Developments on the Russia–Ukraine War: A Brief Analysis

Russia has continued to bombard regions of Ukraine such as Vinnytsia. (President of Ukraine)

The Current Situation

Beginning in 2014, the ongoing Russian–Ukrainian conflict has since experienced both escalations and falls. One such instigation began in early 2022, with a reconciliation yet to arrive. As the war progresses, relations strain, missiles strike, and fighting erupts―indications of a prolonged conflict far from over.

Russia

Russia made a sequence of tactical movements throughout July. In the span of three days, from July 11 to 14, Russian forces captured Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv, and released fire in central Ukraine. Vinnytsia, a central Ukrainian city, documented the deaths of more than 20 civilians, with more than 100 individuals wounded. However, Russia has denied targeting any Ukrainian civilians. Furthermore, selective Black Sea ports have been captured by Russia, impeding Ukrainian exports and foreign trade.

The Russian media portrays the conflict from a skewed perspective. Most pro-Kremlin outlets, such as the state-run RIA Novosti, celebrate victories over Ukrainian metropolises, claiming that “the period of split of the Russian people is coming to an end.” Television broadcasts call the conflict a measure to “re-educate the Ukrainian people.” Words such as “war” and “invasion” are not used; instead, the conflict is referred to as a “special military operation.” According to surveys and state-run polls, 64 percent of Russians obtain news and updates from television, and 70 percent support the Kremlin.

Ukraine

More than 9.5 million civilians have fled Ukraine as of July 22. Due to the Russian blockade of the Black Sea, agricultural facilities in Ukraine are disintegrating, impeding grain imports and exports. Although international pressure has prompted Russia to sign a grain agreement with Ukraine, missiles were still fired on Odesa, a Ukrainian port.

A data report from the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) documents 5,110 deceased civilians and 6,752 injured individuals up to this month. The Kyiv Independent, a Ukrainian news outlet, reports that the Russian–Ukrainian conflict has led to the deaths of at least 353 children since February 24. Specific numbers from either military cannot be confirmed due to lack of proper documentation.

International Relations and Interference

Heavy sanctions have been imposed on Russia post-interference with Ukraine. The European Union (EU) has recently added more, with additional plans to ban Russian gold exportation. Furthermore, the EU’s foreign ministry pledged $508 million as Ukrainian military aid.

Despite recent governmental changes in Ukraine, such as the suspension of the Ukrainian General Prosecutor and the Head of the Security Service, the United States continues to offer intelligence to Ukrainian officials. Additionally, the U.S. Air Force will send drones and security assistance to Ukrainian militia.

The United Kingdom plans to retract all Russian oil imports by the end of 2022. Collectively, the EU, the U.S., and the U.K. have imposed over one thousand sanctions on Russian businesses and individuals. Russian flights are also banned from the airspaces of the EU, the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. Economists predict that the imposed sanctions and restrictions will result in a 10 percent degeneration of the Russian economy.

The Russian–Ukrainian conflict has undeniably left its mark on history and humanity. As death tolls rise, economies crumble, and negotiations emerge and fail, historians document a perpetuating conflict, one that may plausibly linger past mid-2022.