Enough blood has been shed on the Volga

Something terribly tragic and sad about today's 'incident' at a train station in Volgograd.

Some reports say it is a 'terrorist' attack.

People have lost their lives, others have been maimed for the rest of their lives.

Exactly in these days 71 years ago the Soviet Army was on a clean-up operation in the then city of Stalingrad, now called Volgograd. Against all the odds they defeated the German aggressor.

Can we never learn the art and gift of peace?

On Christmas Day Pope Francis said: "I invite even non-believers to desire peace, a desire that widens the heart. Let us all unite, either with prayer or with desire, but everyone for peace."

Today's incident on the Volga may well be the result of underlying injustices, national disharmonies, a lack of real democracy but to what benefit to those who have lost their lives and have been left maimed?

The Germans sullied the hallowed waters of the Volga. Russia has the obligation of protecting the great river, which will be forever a symbol of Russian bravery.