The War in Ukraine

In March 2022, Vladimir Putin declared war on neighboring Ukraine. Since then, the mainstream media continues to bombard the senses with countless stories covering the conflict.

International support has largely been pro-Ukraine. Billions have been provided to Ukraine in an effort to fend off the Russians.

To better understand why this conflict erupted, a quick look back at some watershed events contributing to the powderkeg.

ETYMOLOGY

Throughout the 20th Century, Ukraine was part of the Soviet Union.

More than thirty years after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, most Russians still view Ukraine as part of Greater Russia.

The conflict has been ongoing in the region for some time now.

In 2014, shortly after Ukraine’s Revolution of Dignity, Russia ramped up its aggression. The main point of contention was Crimea.

Russians annexed the region. Shortly afterwards, war broke out in Donbas between Russian separatists and Ukrainian forces.

For nearly a decade, Russians and Ukrainians waged battle on varying platforms, from naval incidents to cyber warfare.

This was largely ignored by the mainstream media.

In early 2021, Russia built up a military presence surrounding Ukraine. NATO took notice and stories emerged of a pending Russian invasion.

Vladimir Putin denounced these claims as false while amassing an army, essentially surrounding Ukraine.

In February 2022, things finally came to a head.

FEBRUARY 2022

The weeks leading up to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine were ladened with tension.

NATO issued countless warnings, citing satellite photos they possessed proving Russia’s intent to wage war.

Vladimir Putin continually refuted such claims as propaganda by the West. Yet, on the morning of February 24, 2022, that’s exactly what happened.

The campaign was termed a ‘special military operation’ by The Kremlin. Putin went so far as to challenge Ukraine’s right to statehood.

Missiles and airstrikes bombarded Ukraine, including Kyiv.

Soon afterwards, the International community denounced the act and isolated Russia. Many countries imposed sanctions.

As images of the war flooded the airwaves,  humanitarian and military aid flowed to Ukraine.

To date, the U.S. alone has provided a staggering 20 billion in aid. Eight months into the conflict, we are only beginning to witness its ripple effects throughout the world.

TWO CAMPS

There are two opposing camps concerning the war. One side is pro-Ukraine and believes it is the duty of the free world to intervene and assist the outgunned Ukrainians.

These individuals tend to hold left-leaning political views and take what the mainstream media spins as gospel.

The other side of the coin has no desire to get involved in another overseas conflict. They are isolationists and have no interest in fighting other peoples’ battles. 

This attitude is a byproduct of the numerous wars the U.S. has recently engaged in – Korea, Vietnam, Iraq squared, and Afghanistan, to name a few.

Which side is right? That depends on where you stand ideologically.

However, before you digest every morsel depicted by the media and varying social media platforms, a little food for thought.

Ukraine is engulfed by controversy. Since the early 2010s, a growing problem involving far-right vigilantes has plagued the land.

These individuals spew hate and anti-Semitic rhetoric.

Also worth mentioning; in 2015 The Guardian ranked Ukraine as “the most corrupt nation in Europe”.

RESIDUAL EFFECTS

The effects of the war are a worldwide phenomenon.

Sanctions against Russia are ongoing, but not without pushback by The Kremlin.

According to numerous economists, Russia has cut its supplies of gas to Europe by 88% over the past year.

The lack of supply has sent international gas prices soaring, not to mention a real concern about how Europeans will warm their homes this winter.

Russians are leveraging their influence to combat their ostracization.

This war is bound to escalate. There’s a growing concern that the longer this battle goes, the more likely American involvement becomes.

Recently, reports surfaced of American military involvement on the frontlines alongside Ukrainians.

If this is true, expect nothing short of World War III in the coming months.

MOVING FORWARD

The war between Russia and Ukraine is an international event that is changing the way we live our lives.

There seems to be no end in sight with both sides digging in for the long haul.

Biden’s administration supports Ukraine unconditionally, intensifying an already tumultuous conflict.

It is important to remember that there is more than the mainstream media at your disposal now that we are in the information age.

Instead of consuming only one side of the story, a more prudent approach is to sift through varying outlets reporting on the war. By doing so, one gets a full view of the optics in play.

Perhaps Herodotus put it best:

‘In peace, sons bury their fathers. In war, fathers bury their sons.’