Image courtesy of Giovana Fleck.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022 has resulted in major loss of life and damage to cities and infrastructure, and the displacement of over 4 million refugees. The West has leveled unprecedented sanctions against Russia, where the government has cracked down on critics, shuttered independent media, and imposed draconian penalties on individuals who oppose the war.
The Ukrainian resistance has confronted Russian aggression with unexpected force. The Russian military has demonstrated a lack of preparation and ineffective internal communication. Ukraine’s capital Kyiv remains under Ukrainian control. But Russian forces in the east and south have made strategic gains and completely destroyed the city of Mariupol in the process. The front line of this war changes on a daily basis.
Diplomatically, Russia has become isolated, with even ally China keeping a certain distance. The large majority of UN members have condemned Russia’s actions, while NATO and the European Union are providing Ukraine with political and diplomatic support, military equipment, and humanitarian aid.
The events in Ukraine are already having dramatic effects on the global economy, and there is concern that the conflict could spread regionally or globally, dragging NATO countries, other European states, China, Turkey, or Japan into the fray.
Global Voices is covering the war with a special focus on consequences, both political and economic, in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, and Central and Eastern Europe, while animating the lived experience of people in Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus.
Reliable sources with frequent updates in English:
- The Kyiv-based English-language newspaper Kyiv Independent.
- The Riga-based independent russophone and anglophone media outlet Meduza.
Stories about Russia invades Ukraine
The Ukrainian Marshall Plan: Norman Foster, central banks, and Russian yachts
Much of Ukraine’s vital infrastructure has been destroyed, costing an estimated $500 billion. Plans from using seized Russian assets to relying on international architecture firms like Foster + Partners have been suggested.
Do Russian classics need a new interpretation after Russia's invasion of Ukraine? Interview with scholar Ani Kokobobo
Should Tolstoy and Dostoevsky be approached and read differently in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine? While some weaponize them, other would like to see them cancelled.
The propagandist Dugin and the justification of Russian imperialism
Following Dugin's "logic," imperialist Putin shelled and bombed Ukrainians to "liberate" them from Western demons and to "convince" them that they were brothers and not enemies.
Central Asia’s fears of rising militancy in Afghanistan as Moscow invades Ukraine
Since the Taliban takeover in August 2021, the three Central Asian states that border Afghanistan intended to defend their borders through security reinforcement and diplomacy, primarily relying on Russian initiatives.
For Russians living abroad and denouncing Ukraine's invasion, a new flag symbolizes opposition to Putin
Russians living abroad and opposing Putin's policies and the invasion of Ukraine are coming together under a redesigned Russian flag that embodies the refusal of imperialism and violence.
Russia's opposition needs to put aside their quarrels and unite against the war
Whenever there is an opportunity for Russia's opposition groups to unite to bring about change in the country, these efforts end in disunity writes former Novaya Gazeta journalist Ivan Zhilin.
Andrey Zakharov, BBC News Russian: For eight years, propaganda has been preparing people to support the war in Ukraine
In his opinion, Russia has lost the information war abroad, even though many Russian citizens support the regime.
Japan officially rebukes Ukraine for comparing wartime emperor with Hitler, Mussolini
"You can love Japan, and be proud to be Japanese, without defending this history of fascism."
Russian and Belarusian oppositionists in Munich come together to support Ukraine
In South Germany, Russians and Belarusians opposing their governments and Moscow's invasion of Ukraine join Ukrainians in street demonstrations to show solidarity and provide support to Ukrainians.
Russian émigrés face chilly reception in Georgia
In Georgia, one of the popular destinations for feeling Russians, the influx of the country's new residents has been met with less enthusiasm.
Podcast: Analysing how the Russian people respond to the war on social networks
This week we dive into research from the Civic Media Observatory around Russian sentiment about the war in Ukraine.
Sarajevo Stands with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people
Bosnians expressed empathy for the suffering people of Ukraine, based on their still fresh memories of their own suffering during the 1990s war, including the 3-year long siege of Sarajevo.
Tensions resurface in Kosovo after government imposes sanctions on Russia
During the two weeks after the latest escalation of the war in Ukraine, there were numerous attempts to misinform the public and create situations that would jeopardize public safety in Kosovo.
Families struggle to help Azerbaijanis in a besieged Ukrainian town
Attempts to evacuate residents were largely unsuccessful, until March 14, when more than 160 private cars finally left the city.
The war in Ukraine and its reverberations in Kosovo
The war in Ukraine has rekindled the diplomatic battles and mutual Kosovo-Serbia accusations.
Ukrainians use VKontakte marketplaces to inform Russians about the war
“Do you have a receipt for this jacket, Anya?” Ukrainian VK users are searching for items stolen from Bucha in Rubtsovsk online groups.
Indonesia is caught between Russia and the West ahead of the November G20 conference
This year’s G20 is being chaired by Indonesian President Joko Widodo who is facing pressure to ban Russian representatives because of Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Undertones: How Russian media lies to Russians about Ukraine
"It is sanitized military propaganda intended for domestic consumption.”
What Bolsonaro's ‘neutrality’ on Russia's invasion of Ukraine means
President Jair Bolsonaro espouses Brazil's neutrality, while Brazil's ambassador to the UN voted in favour of condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine along with 141 other countries.
War, words, and worries in Central Asia
Each state responded differently to the war: ignoring it altogether, incorporating their own national interests, and adapting to the changing course of war, while trying to withstand Russian pressure.
Satellite mapping project tracks damage to Ukrainian communities
Satellite Images Map of Ukraine incorporates satellite images, drone footage, and 3D visualization to track, organize, and verify damage done to Ukraine.
