For some time leading up, Russian troops had been getting strategically placed around the border of Ukraine. The threat of invasion grew more and more imminent and, unfortunately, it was. “Russia launched an unprecedented invasion of its neighbor Ukraine on Thursday, with military assaults on several key Ukrainian cities including its capital, Kyiv.” CNBC had reported on February 24th 2022.

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced his “special military operation” early Thursday morning. Putin’s grab for power was masqueraded as a demilitarization of Ukraine. He claimed it was to protect people from the “Kyiv regime” that has been oppressing the people and even went as far to say Russia wouldn’t occupy Ukrainian territories and "We are not going to impose anything on anyone by force." It was a blatant lie. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded with a minute long speech of his own saying “The West is with us,” and mobilized his country, announcing martial law.

Hours before dawn, areas close to Kyiv had been rained on by artillery and missile attacks. As morning closed in, attacks spread deeper and deeper across Ukraine. “The attack on Ukraine is taking place both on the ground and by air, with reports that Russian forces have breached the Kyiv region. Explosions have also been heard in the cities of Odessa, Kharkiv and Mariupol, and there are reports of fighting and fatalities in other parts of the country.” CNBC had reported later.  

As Thursday carried on sounds of sirens, burning rubble, and vehicles roaring filled the air that hung heavy over the capitol and remaining Ukraine. Multiple points of attack had been led against the country. Yet as the day continued, more and more answered the call that Zelensky rang out. Ukraine’s defense minister, Oleksii Reznikov, even posted a message on Facebook  saying, “Anyone who is ready and able to hold weapons” can now join the Territorial Defense Forces, he said, adding that to get weapons, Ukrainians needed to contact “brigades and battalions directly in your region. You only need to have a passport,” Ukrainian citizens began to fight tooth and nail as they would not give up their independence quietly. Multiple areas report heavy battles, destroyed weaponry and vehicles, and casualties on both sides.

Ukraine originally gained independence from Russia with a treaty signed in 1991. Russia never fully accepted this and has been actively trying to find ways to limit Ukrainian independence since. Russia has been seeking to seize Ukraine and grow more in power and dominance. With this, Ukraine would not want to move backwards and be subjected to that again, therefore they strive, struggle, and battle for their independence.

Reports and rumors were reported all throughout that Thursday. When Friday morning hit, it was quiet and everything was closed. Citizens had fled. Shock hung over the country and the rest of the world. Multiple countries, including the US, condemned the Russian attacks and voiced support for Ukraine, some even supplying weapons to the country. Ukraine continues to fight and push back against Putin and Russia’s deplorable grasp for power.

Even after years of history riddled conflict and oppression, this conflict is a pivotal historical moment for both these countries and the world is watching to see what will be written. Russia is once again making an attempt to rule over and take power from Ukraine. This lure of power and control has led to years of turmoil and thrown both countries into a state of shock, only time will tell how this conflict will end. 

Works Cited

Ellyatt, Holly. “Russian Forces Invade Ukraine.” CNBC, NBCUniversal, 24 Feb. 2022, https://www.cnbc.com/2022/02/24/russian-forces-invade-ukraine.html.

Macaya, Melissa, et al. “Here's How Russia's Invasion of Ukraine Unfolded.” CNN, Cable News Network, 25 Feb. 2022, https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-news-02-24-22-intl/h....

Psaropoulos, John. “Timeline: A Month of Russia's War in Ukraine.” Russia-Ukraine War News | Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera Media Network, 23 Mar. 2022, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/3/23/timeline-a-month-of-war-in-ukraine.