This article contains information about the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and contains images that may be considered triggering to some.
Hayden Dietz ~ News Editor
Almost thirty days since the beginning of the armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Russian forces have made limited advances into the country of Ukraine. Russian attacks have been mostly centered around the Ukrainian Capital, Kyiv, but recently the city of Mariupol has come to the forefront of the war as a most hotly contested city, extremely important for the Ukrainian war effort.
Mariupol is a strategic port city that links Ukraine to the black sea, and one of the last major regions left along that coast that Russia still doesn’t control. If Russia were to take Mariupol, they would have the entire South of Ukraine open to launch further offensive operations into central Ukraine, and link up with Russian military units in control of regions near Romania.
Russia went into negotiations with Ukraine over the status of Mariupol, where they offered Ukraine the ability to surrender and allow civilians to escape. Ukraine has refused these offers, as they would essentially mean capitulation and surrender.
President Joe Biden plans to travel to Poland later this week to week to warn Russia and reaffirm the American led NATO alliance. Joe Biden stated that “Putin’s back is against the wall” in preparation for his trip to Poland, which borders Ukraine and is a member of NATO. Biden earlier this week called Putin a “war criminal.”
In the Ukrainian capital city of Kyiv, which is currently hotly contested between Ukrainian and Russian forces, the suburb of Makarov was recently retaken by Ukrainian forces. Since the Russian attack began, the Suburbs of Bucha, Hostomel, and Irpin have all fallen or partially fallen to Russian control. More than ten million people have been driven from their homes in Ukraine, or a quarter of the Ukrainian population.
While this has caused massive internal disruptions in Ukraine, the majority of these people have not fled Ukraine itself.
Jeremy Johnson, a junior, stated,e that he feels Ukraine is holding on longer than he expected, but the situation seems dire.
Junior Justin Kachornvanich said, that he is concerned on how the results of the war will affect the Ukrainian people, especially if the war prolongs.
Ukrainian soldiers observe a destroyed Russian military installation.
