February 25, 2022 | NEWS | By Susie Dummit
At 5:07 a.m. local time on Feb. 24, 2022, Russia officially launched a military attack against Ukraine. After months of tension between the two countries, with Russia’s military lining the shared border, explosions were reported in seven different cities in Ukraine, and sounds of artillery fire were reported in other cities as well.
Prior to this assault, Russia had recently executed a series of cyber-attacks against Ukraine, using data-wiping tools against their government agencies and banks. The militarization of the border stems from Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent demands of the West and Ukraine to prevent Ukraine from joining NATO, and for the demilitarization of the state of Ukraine. Following these attacks Thursday morning, Putin has urged Ukrainian forces to lay down their arms in televised remarks.
“Since the late 1990s, the Russian security establishment has clearly been alarmed by the Eastward expansion of NATO and by the US reluctance to take potential Ukraine membership off the table,” said John Gould, professor of political science at CC, on the root of the crisis. The Moscow Kremlin referred to the militarization as a “peacekeeping” mission.
Ukraine’s parliament voted on Wednesday to approve a draft law which gives permission to Ukrainians to carry firearms and act in self-defense in preparation for any attacks, as well as drafting reservists aged 18-60. On Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky introduced martial law across the country, while insisting citizens remain calm. It was reported that he attempted to call Putin on Wednesday but was unsuccessful.
According to US officials, 50,000 civilian deaths are projected to occur due to this invasion and up to 5 million refugees could result. Russia has more than triple the amount of troops and military resources than Ukraine’s armed forces.
“Whatever the wider geopolitical implications of Putin’s invasion, there are real people who are dying and who are scared and who are fleeing for their lives,” said one political science student. “And there are members of the CC community who are worried about their friends and family members in Ukraine.”
Earlier this month, President Joe Biden ordered an evacuation of the United States Embassy in Ukraine in anticipation of these attacks. As of Thursday morning, it was reported that Biden condemned the Russian attack in a call with Zelensky.
On Tuesday, Biden imposed sanctions on Russia as a warning against potential attacks. Since the attacks, Biden is poised to impose further, harsher sanctions. The new sanctions include export blocks on technology, an act that would cripple Russia’s ability to advance its military and aerospace sector, as well as sanctions on Russia’s banks and “corrupt billionaires,” according to Biden.
“Putin is the aggressor. Putin chose this war. And now he and his country will bear the consequences,” Biden said.
However, in December of last year, Biden announced that no U.S. forces would be deployed to Ukraine in the event of a Russian invasion and has maintained this position. Amid public fear of potential American military intervention, there is no indication yet that these fears will be confirmed.
As the conflict grows more serious, CC students continue to discuss the implications of the affair.
“Aside from Russia, Ukraine, and the U.S., the players I’m most curious about are Germany and China.” said Gray Sizer Cullen ’22. “Germany is notably part of NATO but relies on Russia for 50% of its gas and electricity; something that Russia has already started to cut off.”
“Putin’s decision to invade caught many by surprise — precisely because most saw it as a worst case, maximalist scenario,” Gould said. “What we have today is a deeply unsettling, if not terrifying, disruption of the post-cold war status quo.”
“Whatever the wider geopolitical implications of Putin’s invasion, there are real people who are dying and who are scared and who are fleeing for their lives,” said a political science student. “And there are members of the CC community who are worried about their friends and family members in Ukraine.”
Earlier this month, President Joe Biden ordered an evacuation of the United States Embassy in Ukraine in anticipation of these attacks. As of Thursday morning, it was reported that Biden condemned the Russian attack in a call with Zelensky.
On Tuesday, Biden imposed sanctions on Russia as a warning against potential attacks, and since the attacks, is poised to impose further, harsher sanctions. The new sanctions include export blocks on technology, an act that would cripple Russia’s ability to advance its military and aerospace sector, as well as sanctions on Russia’s banks and “corrupt billionaires,” according to Biden.
“Putin is the aggressor. Putin chose this war. And now he and his country will bear the consequences,” Biden said.
However, in December of last year, Biden announced that no U.S. forces would be deployed to Ukraine in the event of a Russian invasion and has maintained this position. Amid public fear of potential American military intervention, there is no indication yet that these fears will be confirmed.
As the conflict grows more serious, CC students continue to discuss the implications of the affair.
“Aside from Russia, Ukraine, and the U.S., the players I’m most curious about are Germany and China.” said Gray Sizer Cullen, ’22. “Germany is notably part of NATO but relies on Russia for 50% of its gas and electricity; something that Russia has already started to cut off. China, as of right now, has yet to release a statement on this emerging war, but is notably buddy-buddy with Russia historically. Will China endorse Russia’s actions? Will Germany have to be more neutral than they wish to be?”
“Putin’s decision to invade caught many by surprise—precisely because most saw it as a worst case, maximalist scenario,” Gould said. “What we have today is a deeply unsettling, if not terrifying, disruption of the post-cold war status quo.”