“I can not see my friends and family in Kyiv because I can not go there without fear of being killed by a rocket or stray bullet. It’s been very hard.”
As the sirens echo through desolate streets, the stories of loss and resilience go untold in a nation forced to endure unimaginable heartache. It’s been almost three years since Russia attacked Ukraine on February 24th, 2022. Families are being torn apart, homes are being bombed, and a country is grieving. Around 60,000 to 100,000 Ukrainians have been killed, and 400,000 more are wounded or in critical condition. Every week, at least 16 children are killed or injured by the conflict.
Despite the casualties of the war, Ukraine is still fighting for their independence. Russia has lost about 784,200 military personnel along with a significant amount of military equipment, and its economy has been impacted in many ways. Russia’s GDP fell due to military sanctions, with assets being frozen and trade being halted. The war today is costing them between 500 million and one billion dollars per day. Their economy is now inflated and strained, and many large multinational businesses, such as McDonalds, Disney, and Amazon, have left the country. They plan to increase oil and gas exports to China to sustain the war. If this comes to fruition, an ending to the war is unlikely anytime soon.
Some of my relatives remain in parts of Kyiv, and some have spent the past ten years living in Moscow. Both sides continue to face the devastating impact of this conflict, albeit in different forms. When speaking with my family members, my Russian relatives have described the devastating effects of the war on the economy and the crackdown on freedom that civilians of the country face. My cousin, uncle, and aunt, who reside in Moscow, feel as though they don’t have a voice on the issue and that Russian authorities are silencing those who do speak out about the war. Although politically and economically unstable, Russia is not in immediate danger.
Picture dated February 2022, the first month of the war. Provided by Victoria Platonov.
On the other side of the family, my Ukrainian relatives have described the dramatic grief and loss of the war. Streets are not safe due to the frequency of bomb sirens and warnings. Friends and long-time acquaintances of the family often call my parents, crying about the death of their husbands, lovers, and sons, all of whom bravely fought in the war and perished.
I spoke to a family relative, Sergei, a business owner in Ukraine who is currently staying in the U.S. Even away from Ukraine, the war weighs on him: “I can not see my friends and family in Kyiv because I can not go there without fear of being killed by a rocket or stray bullet. It’s been very hard.” He described how his clothing business is barely surviving and the economic crisis Ukraine has suffered: “Even money for basic amenities and wages is barely being earned.” He told me that a couple of employees, afraid to work because of the dangers of being bombed, have fled to Poland, causing a loss in staff.
When asked about his friends and our family, he stated, “Personally, my friends went to war. A couple of them were badly wounded… one is critically wounded. One stepped on a mine and is in the hospital.” Sergei’s friend was fleeing on foot along the frontline and stepped on a mine in a wooded area last summer. He is still alive but lives in critical condition in the hospital. Some people refuse to flee and leave their families behind; others feel guilt for leaving an unsafe environment.
The Russia-Ukraine conflict has seemingly been forgotten within the many spheres of discussion on social media; Sergei said, “Generally, the media is supportive of Ukraine, but they do not understand the depths of suffering there.” Although initially a big topic of conversation, discussions of the war have become almost silent. Social media activists and celebrities turn to the most recent travesty or political injustice rather than continuing to raise awareness for the exact causes. Misinformation against Ukraine, lack of fact-checking, and harmful conspiracy theories begin to replace factual and informative posts.
The recent conflict between Israel and Palestine is reminiscent of the war in Ukraine. Israeli air strikes on the Gaza Strip have killed countless civilians, just like the bombings in Ukraine. Both conflicts have deep historical roots, with borders disputed for several decades. Both conflicts alter global politics and economies. With Israel and Palestine, regional instability in the Middle East is perpetuated, with Israel expanding its bombing campaigns to several neighbours. In Ukraine, oil and natural gas prices fluctuate, placing gas-dependent nations like the UK in constant limbo. Even though it seems far away, the effects of these horrors can be seen everywhere.
Ireland has been accommodating to the crisis in Ukraine and Palestine. Although Ukrainian nationals must have a valid biometric passport to travel to Ireland, citizens of Ukraine do not need a Visa to travel to Ireland. State-provided accommodation is available for Ukrainian refugees with weekly payments of €38.80 for adults and €29.80 per child. Temporary protection permission allows Ukrainians to reside in Ireland for up to a year, but this has been extended until March 2025 due to the ongoing conflict. An Irish Refugee Council hosts a helpline open from Monday to Friday, aiming to provide support for Ukrainians and provide translation information. Countless charities have been set up in support of Ukraine. Even today, about twenty-nine Ukrainian refugees are arriving daily.
As of September 29th 2024, there were 109,566 beneficiaries of the Temporary Protection from Ukraine Act.
As the world grapples with the ongoing conflicts, we must remember the lives that have been lost—and continue to be lost—in Ukraine. The advocacy for peace and support remains of the utmost importance and ensures that the voices of the vulnerable and silenced are heard.
By Victoria Platonov, Features Contributor
