On Feb. 20, 2014, Russia started tensions with Ukraine over the region of Crimea, as it was internationally recognized as a part of Ukraine, but was technically deemed a republic at the time. Although, the Republic was under Ukrainian authority while being independent. 

Tensions between the two countries stayed at a high level from that day, until it finally boiled over. Eight years later, on Feb. 24, 2022, Russia escalated the war by launching a mass invasion in Ukraine. The surprising attack was launched in the city of Kyiv, and other cities such as Odessa, Kharkiv and Mariupol. These unprecedented strikes caught Ukraine off-guard, and the country was backed into a corner. After a small number of weeks, Ukraine began receiving military assistance from Australia, Canada and the United States as these countries sent small supplies of heavy weaponry and extra ammunition. As the war has extended into more months with more deadly battles, larger amounts of military and financial support were being sent out to Ukraine. 

On Sept. 30, 2022, Russia annexed the territories of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson. Even though Russian President Vladimir Putin made this risky move, essentially none of the regions that were annexed were under Russian control. 

“I think it sets a dangerous precedent for one nation to be able to claim territory from another simply because they claim they have the right to,” history teacher Nathan Langelli said. 

“What’s to stop any other nation from doing the same thing? It could also embolden the annexing country to take more and more, and on that slippery slope, when would it end?” 

On Oct. 8, 2022, the Kerch Bridge, which is an essential connection from Crimea to Russia, was hit by a missile strike from Ukraine. In retaliation to the bridge strike, Russia has ramped up their missile strikes on Ukrainian cities and civilians. The rest of the world’s nations were already on high alert due to the war, the fear has risen with the sudden “disappearance” of nuclear torpedo armed submarine Belgorod. This submarine has torpedoes known as “The Poseidon,” which are recorded as the most dangerous nuclear torpedoes known to this day. 

“Personally I can not imagine what the people of Ukraine are going through right now. Russia’s main goal with Ukraine is to gain power (territory) that was lost from the USSR (Union of Soviet Socialists Republics),” senior Ethan Geibel said.

 “Ukraine is the prime defense for attacks against NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization). I don’t blame Russia for going against Ukraine, but the way that they are doing so is very unethical.” 

The war continues to rage on with heavy blows from both countries, as more sanctions are being placed and the stalemate continues.