TW: War, death
A summary and key points can be found at the bottom of the post.
It has been exactly two years since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24th 2022. Today we want to remind everyone of the ongoing situation and show our support for Ukraine.
A recap: What happened in Ukraine 2 years ago?
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine began in February 2014 when Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula. Since then the situation has been tense in many ways with various skirmishes occurring over the years. Eventually Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022.
In the early stages of the war Russia seized large territories and made an unsuccessful attempt to attack Kyiv. However, Ukraine managed to recapture some of the areas from the Russians. Russia organized referendums in the occupied territories on September 23rd-27th 2022 regarding the annexation of these regions to Russia. A significant majority supported the annexation but the elections are considered fraudulent with a predetermined outcome. Russia’s president Vladimir Putin announced on September 30th the annexation of several Ukrainian territories to Russia.
The international community has condemned Russia for its actions in Ukraine, accusing it of violating international law. Many countries have imposed economic sanctions on Russia, Russian individuals, and Russian companies as well as companies that support Russia.
What is happening nowadays
So far an estimated 500,000 people, including civilians, have died or been injured in the war between Russia and Ukraine. The conflicts are still going on and the situation remains complex and tense, causing human suffering and significant consequences for both Ukraine and Russia. The international community continues its efforts to achieve peace and resolve the conflict through diplomacy and negotiations.
Russia is also known for punishing dissenters and citizens who oppose the war. Recently there have been headlines about the death of Alexei Navalny, who was a Russian opposition leader and activist known for his fight against the Russian government and corruption. He died under unclear circumstances in a Russian prison on February 16, 2024. Putin is suspected to be responsible for his death.
How to support Ukraine
To support Ukraine, you can:
- Donate to organizations, for example the Red Cross and UNICEF.
- Start volunteering in charitable organizations or participate in their activities.
- Educate yourself about the situation and stay informed.
- Share information on social media platforms.
- Support businesses that contribute funds to Ukraine.
Summary
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Russia invaded Ukraine two years ago.
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Conflict started in 2014 with Crimea annexation and escalated into full-scale invasion in 2022.
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Russia seized territories and attempted to attack Kyiv but Ukraine reclaimed some areas.
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Referendums held in occupied territories in September 2022 were seen as fraudulent.
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Putin announced annexation of Ukrainian territories on September 30, 2022.
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Approximately 500,000 casualties, including civilians.
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Recent death of Alexei Navalny is suspected to be caused by Putin.
Sources
https://unric.org/en/the-un-and-the-war-in-ukraine-key-information/
https://edition.cnn.com/2024/02/22/europe/ukraine-russia-eu-anniversary-intl/index.html
The Inclusivity Group
