Trigger warning: this article contains descriptions and facts that may be triggering and/or disturbing.
February 24th, 2022.
The eyes of 44 million people shed another tear of despair: now the two bordering countries with similar official languages are clashing while the innocent are subjected to traumatic events. Undoubtedly, not a single soul – be it a child or an elderly person – do not deserve to feel like the underground is the only safe place. However, their hearts constantly shatter by the thought of their loved ones fighting for Ukraine.
What makes the situation even more horrendous is the numbers of civilian deaths. According to Ukraine’s health ministry, 352 civilians, including 14 children, have been killed; 1684 have been wounded. But is this the only abnormality of the war?
Whereas many Ukrainian patriots from ages 18 to 65 have reported willingness to combat with Russia, the opponents do not share any enthusiasm in participating in the conflict. Some of them even describe how they fallaciously thought to be taken into drills, and then ended up invading a country for unknown purposes.
Now, what is the “purpose” of this dilemma? Does the biggest country in the world want to own even greater lands?
Just a day before the mist of broken peace invaded people’s lives, Putin declared that Russia’s main purpose is to “de-Nazificate” Ukraine and to stop people from being “bullied” and subjected to “genocide”. These are all absurd statements, as the leader of the latter country Zelenskyy is Jewish.
Is the military power of opposite countries similar?
As seen in the table below, it is clear that Russia holds a great military advantage.
| Ukraine | Russia |
Active personnel | 196000 | 900000 |
Reserve personnel | 900000 | 2000000 |
Armored fighting vehicles | 3309 | 15857 |
Aircraft | 132 | 1391 |
Helicopters | 55 | 948 |
Submarines | 0 | 49 |
This already proves that the war between these two countries is fundamentally unequal.
Countries supporting Ukraine
Many countries, including Canada, the EU, Japan, New Zealand, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and the United States have brought up sanctions against Russia, which address the use of banks, oil refineries and military exports. For example, the prime minister Justin Trudeau has tweeted: “Today, in light of Russia’s reckless and dangerous military strike, we are imposing further, severe sanctions.” Canada will officially prioritize immigration applications from Ukraine. The United Kingdom declared that it will lock Russian’s Sberbank and impose sanctions on three more banks.
The primary purpose of these changes is to remind Russia about the importance of preserving traditional Ukrainian lands and warn them about the plausible consequences of further attacks targeted at the latter country.
Thankfully, many countries support Ukraine during this war. Hopefully, with more countries urging Russia to stop military operations, peace will be established nationwide.
Gulchin Aliyeva
Comments