My mother has been brainwashed by Russian propaganda. Aside from a brief phone call during the first week of the war, I haven't been communicating with her. It's too painful to expend energy on reasoning with her while my people are getting killed at the front lines. I choose to spend that time and energy caring for people who need it, like the three elderly families in my building. I am at peace with my decision, but losing my mother to Russian propaganda breaks my heart.