Russia-Ukraine: What’s happening and how you can help

Update on 2 March 2022: This article has been updated with additional donation links (see: ‘How can you help?’ at the bottom of this page) to aid the escalating war in Ukraine, following unfruitful peace talks with Russia. 

Original article dated 28 February 2022:

After months of escalating tensions, Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a military attack on Ukraine last Thursday (24 February). The world watched in horror as nearly 200,000 Russian troops invaded Ukraine’s borders, with multiple reports of bombings and missile strikes on the country’s infrastructure and border guards. According to Reuters, this is the “biggest attack on a European state since World War Two.”

Here’s what you need to know about the Russia-Ukraine crisis.

What is happening in Ukraine?

On Thursday, Russian leader Vladimir Putin made a televised address announcing a “specialised military operation” aimed at demilitarising Ukraine. Minutes after, Russian troops entered the country from the north, east and south borders of Ukraine, apparently targeting the capital of Kyiv and the cities of Kharkiv and Kherson.

Over 130 civilians and military personnel have been killed and at least 300 others have been wounded as of Saturday, less than 24 hours since the offensive—what Ukrainian officials described as a “full-scale invasion” of the country. Thousands more have fled their homes to seek asylum in neighbouring countries including Poland, Modolva, and beyond.

Following the attack, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy imposed martial law on the country. He called on citizens to defend their nation, offering weapons to everyone who wants them and declaring an overnight curfew for Kyiv. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has implored the world to impose devastating sanctions on Russia.

As of the time of writing, Russia has slowed its offensive but is still pushing forward on Ukraine. Putin has also placed his nuclear forces on alert. Some countries have already started supplying weapons and/or humanitarian aid to Ukraine, including the United States and EU countries. High-level talks between Kyiv and Moscow are set to take place on the Ukraine-Belarus border today (28 February).

What is the cause of the invasion?

The historical context behind the Russia-Ukraine war is complex and dates as far back as the origin of the two countries. For the sake of brevity, the ongoing attacks are most closely linked to two key developments: Ukraine’s ambitions to become a part of The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and the European Union (EU); and Russia’s recognition of the eastern Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk as republics.

Since ousting their last pro-Russia president in 2014, Ukraine has actively made the quest for NATO membership. In December 2021, Putin demanded that NATO rule out admitting any new members from among the former Soviet states—which includes Ukraine—and that NATO forces pull back from positions in other countries near Russia. The U.S. and NATO rejected the demand, whilst Ukraine maintained that “Russia cannot stop Ukraine from getting closer with NATO and has no right to have any say in relevant discussions.”

On Monday (21 February), Putin formally recognised the two contested regions in Ukraine as republics. Analysts saw this as a move to challenge Ukraine’s government in order to replace it with a pro-Russian regime. Russia’s ensuing invasion appears to affirm this view.

Why should you care?