Well, as all of you almost definitely know, Russian President Vladimir Putin has begun an invasion into Ukraine.  If you don’t know, here’s a little bit of background.  Before, about 25 years ago, the Soviet Union, which was controlled by Russia, contained many countries, including Ukraine.  Then, 25 years ago, Ukraine decided that they were fed up with Russia, and broke free, and this gave other countries the ideas and confidence to do the same which contributed to the end of the Soviet Union.  Now, it is theorized that President Vladimir Putin wants to rebuild the Soviet Union and take back its old territory.

Now that you have a little bit of background, this is what has happened recently about the invasion.  At first, Russia began sending troops by the Ukrainian border, in order to “keep the peace.”  Then, Russia said that it was pulling out of Ukraine, as they started a full-scale invasion, the goal to take control of the country, where millions of people just like you work and read and sleep and live.  Putin claims he has sent in ‘Peacekeepers’ to save the Russian citizens but over 2,000 innocent citizens have been killed. Putin has also stated that if other countries were to intervene, “You will face consequences greater than any you have faced in history,” and most of you know what this means.

Protests have erupted in Ukraine and in Russia against Putin, as many Russian people do not like what is going on.  Over five thousand Russian protestors have been sent to jail as Vladimir Putin has laws to prevent protests against him.  Regular Ukrainian civilians are standing up and fighting against Russian soldiers invading their homeland.  The USA is supplying them with ammunition to help them defend their country. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy even said, “I don’t need a ride, I need ammunition”  when the USA offered him an escape from Ukraine.  Ordinary people all over Ukraine are standing up to fight, some even moving from countries like Germany and Poland to help the effort.  One man picked up a landmine with his BARE HANDS and carried it away from the street.  He later disposed of it.  Another man blew himself up to stop a Russian advance of tanks from getting into the country.  As he was escaping to get away from the bridge rigged with bombs, the tanks reached the bridge and were going to cross before he could get out of the way.  So, this brave man decided to explode himself to preserve his country.  One bar began selling Molotov Cocktails, alcoholic drinks with rags inside.  If you do not know what Molotov Cocktails are they are highly explosive with a flammable rag to light, like a homemade bomb.  One Ukrainian cop’s parents, wife, and children, ages six and one, were killed in the Russian invasion.

I know this was one of my lengthier articles, but this must be spoken about.

I strongly urge you to support Ukraine and its people in any way you can, even if it is just telling someone else to do the same.

Credit for the amazing cover image goes to Oscar Molina, another staff member on The Viking Voice!