Kremlin vs. The World: six months into the Russian invasion of Ukraine
It has been over six months since Russia launched the invasion of Ukraine. Here is a summary of some of the key events of the war so far:
Help from the West
Adding to the previous $9.1 billion that the US had already provided since the war
began in February, this week, US announced a new $3 billion package of military aid to Ukraine. Other sources of military help to Ukraine include the UK, Germany and Sweden and NATO with humanitarian aid.
Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant
After Russia allegedly bombed the site of Europe's largest nuclear facility, Ukraine's
president Zelensky stated that Europe was on the verge of a "radiation accident." Zelensky added it was partly the Ukrainian technician staff that helped prevent the disaster. Both sides have blamed each other for bombing and the near-accident.
Key stats
Over 13 million Ukrainians have been displaced - some within the country and some dispersed across Europe (UNHCR)
More than 10,000 Ukrainian civilians have been killed since the war broke out
Russia currently occupies 20% of Ukrainian land, according to President Zelensky
What's next?
Even after months of immense sanctions (including personal sanctions on Putin), bans on exports of oil and gas and other means by which the West has tried to suffocate Russia, the Kremlin is not showing signs of pulling back anytime soon.
While Russia continues its invasion of Ukraine (to the point of introducing the Russian rouble as the currency in regions like Zaporizhzhia and Kherson), President Zelensky demanded Russia withdraw its army, adding that Ukraine will not surrender any of its lands. I would argue that negotiations are a dead end.
As the war persists, it is our duty as the observers to continue informing ourselves on the war in Ukraine and actively spreading word on the matter. The only action we should be avoiding is remaining indifferent, as the war in Ukraine cannot be ignored, or worse - dismissed as unimportant.