Ukraine war: overview and ways to help
On February 23, 2022 Russia has built up tens of thousands of troops along the Ukrainian border, an act of aggression that could spiral into the largest military conflict on European soil in decades. So far, over 14,000 civilians were killed.
On Feb. 23, 2022 Russia has built up tens of thousands of troops along the Ukrainian border, an act of aggression that could spiral into the largest military conflict on European soil in decades.
Ukraine is a Baltic country that was constantly marginalized throughout its history. Historically, there was a time when it dominated Eastern Europe as the Kievan Rus’, before it fell apart because of internal conflict and foreign invasions. Its decline was followed by Russia’s rise to power. Ukraine has remained under Russia’s shadow ever since and became a target of Russian aggression on Feb. 23, 2022.
Historically, life under the Soviet Union was harsh for the Ukrainians. Russia used the country as a place to experiment with socialist reform programs and imposed impossible quotas for farmers and frequently took their grain.
Ukraine declared independence in 1991, after the collapse of the Soviet Union. However, the country has continued to face challenges, including the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and a subsequent invasion by Vladimir Putin in 2022.
With Ukrainian attempts to join the NATO, Putin demanded the organization to stop its eastward expansion and deny membership to Ukraine. As expected, the US and NATO rejected those demands. However, both the U.S. and Russia know Ukraine is not going to become a NATO member anytime soon.
These ultimatums are “a Russian attempt not only to secure interest in Ukraine but essentially relitigate the security architecture in Europe,” said Michael Kofman, research director in the Russia studies program at CNA, a research and analysis organization in Arlington, Virginia.
Accordingly, Ukraine’s President, Zelensky says Ukraine is suffering “open terrorism from experienced terrorists.” Appropriately, United Nations reports that more than two million people have fled Ukraine and the US and UK consider adjusting immigration laws to allow more refugees to enter their borders
In correlation, President Biden stood by his comment that Vladimir V. Putin should be removed as president of Russia, but said it was a personal expression of his outrage and not a change in American policy aimed at seeking to topple Mr. Putin from office.
“I was expressing the moral outrage I felt toward this man,” Mr. Biden told reporters, rejecting criticism that he misspoke. He said no one should have thought his comments were meant to be calling for Mr. Putin’s ouster.
However, Russia is also down-falling because of this conflict. As a matter of fact, the value of the Russian ruble has decreased 35 percent in the last month, with the entire economy moving closer to a complete economic collapse.
Nevertheless, Russian attacks are beyond catastrophic. For example, on March 9, in one of Russia’s most shocking and heartless attacks yet, a maternity and children’s hospital in Mariupol, Ukraine was crashed by Russian airstrikes, during what was supposed to be a cease-fire, according to Interfax Ukraine. Relying on officials in Mariupol, at least 17 people were injured, but no deaths have been reported and none of the reported injuries were children. The city of Mariupol has already been surrounded by Russians ever since, and there is no electricity or water in the city. At least 1,170 civilians have died in Mariupol since the invasion began.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine also said in his nightly address that Russian troops control the region north of Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital, and that they still have resources and crew. “The situation everywhere remains tense,” Mr. Zelensky said. “This is a ruthless war.”
People of Ukraine are in constant fear, escaping the country by trains, cars, or hiding underground in protection to the warfare. Children are losing their parents, bombings do not stop, and help from neighboring countries is essential.
Ways to help Ukraine from home:
-Spreading awareness on social media.
-Supporting Ukrainian brands -> https://www.vogue.com/article/six-ukrainian-fashion-designers-to-know-and-support
-Not supporting brands that businesslike interact with Russia, as General Mills, Subway, The Body Shop.
-Sending packages to Ukraine and nearby countries hosting refugees.
-Donating money to trustworthy organizations working for the cause.
Some organizations aiding Ukraine:
— https://www.comebackalive.in.ua
To learn more:
https://www.npr.org/2022/02/25/1082992947/ukraine-support-help