In a rare and unusually blunt moment in modern diplomacy, Olexander Scherba, Ukraine’s ambassador to South Africa, delivered a powerful response to a message from the Iranian Embassy inviting diplomats to sign a book of condolences following the death of Ali Khamenei, Iran’s long-time supreme leader.
Instead of offering the customary diplomatic sympathies, the Ukrainian envoy issued a strongly worded letter explaining why he would not mourn the Iranian leader. His response has since drawn global attention, highlighting the bitter geopolitical tensions created by Iran’s military cooperation with Vladimir Putin’s Russia during the ongoing Russia–Ukraine War.
The letter, widely circulated on social media and reported by international media outlets, illustrates the deep resentment in Kyiv over Iran’s alleged role in supplying weapons used against Ukrainian civilians.
The Diplomatic Trigger: A Book of Condolences
The diplomatic episode began when the Iranian Embassy in South Africa notified foreign missions—including Ukraine’s embassy—about the opening of a condolence book for the late Iranian leader and members of Iran’s military leadership who had died.
In diplomatic protocol, such gestures are common when a head of state or major political figure dies. Foreign diplomats often sign condolence books to express sympathy, regardless of political differences.
However, Ambassador Scherba’s response made it clear that this particular case was far from ordinary.
Rather than sending condolences, the Ukrainian diplomat wrote a letter explaining why he could not participate in mourning someone whose government had, in his view, contributed to the suffering of thousands of Ukrainians.
Ukraine’s Accusation: Iranian Weapons in the War
At the heart of the dispute is the allegation that Iran supplied weapons to Russia during the war against Ukraine, particularly the widely discussed Shahed drone attack drones.
These drones—often referred to by Ukrainian officials as “kamikaze drones”—have been used extensively in Russia’s aerial attacks on Ukrainian cities such as Kyiv, Odesa, and Kharkiv.
According to Ukrainian officials and several Western intelligence assessments, Russia has relied heavily on Iranian-designed drones to conduct large-scale strikes on infrastructure and civilian areas. These weapons are relatively inexpensive compared to conventional missiles, making them a strategic tool in sustained aerial campaigns.
Ambassador Scherba referenced this issue directly in his letter, stating that Iranian leaders bore responsibility for the deaths of Ukrainian civilians because of their country’s military support for Russia.
He wrote that Iranian leaders had “on their hands the blood of thousands of Ukrainian citizens—men and women, children and the elderly—killed with the help of the infamous Iran-made Shahed drones and other military know-how eagerly provided to Russia.”
The statement reflects the official Ukrainian position that Tehran’s involvement has helped prolong and intensify the conflict.
A Diplomat’s Moral Stand
Despite the harsh criticism directed at Iran’s leadership, Ambassador Scherba’s letter was not simply a political condemnation. It also contained a deeply personal reflection.
The diplomat emphasized that, as a person of faith, he does not celebrate anyone’s death—even those he believes were responsible for harming his country.
However, he also made it clear that he could not express sorrow for someone whose actions had contributed to the suffering of Ukrainians.
For nearly three years, Ukraine has endured nightly air raid sirens triggered by waves of drone and missile attacks. According to the ambassador, the constant presence of Iranian-designed drones over Ukrainian cities has left a lasting psychological mark on millions of citizens.
He described the haunting sound of these machines in the sky as a nightly reminder of the war’s devastation.
In the letter, Scherba wrote that after living through years of attacks by these weapons, he could only hope that those responsible would eventually face justice—either through human courts or divine judgment.
“No Personal Grudge”
Despite the intensity of the message, the Ukrainian ambassador also made a point of clarifying that his criticism was not directed at the Iranian diplomat personally.
In the final section of the letter, he wrote that he did not know the Iranian ambassador personally and harbored no personal resentment toward him.
He acknowledged a reality well known within international diplomacy: ambassadors often represent the policies of governments they did not personally shape.
“Sometimes good diplomats must speak for bad leaders and their policies,” he wrote.
Nevertheless, Scherba concluded with a statement that captured the essence of his response:
He could not sign a condolence book or express sympathy for someone whose death he did not mourn.
A Rare Diplomatic Moment
In international relations, such direct and emotionally charged statements between diplomats are uncommon. Diplomacy traditionally relies on carefully measured language designed to avoid escalating tensions.
Yet the Ukrainian ambassador’s response reflects how deeply the war has reshaped diplomatic norms.
For Ukraine, the conflict is not merely a geopolitical struggle but an existential fight for national survival. Civilian casualties, infrastructure destruction, and repeated attacks on cities have intensified public anger toward countries perceived as aiding Russia.
From Kyiv’s perspective, Iran’s alleged military assistance to Russia has made Tehran a direct contributor to the war’s human toll
The Broader Geopolitical Context
The controversy surrounding the condolence letter cannot be separated from the broader global tensions involving Russia, Iran, and the West.
Since the invasion of Ukraine began in 2022, Russia has sought military and economic partnerships with countries outside Western alliances. Iran has emerged as one of Moscow’s most significant partners in this regard.
Ukraine and its Western allies have repeatedly accused Iran of supplying drones, components, and technical expertise used in Russia’s aerial campaign. Iran has sometimes denied or downplayed these accusations, though evidence presented by Ukraine and Western intelligence agencies suggests otherwise.
The use of drones has become a defining feature of the war. Unlike traditional missiles, drones can be launched in large numbers, overwhelming air defenses and striking targets across wide areas.
For Ukrainians living in cities under frequent attack, the buzzing sound of incoming drones has become synonymous with danger.
A Symbol of Wartime Diplomacy
Ambassador Scherba’s letter may ultimately be remembered as more than just a diplomatic exchange. It symbolizes how the war has transformed international relations, blurring the line between formal diplomacy and moral protest.
In times of war, diplomats often become the voices of national grief, frustration, and resilience.
For Ukraine, the message sent by its ambassador was clear: mourning cannot be separated from accountability.
The letter also reflects a broader shift in wartime diplomacy—one where the victims of conflict increasingly challenge traditional diplomatic etiquette in favor of direct moral statements.
The Power of Words in Global Politics
Although the letter itself is relatively short, its impact has been significant. It has sparked debate across diplomatic circles, political analysts, and international media.
Some view the message as an understandable expression of a nation under attack. Others argue that diplomacy should remain neutral and restrained, even during times of conflict.
Regardless of where one stands, the incident underscores a crucial truth about international politics: words can carry enormous weight.
In a world shaped by alliances, wars, and shifting geopolitical power, a single diplomatic letter can become a symbol of resistance, anger, and moral conviction.
And in this case, Ambassador Scherba’s message made one thing unmistakably clear:
There are moments in diplomacy when silence—or condolences—can be interpreted as complicity.
For Ukraine, this was not one of those moments.
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