War on Ukraine

 

If you have had any contact with the internet over the past few weeks, you are probably aware of the fact that Russia has launched a full-blown attack on Ukraine on the 24th of February. Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin is hoping to invade and fully take over Ukraine.

Here's what you should know about the ongoing war, including why this happened, what is happening at the moment, and what you can do to help.

Although the full invasion of Ukraine started this February, there has been a conflict between Ukraine and Russia since the abandonment of the USSR. According to the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the start of the war was in August of 2014 when Russian paratroopers stormed in and took over Amvoriivska, which is 20km from the Russian border. The Russian military  claimed to have crossed the border ‘by accident.’

On the 25th of August, a column of Russian tanks and military vehicles were reported to have crossed into Ukraine through the southeast, near the town of Novoazovsk. They headed towards Ukrainian-held Mariupol - an area that had not seen pro-Russian presence for weeks. During that time, anti-Russian protests were held but quickly shut down by the occupying Russian troops. Eastern Ukraine has been seen at war since then as Russia tried to ‘reclaim’ Ukraine as part of them.

Now, why is this the time why Russia started a full-blown attack? NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization.)

Ukrainian president Zelensky tried to join the military power which is NATO, as well as having NATO being stationed near the Ukrainian and Russian borders throughout countries like Poland.  NATO is part of a military group that is supported by many parts of Europe and America. As part of it, if countries were to be attacked, all other countries under NATO would be obligated to fight alongside them. Vladimir Putin saw this as a threat, therefore attacking before Zelensky could gain that power. 

Many people are wondering why Russians are currently fighting this war despite its unfairness, but Russian media is currently full of propaganda and poor internet access, therefore many families throughout their country believe they are defending the country. Their media also show that all attacks are in military stationed places, although we have seen media footage of airstrikes on schools and hospitals, with the situation in Mariupol being critical.

Just recently, on the 14th of March, an editor for one of Russia's top news stations, Marina Ovsyannikova, had come onto screen with a placard begging fellow Russians to not believe the propaganda and to stop the war. Putin has instated a Kremlin law, which forbids news outlets to publish anything “anti-Russian.” Anyone that does so will face prison time. The journalist has since had a 14-hour interrogation and fears for her life for defying her country's President.

Putin’s media has been reporting that their military is attacking military bases only and that Ukraine stands as a threat. The reality is, schools, hospitals, and care homes have seen to be bombed. Many towns and villages are now almost completely abandoned due to the ongoing bombing. 

So what are other countries doing at the moment? If you drive, you might have noticed the prices of gas and petrol have sky-rocketed. This is because countries are imposing sanctions on Russia. Many have decided to stop relying on Russia for their oil and gas exports. Even Switzerland - the country that has been neutral throughout all wars - has frozen Russian accounts. 

This is in an attempt to stop Putin and his people from getting the power and money necessary for war. However, as Ukrainian president Zelinsky stated, sanctions are simply “not enough.”

At the moment, most European countries are taking in refugees from Ukraine, the most being taken in by Poland. The UK itself has set up a scheme where those who take refugees into their homes will receive £350 monthly, and an app was created in Poland for elderly people who are alone to look after the children of Ukrainians who need to go to work.

So what can you do? Research local refugee camps and volunteer, find donation points where you can give food and clothes, or of course, make space in your home if you can.

 
Natalia Synakbatch 4