What is happening?

According to Wikipedia, Russia and Ukraine are in a state of war. This all began in 2014, known as the Russo-Ukrainian war, which followed the Russian annexation of Crimea from Ukraine (Wikipedia). Due to this, the Russian government feared that Ukraine’s membership in the EU and NATO would betray them with a Western Wall of allied countries restricting Russia from being able to access the Black Sea. Another thing was that “after the Soviet Union’s collapse in 1991, the successor states’ bilateral relations have undergone periods of ties, tensions, and outright hostility” (Wikipedia), in which both states have been in conflict and things didn’t seem to get any better. Tensions between Russia and Ukraine have risen, especially from 2021 to 2022, when Russia considered launching a military invasion in Ukraine to figure out how to end this war.

News as of 2/24/22

As of February 24, 2022, it has been officially reported that Russia has now invaded Ukraine. According to CNN, it has been said that “Russia launched an invasion of Ukraine on Thursday, sending troops into the ex-Soviet nation from three fronts and firing missiles on several locations near the capital, Kyiv, in a broad attack that has drawn deep condemnation from world leaders,” in which some parts of Ukraine have now been hit by bombs from several directions. It has also been reported that this attack began before dawn after President Vladimir Putin had declared the start of a “special military operation” to “demilitarize Ukraine” (NYTimes). There’s smoke in the air in several cities that have caused a lot of damage from this attack, such as destroying people’s houses and places of business. People and firefighters are helping to stop the fires while first aid responders are helping those who have been injured or have now passed away (NYTimes). Many people are still in the process of evacuating and don’t know what’s going to happen next, but they are trying their best to remain calm.

What can we do? 

One of the ways we can help Ukraine right now is by donating our money. According to fortune.com, some places you can donate to are Voices of Children, which is a foundation that focuses on giving children psychological therapy in response to what is happening right now and the resulting trauma. Another place to donate to is the International Rescue Committee, which focuses on providing resources to refugees who are facing crises outside and inside of their countries. Care is the main resource that can help Ukrainians because it helps support families by giving them water, food, supplies, hygiene kits, immediate support and aid, and cash. There are many more resources that you can donate to but these are just some options.

News as of 2/28/22

As of Monday, February 28th, 2022, it has been reported that the president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy had been given the option of being flown out of Ukraine and into the U.S. but that he declined the offer and has actually been helping the Ukrainian military. According to Apple News, Ukraine and Russia are meeting up to talk about the Moscow ramps and the assault on Kyiv. The president of Ukraine has also said that the next 24 hours will probably be the most “crucial” for his country. The EU has also agreed to help Ukraine by purchasing and sending them $500 million in weapons.