The Russia Invasion Of Ukraine

The Russia Invasion Of Ukraine

Since February of 2014, the Russia Ukraine war continues to devastate. On February 24, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered over 200,000 Russian soldiers into Ukrainian territory in an attempt to overthrow Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv and restore Russian influence into the country. 

With new developments and updates on Ukraine and Russia’s war released, the world continues to keep its eyes on the seemingly neverending battle. In his article, The Russia–Ukraine war has entered a new phase, Dr. Nigel Gould Davis, a Senior Fellow for Russia and Eurasia, expands on the recent policy decisions made by America, Europe, and China, and the additional effects they employ. Gould – Davies explains, “Trump’s return to the White House in January 2025 raised Kremlin hopes of a quick end to the war, but despite the Alaska summit in August, Russia has failed to achieve this… Europe is stepping up, agreeing at the June NATO summit to spend 5% of GDP on defence and pushing new sanctions, while planning a €140 billion reparation loan to Ukraine from frozen Russian assets…” Gould – Davies explores the opposing views- such as the previously unwavering support of Ukraine from the United States of America, Russia facing long-term military and economic pressures, China showing its support towards Russia, and Russia’s domestic strain. 

Incomparable to any other war in history, the Ukraine Russia war introduced a way of fighting and earned the title of “the world’s first drone war.” According to The New York Times, with drones as the first course of attack, “Russia has targeted electricity and heating infrastructure in an effort to weaken Ukrainians’ will to continue fighting.” The most recent drone attack by Russia occurred on October 3, 2025. This attack fired drones and missiles into power plants and electrical infrastructure in Kiev, shutting down power throughout the city, along with several other cities within the surrounding area that relied on the same power plant and infrastructure. From October 21 through the 22nd, Russia launched 450 drones and over thirty missiles, injuring over 20 people and killing an innocent child in Zaporizhzhia. Despite the barrage of attacks on Ukraine, the country refuses to back down and accept defeat. In the first weeks of October 2025, Ukraine sent an overnight drone and missile attack, setting fire to a major oil depot in Crimea. Russia reportedly struggles to function in affected areas and lacks specific supplies such as gas. 

Attacks continue to impact citizens all throughout both countries and leave a significant economic strain on both the Russian and Ukrainian governments. Aside from the constant fear, injuries, and physical and mental consequences of war both Russian and Ukrainian citizens experience, Russia faces constant problems of inflation, government repression, sanctions, and a tightening labor market as a result of the economy shifting focus to military and wartime support. Ukrainian citizens constantly struggle to find basic supplies such as water and electricity; the lack of necessary supplies contributed to the millions who fled the country along with others who  face displacement. As both global economies feel the impact of the war, many countries continue to send financial and humanitarian aid. The Government Accountability Office, shares in the United States “congress has appropriated more than $174 billion to assist Ukraine…” along with the European Commission’s allocation of “€40 million in humanitarian aid to Ukraine.” Despite many nations refusing to aid Russia in its attempts to invade Ukraine, China knowingly supports Russia in their efforts and sources reveal China supplying Russia’s arms industry. 

On Friday, October 17, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited President Donald Trump in Washington D.C. at the White House to discuss aspects pertaining to the future of the war such as shifts in U.S. policy, bipartisan support, and weapon sales. After years of support from the United States, President Trump shocked many by revoking this previously unwavering support and encouraging Ukraine to give up territory in order to reach peace between the nations. According to CNBC, Trump warned Zelensky Russia planned to “destroy” Ukraine if they did not agree to the peace deal of “handing over the entire eastern territory of Donbas, the epicenter of ongoing fighting in Ukraine.” Trump’s urge to give up on Ukraine’s fight to freedom and Zelensky’s refusal immediately caused anger from both sides. Trump’s urge to give up on Ukraine’s fight to freedom and Zelensky’s refusal immediately caused anger from both sides. CNN reports a “shouting match” highlighted by Trump “cursing all of the time.”Despite claims that the meeting escalated so drastically, Trump reports a “cordial” meeting where they negotiated a peace deal for the nations. After the meeting Zelensky remains adamant that Ukraine will win the war and their freedom from Russia despite Trump pushing the peace deal Russia proposed. 

Following the meeting between Trump and Zelensky, Trump and Putin scheduled a meeting to discuss peace plans. Despite these plans, the meeting never occurred. CNN reports Trump beginning to lose patience with his Russian counterparts due to a lack of action towards true peace. Currently, “Russian President Vladimir Putin shrugged off the potential effects of US sanctions on Russia’s two largest oil companies, saying that they will not have much of an impact on the Russian economy.” Following the reports of new sanctions and presidential meetings, the world continues to watch the progression of the war with wonder and concern.