Explainer: Understanding The War in Ukraine and Resources to Support Communities
On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, citing security concerns. Since then, the situation has progressively worsened, and the complicated history and geopolitics of the region have led to widespread mis- and disinformation.
Background
Ukraine and Russia have a long history dating back to the 1600s, with Ukraine a part of the Soviet Union up until a referendum on December 1, 1991, where Ukrainian citizens voted for Ukraine’s independence. However, Ukraine still harbored divisions between the Pro-Russian and Pro-Western parties despite independence. The divisions worsened for the next couple of decades, coming to a climax in 2014 with the forcible Russian annexation of Crimea after months of Pro-Western/Anti-Russia protests in Ukraine known as the Euromaidan/Revolution of Dignity protests.
In September 2021, Ukraine conducted military exercises with NATO forces, which Russian President Vladimir Putin has publicly said “would cross a fine red line” for Russia (The Hill). In response to Ukraine-NATO military drills, Russia increased troops around the Ukraine border, Crimea, Belarus – a Pro-Russia country that borders Ukraine and Russia – and other Pro-Russia territories in the region. While NATO and the United States repeatedly warned of an impending Russian invasion of Ukraine, Russian officials repeatedly denied the allegations, citing instead security concerns over NATO’s expansion into Eastern Europe.
In late February 2022, Putin used these security concerns to back the invasion of Ukraine, claiming to “demilitarize and de-Nazify Ukraine.” While Ukraine does have a far-right military regiment with Neo-Nazi ties, Ukraine has taken steps to address the issue – the country’s current President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, is Jewish and claims he had family that died during the Holocaust.
The conflict remains ongoing and rapidly developing, with fighting breaking out in multiple Ukrainian cities. Most of the Western world moved to impose strict sanctions on Russia to discourage continuing the war. Millions of civilians have fled, seeking refuge in neighboring countries like Poland.
Why doesn’t NATO help Ukraine?
Although Ukraine is a partner of NATO and has worked with member countries, it’s not a member itself, and thus, NATO’s Collective Defense Pledge does not apply to Ukraine. NATO’s direct intervention in the conflict could escalate the situation and cause a confrontation between the world’s largest nuclear powers.
However, NATO is providing humanitarian assistance and non-lethal aid to Ukraine. Individual member countries are also sending weapons, ammunition, medical supplies, and other vital military equipment.
What are the stances of South Asian countries?
Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka abstained from voting on a United Nations resolution denouncing the Russian invasion. Meanwhile, Afghanistan*, Bhutan, the Maldives, and Nepal voted in favor.
India and Pakistan both have ties to Russia and NATO, and most policy experts view their positions as protecting their individual interests and security concerns.
Will the war affect travel to South Asia?
United Airlines has started to avoid Russian airspace as of March 2nd, affecting its San Francisco to New Delhi and Newark to Mumbai routes. Delta Airlines will also no longer operate over Russian airspace, affecting its Asia-bound routes. Since last month, American Airlines has rerouted some of its flights to avoid Russian airspace.
How can you help?
Visit https://ukrainewar.carrd.co/ for a thorough list of resources and donation links.
Addition resources: https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/articles/2022-03-11/where-you-can-donate-to-help-ukraine
What about international students stuck at the border?
Foreign national students, including Indian and Kashmiri students, in Ukraine attempting to flee have reported multiple instances of violence at the border and denial of entry into Poland. For now, any student trying to escape should contact their embassy and coordinate with them on safely evacuating.
Got false information you want to share with us or something to fact-check?
References and Further Reading:
Adrian Florido and Hafsa Fathima. NPR. International students went to Ukraine to study. Now many worry they can't escape. 7 March 2022.
Al Jazeera. Kashmir students recount harrowing journey to escape Ukraine. 6 March 2022.
Al Jazeera. Profile: Who are Ukraine's far-right Azov regiment? | Military News. 1 March 2022.
Allan Ripp. NBC News. Ukraine's Nazi problem is real, even if Putin's 'denazification' claim isn't. 5 March 2022.
Anil Giri. Kathmandu Post. Nepal votes in favour of UN resolution to deplore Russian invasion of Ukraine. 3 March 2022.
Bilal Kuchay and Asad Hashim. Al Jazeera. India, Pakistan take a similar diplomatic path on Russia-Ukraine. 28 February 2022.
Chrystyna Lalpychak. The Ukranian Weekly. Over 90% vote yes in referendum; Kravchuk elected president of Ukraine. 8 December 1991.
Emily Ferguson. iNews. Which countries abstained from UN vote on Ukraine? Result of General Assembly's resolution on Russia explained. 3 March 2022.
Ivan Alekseyevich Yerofeyev. Britannica. Ukraine. Last Updated: 2 March 2022.
Lorne Cook. Associated Press. No Ukraine breakthrough, but NATO and Russia eye more talks. 12 January 2022.
Max Hunder. Kyiv Independent. As their universities are shelled, fleeing foreign students wait days at borders. 4 March 2022.
North Atlantic Treaty Organization. NATO - Topic: Relations with Ukraine. Last Updated: 11 March 2022.
Pete Muntean. CNN. United Airlines avoiding Russian airspace, cancels flights. 2 March 2022.
Sara Bjerg Moller. Washington Post. NATO can't send troops to Ukraine. Here is what it will probably do instead. 28 February 2022.
Shannon Tiezzi. The Diplomat. How Did Asian Countries Vote on the UN's Ukraine Resolution?. 3 March 2022.
Stephanie Busari, Nimi Princewill, Shama Nasinde, and Mohammed Tawfeeq. CNN. Indian and African students fleeing Ukraine say they face racism at border. 4 March 2022.
