Wednesday, February 23 was when President Putin of Russia announced that a “special military operation” would begin in Ukraine to “demilitarize” Ukraine with Putin calling Ukrainian citizens “Nazi’s.” Student Aaron Sanchez said, “Russia is wrong for doing this to Ukraine.” This announcement was made after a build up of almost 200,000 Russian troops were surrounding the eastern border of Ukraine. The next day, February 24 was when Russia started the invasion. There is not a known exact reason why Russia invaded Ukraine. 

A total of 1.7 million Ukrainians have left the country because of the invasion. Russia recognized two independent sepertartist states Donetsk People’s Republic and Luhansk People’s Republic but not Ukraine itself. 

Student Jerry Morales said “Russia’s doing that because they had only a little bit of it.” These refugees are moving to the countries Poland had taken in 1 million refugees,  Hungary had 180,000 refugees, and Moldova took in 82,762 refugees.

 The president of Ukraine Volodymr Zelensky has met Putin three times to negotiate a peaceful ending. Both countries are having talks of ceasefire but the Russian negotiator said it was too early to be speaking of a positive outcome from the war. When asked if there could be a peaceful ending Sanchez “I think there could be a peaceful ending to the war if Putin is smart.” When Russia first attacked they were targeting factories, airports, and military installations. The attack included a full invasion of land, air, and sea forces from Russia

The cities of Kyiv, Kharkiv, Mariupol, and Kherson were attacked. Kharkiv is a key point for Russia with it being 20 miles away from the border and it being the second largest city in Ukraine. Kherson is under Russia’s military control. 

Sanchez said “Russia shouldn’t be controlling Ukraine because Ukraine is its own country.” Those who didn’t join and still stayed fought back as well with molotovs. A barrage of explosives were recorded on camera lasting 36 seconds long. A 40 mile long Russian convoy was seen heading to the Ukraine capital Kyiv.

A war isn’t all Ukraine has to worry about as they are going through cyber attacks with the U.S.. Sanchez said “Russia is doing too much with cyber warfare, they shouldn’t be doing that.” The U.S. Government sent 90 tons of military equipment to Ukraine that is worth 125 millions dollars as well as medical supplies and relief. The U.S. imposed sanctions on Russia that made their currency Ruble, sink in value. The U.S. also banned Russian energy and oil imports. 

Poland offered to send MiG-29 fighter jets in Ukraine but the Pentagon rejected the plan. 9,000 American troops were sent to Germany to reassure U.N. allies. Morales said, “I don’t think  anybody should help them because of Russia.” The UK is sending anti-aircraft and anti-tank missiles to Ukraine. Refugees fled to the UK but the government is refusing to get rid of the requirement of a visa making it more difficult for refugees. 

 The European Union allowed refugees a temporary residence fleeing the war. Japan sent bullet proof vests. Japan is also planning to send more emergency supplies after Ukraine’s minister requested it. Student Moises Valencia said “I think the leader of Japan should help out.” About 2,000 to 4,000 Russian troops were killed. 

1,579 Russian troops were injured. 406 Ukrainian civilians had died from the conflict .61 civilians were injured as 44 of them being children. Ukraine wanted a no-fly zone over its country to stop Russia but NATO and President Biden declined the idea because that would bring them into direct conflict with Russia making things worse.