Ukraine Updates
On February 24, 2022, the Russia Federation launched an unprovoked invasion of its sovereign neighbor, Ukraine.
The conflict between these two nations goes back to at least 2014 and Ukraine's Revolution of Dignity. At the heart of the lengthy conflict – and this most recent escalation – are several disputed territories on the border between the two countries. Despite worldwide condemnation of this attack, Russia continues to move forward into Ukraine.
Why Did Russia Invade? Russia has offered various justifications for invading Ukraine. Russian President Putin claimed, without evidence, that Ukraine was infested with neo-Nazi groups that needed to be purged.
Putin and his representatives later claimed that they invaded Ukraine to safeguard its people, despite overwhelming video evidence of Russian strikes on civilian centers, airports, and hospitals. Russian disinformation squads attempted to lay the groundwork for the invasion with false flag operations, posting faked videos purporting to depict Ukrainian forces attacking Russia.
The videos were quickly debunked by news organizations and individuals alike. Effects of the War Ukraine's President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, instituted martial law and mandatory conscription for able-bodied men between the ages of 18 and 60. Millions of Ukrainian citizens have been displaced, with many seeking an escape from war in nearby countries like Poland.
Despite the loss of life in both civilian and military ranks, the grassroots resistance to the war has proved effective. By digging trenches, erecting barriers, constructing explosives, and even changing road signs to confuse the invaders, Ukraine's population has proven highly effective against the Russian advance. Estimates of Russian casualties vary depending on which side is reporting.
On March 2, Russia's Ministry of Defence claimed that only 498 Russian soldiers had been killed in the conflict. Just a few days later, Ukrainian news agencies put that number closer to 12,000. Russia's aggression has cost its people and economy dearly. The ruble, Russia's official currency, experienced a 30 percent decline in the war's first week.
That precipitous drop left each ruble worth less than one American penny. Sanctions imposed by a multitude of countries have squeezed supply lines, dramatically reducing Russian access to goods. Hope for Peace Russia's invasion of Ukraine has escalated into a humanitarian crisis, with more than 2.5 million people displaced by the conflict. Even Ukraine's attempts to safeguard its people as they fled from missile attacks were threatened.
After initially agreeing to establish humanitarian corridors, Russian troops were accused of attacking civilian transports, deploying landmines in the agreed-upon corridors, and attempting to force civilians to flee toward Russia and Belarus.
As fierce fighting continues, however, there are reasons to continue hoping for peace. Ukrainian and Russian delegates began holding negotiations about four days into the war, though initial talks broke off quickly.
On March 13, news broke of potentially fruitful conversations between the two sides. While open to talks, Ukrainian representatives signaled an unwillingness to surrender or capitulate to Russia's demands, and noted that Russia appears to be realizing that their demands will not be met without compromise.
Copyright (c) 2011-2022 Network World News - All Rights Reserved Katie Jane
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Ukraine is in Shambles
All our hope and prayer with Ukraine! At this point all we can do it hop that Russia Pulls out of Ukraine. Sanctions have done nothing at this point as the war enters its 4th month, with no end in sight.
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