine has become increasingly difficult due to ongoing Russian airstrikes on the country’s energy infrastructure, according to Politico.
In August alone, over 200 missiles and drones were launched at power production facilities, resulting in a loss of more than nine gigawatts of electrical generation capacity. This assault has destroyed eight power plants and over 800 heat supply facilities.
The potential attacks on Ukraine’s nuclear plants pose a grave risk, as these reactors account for 60 percent of the country’s power output. Any damage to the infrastructure supporting them could render them inoperable. As a result, Kyiv could face daily blackouts lasting between eight to 20 hours due to the relentless onslaught of Russian attacks.
HOW RUSSIA PAYS DPRK FOR SOLDIERS: North Korea will receive 600,000-700,000 tonnes of rice from Russia, advanced space technology, and its soldiers, which will fight alongside the Russians, will receive a salary of $2,000, South Korean intelligence reported.
Some 10,000 soldiers from the DPRK will join the war against Ukraine. At the same time, another 4,000 North Koreans are working for Russia, receiving an average salary of $800 a month.
The Institute for National Security Strategy, a think tank linked to Seoul's intelligence agency, believes that North Korea's decision to send troops to Russia a few weeks before the US presidential election is based on its belief in the victory of Republican candidate Donald Trump, who has said that the war in Ukraine would end quickly if he came to power.
MOST FOREIGNERS WANT UKRAINE TO WIN THE WAR: 54% of respondents from around the world said they wanted Ukraine to win the war against the aggressor country, Russia. At the same time, 20% of respondents preferred Russia.
These are the findings of a survey conducted by The Economist and GlobeScan of 30,000 people in 29 countries and Hong Kong. Solidarity was strongest in Europe and among other US allies such as South Korea and Japan. There was also support in several major emerging economies, including Brazil, Mexico and South Africa.
Cat of Conflict
Today’s Cat of Conflict is a Buyan, a little kitten who lives in Myroslava's parents' country yard.
Stay safe out there.
Best,
Myroslava
Sorry I missed the discussion. Having flooding here and had a dog to rescue.
This article highlights why I support Alex Vindman for NSA or even Secretary of State. American foreign policy and security strategies need a refresh. Dr. Vindman has proven ability to bring the experience and sound judgement needed to chart a new course for us. As for Eugene, Ukraine will not have a stronger ally in the Congress and his vision and support will be essential to the building of a better, stronger alliance, enhancing relations between our countries. GO EUGENE!!! GO ALEX!!!
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇦🇺🇦
Go Eugene Vindman! He exemplifies patriotism and sacrifice for our country.