For years now, tensions between Russia and Ukraine have continued to rise because of Putin’s fears about Ukraine joining NATO. According to the BBC, Putin claimed his goal was to protect people subjected to bullying and genocide and aim for the “demilitarisation and de-Nazification” of Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine denies Putin’s accusations of genocide in his country. 

On February 22, 2022, Russian troops invaded Eastern Ukraine, after months of tension at the border. Now, Russia is moving attack lines to three major cities in Ukraine – Kyiv, Kharkiv and Kherson. Despite the continued invasion efforts, Ukrainian troops are continuing to resist the invasion of their capital, Kyiv. President Zelensky, in a video on Twitter, said “I’m here. We are not putting down any arms. We will protect our country, because our weapons are our truth.” Even though Ukrainian troops are meeting Russian troops with a “stiffer-than-expected” resistance, the New York Times reports that many civilian Ukrainians are “huddled in air raid shelters, lined up at bank machines and stocked up on essentials”, after missiles and bombs continue to hit buildings and homes. 

Recent reports have stated that Russians have seized Europe’s largest nuclear power plant. While fighting to keep the plant in Ukrainian hands, a fire was started on site. It is still unclear whether or not a radiation leak has occurred, as of the morning of March 4. 

Although the Russian Constitution states that citizens are entitled to the freedom of speech and press, The New York Times reported that Russia’s independent broadcast media collapsed under pressure from the state. They also reported that the Russian Parliament has proposed legislation that “would make news considered ‘fakes’ about Russia’s war in Ukraine punishable by yearslong prison term”. 

Although the end of the war is not yet in the picture, The Talon Times staff will continue to pray and think of the millions of people and families this war has affected. 

Image courtesy of Max Pixel.