By Taylor Domson

As Russia continues its steady invasion of neighboring Ukraine, innocent Ukrainian civilians, military forces, and faraway bystanders digest the foreign taste of modern war. The world watches with a keen eye for aid, seeking to protect the country tottering on the seesaw of NATO alliance and hasty ceasefire.

On February 22, Russia officially began its invasion of the former breadbasket of the Soviet Union, claiming it was not feasible to feel “safe, develop, and exist” amidst the constant threat of Ukraine, as related by Russian president Vladimir Putin.

Present-day Ukraine. Image credit: Wikimedia Commons user Homoatrox.

It all began in 2014, when Ukrainians ousted their pro-Russian leader, Viktor Yanukovych, a declared member of the Communist Party. Under the Yanukovych government, Ukraine faced the prospect of signing the European Union-Ukraine Association Agreement, a diplomatic accord emblematic of a movement towards the Western political stage. When leadership instead lobbied for increased connection to its Eastern neighbors, namely Russia and the Eurasian Economic Union, civilians responded with haste. Citizens performed public demonstrations and kickstarted civic unrest in what is commonly referred to as the Euromaidan Movement. The culmination of civilian public protest and national security response ultimately catalyzed the subsequent Revolution of Dignity. Ukrainian civilians publicly denounced their oppressive government, favoring basic human rights instead. The echo for democracy achingly reached the West, whose bystanders quietly watched Ukraine fight for political and social justice. However, just as Ukrainian citizens fought the influence of lingering eastern oligarchy, Russia swiftly completed its annexation of Crimea, a small portion of Ukraine. The peninsula has served as the host for heated debate for many years, as its territorial identity and sense of ownership attract both Ukraine and Russia. President Putin hastily injected Russian leadership into Crimea, utilizing military force and nuclear threats to make Ukraine submit.

Since then, Ukrainian and Russian relations have traversed a bumpy path. The failed European Union-Ukraine Agreement, however, did not deter Ukrainian movement towards the western front of politics. The country entered agreements with the European Union (EU) and swept international news with intentions to enter the NATO alliance. The military alliance features many western European and North American countries, all in favor of Russia’s enemy—democracy. In response to such plans, Putin placed Russian troops on the Ukrainian border in October 2021. Putin recently reported that NATO jeopardizes “our historic future as a nation,” which he claims warranted the invasion of Ukraine.

Violence immediately ensued and still embattles innocent Ukrainian citizens every day. Shellings, bombings, and front-line skirmishes disrupt the daily lives of countless citizens. Advanced media coverage has uncovered Russia’s massive movement of weapons to Ukrainian territory, such as bombs, missiles, and extensive military armor. Russia has claimed unrestricted violence, injuring at least 2000 civilians in acts of war. According to Relief Web, a humanitarian information portal, “most of the civilian casualties recorded were caused by the use of explosive weapons with a wide impact area, including shelling from heavy artillery and multi-launch rocket systems, and missile and air strikes.” In total, at least 900 innocent Ukrainian citizens have lost their lives, many of which have been women and children—including those killed in an explosion of a hospital maternity ward in the besieged city of Mariupol. As a result, many Ukrainians have fled, seeking refuge in neighboring eastern European countries such as Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Moldova, and Romania. As of March 15, Poland had taken in just shy of two million refugees.

Ukrainian refugees arriving in Poland.
Photo credit: Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine via Wikimedia Commons.

Rumors of a ceasefire have emerged, and the global population awaits any form of compromise. Even as attacks continue on the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, both Putin and Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Zelensky have considered peace agreements. A 15-Point Plan—featuring ceasefire, Russian retreat from Ukraine, and Kyiv’s neutrality—allegedly entered the negotiation table. No ceasefire has yet emerged, and Kyiv remains a battleground. 

U.S. President Joe Biden participated in a phone call with Chinese President Xi on Friday, March 18, firmly expressing his disapproval of Chinese aid to the Russian cause. If the Chinese government extends economic or military provisions towards Russia, Biden implied an American response worthy of Chinese recognition may result. Secretary of State Antony Blinken boldly summarized the call, saying the U.S. will “not hesitate to impose costs” on China if it enters Russian waters of alliance. As the U.S. boldly asserts its intentions against two of its historically greatest foes, how educated is our own community concerning the conflict?

Oftentimes, amidst such frightening events and continued COVID-19 updates, news shoulders the burden of tragic updates. It shares the devastating information that citizens may not want to hear. Since the news bears such a negative reputation among the younger generations, many simply refrain from tuning in to it. Club volleyball coach and Douglass S. Freeman High School history teacher Drew Lovering knows “Biden had a conversation with the Chinese government” but admits, “I haven’t checked the news, because it makes me sad.” While Lovering may avoid the news due to its content, many teenagers spend their free time browsing social media for updates, as opposed to news websites.

Image credit: Pixabay.

I myself rarely watch TV news, but I have seen scenes on Tik Tok that feature war themes. Similarly, Gabby Chen (‘23) says, “I have received updates via Instagram and APUSH [AP US History] class.” It seems social media has risen as a popular, yet questionably accurate source of news for many teenagers. A recent survey by Common Sense Media revealed that 54% of teens receive daily news from apps such as Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Now, reliable news platforms are competing with influencers, celebrities, and online personalities for attention. Even though teenagers admit that primary news sources offer clear, understandable descriptions of current events, many reach for social media due to convenience. In fact, teens often stumble upon the news on social media. 

In school, however, history classes have proffered an environment for open conversation. The Upper School recently offered a lunchtime forum promoting education, global awareness, and animated discussion. Mediated by Upper School history teachers and the Debate Club, it served as an informational meeting. Upper School history teacher Suzanne Lewis offered a special lecture concerning the historical relationship between Ukraine and Russia to my own AP US History class. Likewise, Middle School students remain in step with current events in class. Middle School student J.D. C. (‘26) says, “I watch CNN-10 every day during history class with [Middle School history teacher] Michael Brost.” 

Photo credit: Daniel Christensen via Wikimedia Commons.

For adults like my father Gregory Domson, however, the conflict seems to loom over the American people. Its effect on American lives concerns him, as he laments, “I’m scared of the higher gas prices and general cost of living in part of the conflict’s effect on our economy.” Indeed, at my last venture to the gas station, I spent just shy of $80 to refill my tank. As Biden bans “imports of oil, natural gas, coal and some petroleum products from Russia,” it’s clear that the war is having an effect on the energy sector as well.

Featured image credit: Jernej Furman via Flickr.