United for Ukraine

Photo Credit: Max Kukurdziak

As the world watches the horrors of war unfold in Ukraine, people are searching for ways to help Ukrainians and other refugees fleeing from Russia's violent attacks. What do we need to know about the situation in Ukraine and how can we help?

How we got here.
In 2014, Ukraine's former president Viktor Yanukovych was removed from office. With his ally ousted from power, Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed that Ukraine was being governed by extremists. That year, prompting international outrage, Putin gained control of Crimea, a southern region of Ukraine. Late last year, Putin deployed troops to the Ukrainian border but insisted that he had no plans to invade the country. In early February, Putin conducted "war games" near Ukraine in Belarus. And on February 24, he announced Russia's intention to invade Ukraine to ensure it is "cleansed of the Nazis," which is dangerous propaganda that is rightly being classified as disinformation by social media companies and governments.

Treacherous escape routes.

Since February 24, an estimated 1 million people have fled from Ukraine. The country is Europe's second-largest nation-state with major cities, like Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Odessa. These areas are bustling metropolises with booming populations. Given Ukraine's massive size, frigid winters, and limited public transportation options due to the conflict, escaping to safety is extremely treacherous. Looking at yesterday's data, the overwhelming majority, about half a million, have elected to cross the border to Poland. Others have ventured into Hungary, Moldova, Romania, and Slovakia. Interestingly, about 48,000 people have crossed into Russia. Most of the refugees are women and children because Ukrainian men between the ages of 18-60 are required to remain in the country to fight, regardless of prior military training. Foreigners, particularly African and South Asian students, have reported instances of outright discrimination and even physical assaults when trying to leave the country, especially at the crowded Polish border.

Putin's playbook in Syria.

Could Russia's recent military engagements provide a playbook for what is to come in Ukraine? In 2015, Russia started a military intervention in Syria, in support of the country's embattled leader, President Bashar Assad. The United Nations (UN) has been tracking and reporting on alleged war crimes and reports of torture in Syria, along with the massive refugee crisis that has resulted from that nation's ongoing civil war. According to UN reports, Russia carelessly bombed and killed civilians during a 2019 military campaign in Idlib, Syria. Russia vigorously denied these claims, but the UN report stated, "[...] the Russian air force did not direct the attacks at a specific military objective, amounting to the war crime of launching indiscriminate attacks in civilian areas."

Support refugee efforts abroad and at home. President Volodymyr Zelensky has displayed true grit while defending Ukraine. With governments already engaged on this issue, let's focus on helping Ukrainians who remain in the country and those who find new homes in other nations. By donating to the International Refugee Committee (IRC), your support can provide medical supplies, food, and emergency services to refugees. If you're in the U.S., through Refugee Council USA, you can find local resettlement agencies to volunteer with refugee families. To support efforts for Ukrainians at Poland's border, check out World Central Kitchen (WCK). Led by Chef José Andrés, WCK and Chefs for Ukraine have been in Poland, assisting refugees and providing hot meals.