An Update on Ukraine

It has been nearly 2 months since we last covered the Russo-Ukrainian conflict, and much has happened. To recap, Vladimir Putin’s original intention when the invasion began on February 24th was to stop Ukraine from joining NATO. He stated that Russia’s primary goal is to “demilitarise and de-Nazify Ukraine”. This has been criticized by many, including the Foreign Minister of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba, saying “It’s crazy, sometimes not even they can explain what they are referring to.” While an overwhelming amount of Russian soldiers are being sent to Ukraine, they are still managing to hold their own.

Ukrainian forces have recently reported recapturing more settlements in the region of Kharkiv. The general staff of Kharkiv said Wednesday “as a result of the offensive of our troops, the settlement of Dementiivka was liberated.” There has also been support from outside Europe such as the sanctions from the U.S. which have continued to target Russia’s economy, including “a global network of more than 40 individuals and entities led by U.S.-designated Russian oligarch Konstantin Malofeyev,” and “companies operating in Russia’s virtual currency mining industry, reportedly the third-largest in the world.” Many companies have also continued to pull out of Ukraine, including Disney, Sony Pictures, and Warner Bros. who have all stopped releasing content in Russia. However, Russia isn’t the only country that’s been suffering losses.

Since Monday, May 16, a total of 959 Ukraine soldiers, including 80 wounded, have surrendered and been sent to a prison colony in a Russia-controlled area of Ukraine, according to Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov on Wednesday. The fighting has been persistent on both sides, but it may soon slow down. Discussion within NATO has shifted dramatically after Ukraine has fought so valiantly against Russian forces. NATO is now concerned if Kyiv can take back Russian-controlled areas like Crimea and the Donbas territories. A NATO military official said Wednesday, “I think we’ll be in a standstill for a while.”