Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues into its fifth week leaving behind a path of destruction with no end in sight. It is a complicated situation that could impact the entire world.

After weeks of threats, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24. In a televised address, he called the assault “a special military operation” claiming Ukraine needs de-Nazification, though there is no evidence of this and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensy is Jewish.

Putin has had Russian troops on Ukraine’s borders since 2014. He has only started progressing on Feb. 24.He’s also made it clear that Zelensky is the number one target, and his family would be next. Putin then said that he wants to overthrow Ukraine’s elected government, so Ukraine can be cleansed from Nazi’s.

The Wall Street Journal said, new attacks have led refugees dead. Putin is deliberately bombing buildings which he knows have civilians in them, which would classify him as a war criminal.

“We are clear that any intentional attack or targeting of civilians is a war crime. Period,” Vice President Kamala Harris said. She also stated that Russia should be investigated for possible war crimes.

The United Nations (UN) stated, “Most of the civilian casualties recorded were caused by the use of explosive weapons with a wide impact area, including shelling from heavy artillery and multi-launch rocket systems, and missile and air strikes.”

There’s no way of knowing when Putin will stop the attacks. Whilst he is in power, he can control Russia’s military to do anything. And the only thing Ukraine can do is defend itself.

In a speech to the US Congress littered with references to Pearl Harbour, Martin Luther King and Mount Rushmore, President Zelensky rebuked his audience in distinctly undiplomatic language. “We ask for a response,” he pleaded. “For the response to terror. Is this too much to ask?”

According to ABC News, the U.S. has made their way into this by stopping all money going to Russia from gas and oil. Gas prices have been going higher and higher each day. They are refusing to fund Russia with any extra money. President Biden also announced to the American public that he will not, in fact, be sending American troops onto Ukraine soil.

CBS News said that Russia is a major exporter of crude oil, accounting for about 12% of the world’s supply. Any disruption to those exports is likely to drive prices at the pump higher for consumers.

With thousands of troops dead on both sides of the war, there is no knowing of when this war will end. Some say it will either be when Zelensky is killed, or when Putin dies.

In situations such as these, it’s easy to feel helpless and even hopeless, but there are many ways that individuals can help.
NBC Chicago listed a couple of charities to donate to to help those in need.
GlobalGiving Ukraine Relief Fund – GlobalGiving is using all donations to support humanitarian assistance to impacted communities in Ukraine, as well as the surrounding regions where refugees have fled. Donating to the cause will provide basic necessities such as shelter, food, clean water, including health, psychosocial support, access to education and economic assistance and more.
UNICEF – UNICEF mainly supports children and families caught in conflict in Ukraine. The agency provides educational support, psychosocial support, emergency supplies as well as access to safe water. The organization announced it has scaled up its programs following the invasion. Catherine Russell, UNICEF executive director, said the intensifying violence in Ukraine posed immediate threats to the lives and wellbeing of the country’s 7.5 million children.
Catholic Relief Services – The Catholic agency is deploying staff and resources to support local church partners in Ukraine, Romania, Moldova and Poland. The help includes food distribution, transportation services, support for people who arrived at different transport hubs and reception centers.