On February 24th Russia started an invasion of Ukraine which Russian President Vladimir Putin referred to as a “special military operation”. Since then, the invasion has become one of the biggest conflicts in recent European history and a worldwide security concern.
Amidst the conflict, countless sources have provided different numbers regarding Russian and Ukrainian losses. Each side has motivation to shift numbers in one direction or the other, but the casualties are in the thousands.
Civilian deaths amongst the Ukrainians have surpassed 500 as Russia continues to shell and bomb key cities. The list ranges from the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, the outskirts of Kyiv in Mariupol, the country’s second largest city Kharkiv, and the nuclear power plant in Zaporizhzhia.
The port city of Mariupol has been under Russian siege for several days as Russia advances to gain strategic control of the sea of Azov, which leads to the Black Sea. The city has also faced challenges as humanitarian routes encounter all sorts of issues on their way to evacuate and bring aid to such cities.
Russia has received resistance, however. Ukraine is enforcing all of its military force. In addition, civilian resistance has also been mounting against Russia.
On a larger scale, the conflict has led to the displacement of more than 4 million Ukrainian, creating the largest humanitarian and refugee crisis in Europe since World War II.
Ukrainian refugees have spread across Europe, but the largest numbers are in Poland, Russia, Romania, Moldova, and Hungary. Fear and anxiety have also grown in these immigrant populations as human trafficking has gone up amongst the targeted groups.
International organizations around the world have also started mobilizing and preparing for what this conflict might lead to. NATO has played a large role, spreading troops to allied countries as a security measure.
In addition, the European Union as well as the United States and Japan have placed various sanctions on Russia. These include banning Russian aircrafts, blocking Russian banks from international financial systems, and sanctions on Russian elites and their families, amongst others.
Other organizations helping include UNICEF, the Red Cross, United Help, and countless other Ukraine-based humanitarian groups. Journalists in Ukraine as well as around the world have also played a role in updating on the war as developments occur.
The conflict has yet to see an end in sight and Russia has made it clear that it has no intentions of giving up. Though Russian and Ukrainian officials have met to discuss the situation, they haven’t agreed to a ceasefire.
