What do we know about the war in Ukraine after day one?
Many people who woke up and turned on the news this morning were shocked to find a war in Europe had erupted. So what exactly happened, and what do we know now?
On February 23, Vladimir Putin ordered Russian troops — which had been building up along the Ukrainian border in Russia and Belarus for weeks — to cross the border in Ukraine’s north, east, and south to conduct a full-scale invasion.
This comes just after Putin announced in a formal address to Russia that:
- Ukraine is (somehow) an existential threat to Russia,
- Ukraine is a rightful territory of Russia’s, and
- That Russia would recognize two breakaway Oblasts in Ukraine’s east — Luhansk and Donetsk.
For example, look at this Russian propaganda — posted before the invasion — claiming only the yellow is true Ukraine.
What is so shocking is the degree to which Russia has engaged militarily. After his address in which he shared a false narrative of Ukraine’s history and voiced his intent to recognize the breakaway Oblasts, Putin said he would send peacekeepers to those regions.
The shock? Putin went further and instead invaded all of Ukraine. Sending troops in from Ukraine’s east via Russia, Ukraine’s north via Belarus, and Ukraine’s south via the Black Sea. The Ukrainian Defense Ministry reported some 90,000 or more Russian troops took part in the first days’ operations.
No one is certain what the situation is right now, but Ukraine has put up a stalwart defense. So far, this map seems accurate to the situation after the first day.
Again, Ukraine has put up a great fight thus far, having destroyed numerous Russian tanks, planes, and helicopters. Ukrainian forces have even captured Russian forces and equipment.
Despite some minor successes, the situation for Ukraine is dire. So much so that the country has requested online donations for the defense force to acquire arms and munitions.
Equally dire, Russia has seized many key towns and pieces of infrastructure, such as Chernobyl and the Antonov airport near Kyiv. News outlets are reporting that Russia will begin shelling Kyiv this evening. The Ukrainian Defense Ministry said it handed out some 10,000 rifles to civilians there so that they might make a stand.
Ukrainian spirits seem high for now though, and these patriotic people have made themselves famous on social media, as hundreds have lined up to join the fight for their country, culture, history, and future generations. Even this 80-year-old man.
When it comes to the war, it will continue on. Putin has shown no signs of calling off the invasion, even despite thousands of Russians bravely taking to the streets in protest. Hundreds, if not thousands, have already been arrested in St. Petersburg and Moscow.
As for the US and NATO, their response remains predictably unchanged. NATO troops will not touch down in Ukraine to assist against the Russian aggressors, but heavy economic sanctions are being made.
Biden spoke to Americans today, and here is the gist of what I made of it.
Because Ukraine is not a NATO ally, NATO members are not going to respond to Russia with force. This is where the complication of politics comes into play, despite us now knowing appeasement doesn’t work and that Russia will pursue its ambitions until stopped.
In my opinion, we severely ignored and underestimated this situation and Putin.
Even though our hearts and prayers are with Ukraine, all we can do is watch for now.
Follow me on Twitter @thecmeasure for the most current updates on the war.
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EDITS: 10:00 PM EST 24 FEB 2022
Earlier I said Russia had seized key towns and infrastructure. While Russia has destroyed some targets, such as military airfields, Russia, as of yet, does not hold any major Ukrainian city.
Russia has started shelling Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital.
