SergioOren, CC BY-SA 4.0
On 24 February 2022, Russia invaded parts of Ukraine in a major escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War. It has been one year since the invasion and has resulted in an estimated 200,000 military casualties, 8,000 civilian deaths, and caused the biggest refugee crisis since World War II. (Pictured: a protest against Russian invasion on the date of first anniversary.)
One year later: Ukraine invasion
It has already been more than a year since Russia invaded Ukraine. In the eyes of Russia, this invasion was for a few reasons: the threat of NATO expansion, the amount of natural resources that can be found in Ukraine, and Putin’s view that Ukrainian sovereignty is illegitimate. An article by The Guardian estimates that right now, around 17% of Ukraine has been taken under Russian control. This, along with an estimated 200,000 military casualties, around 8000 civilian deaths, and the biggest refugee crisis since World War II, has proven the war to be an onslaught.
What has happened to Ukrainians who aren’t fighting?
So far, the war has left a third of the country‘s population dislocated, and eight million Ukrainians have fled the country, though many of them have been able to find work across Europe due to their high education rates and increasing knowledge of languages. One Ukrainian refugee said, “Why would I leave a place I know and love and head out into nowhere?”, which tells a lot about the refugees’ common story, one full of fear and insecurity while fleeing to other countries.
Why hasn’t Russia been able to take control yet?
There are a few speculations as to why Russia has not been able to take more control of Ukraine by now, but probably the most significant is Russia’s underestimation of Ukrainian forces, and Russia’s failure to make headway into Ukrainian airspace.
How have other countries been affected?
Well, for starters, five months after the war began, Sweden and Russian-bordering Finland signed the accession protocol to join NATO. Also, near the start of the war, metal, corn, wheat, and oil costs surged, and countries such as Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, which heavily relied on Ukraine for food, feared famine.
What have other nations done?
Nations such as the United States, Germany, Great Britain, Japan, and France placed economic sanctions on Russia following the start of the Invasion, and the US has already donated more than $75 billion in aid to Ukraine. Also, there is worldwide disapproval of the war. A UN vote showed that 140 nations (not including Ukraine) were in favor of Russia leaving Ukraine, and only six (not including Russia) were in opposition to Russia leaving.