RUSSIAN INVASION 2022

➡️ RUSSIAN INVASION of Ukraine

This must-have peace resource on the 2022 Russian invasion of ➡️ Ukraine provides over 10,000 links on this imperialist war, which is not only unjustifiable, but is also illegal under international law.

Find peace voices, expert analysis, and extensive information regarding the resulting refugee crisis, economic impacts, grain and fertiliser shortages, NATO involvement, human rights issues including Russian repression, conscientious objection and protests, massive weapons exports into Ukraine, and how you can help.

Under essential viewing you can learn all about peace proposals and the role the U.S. and NATO have played in escalating tensions. Check out our top reading picks, and analysis section to further your understanding of this complex and long-lasting political and military stand-off.

There is an inspiring section devoted to voices for peace and reason, alternative solutions, peace negotiations, and in-depth geopolitical and military analyses. Learn about the international peace organisations who are working hard to find a peaceful resolution to the fighting.

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How is the Conflict Between Russia and NATO Evolving?

Relations between Ukraine, Russia, and NATO have been entangled for decades. NATO Eastern expansion, support for Ukraine sovereignty, and posturing from all sides merely ignited old sparks. Learn more about the recent NATO applications by Finland and Sweden.

In late 2021, U.S. President Biden refused to respect Putin's 'red lines' on Ukraine by denying security assurances regarding his concerns surrounding NATO, thus 'provoking' Putin's illegal invasion of Ukraine on February 24. Then, at the Madrid 2022 summit in June, NATO added pressure on member countries to commit to a minimum 2% GDP on defense spending. The Russian invasion has since turbo-charged NATO's military expenditure. 7 countries have consequently increased their military budgets, even countries once considered neutral.

The U.S. alone has pumped well over $175 billion into Ukraine in the form of weapons, equipment, training, intelligence and security assistance, and they are certainly not alone in their rampant military support. Ukraine in total has received about $278 billion in aid from around the world. This type of ‘aid’ helps Ukraine to defend itself, but also aims to weaken Russia decisively in a kind of 'proxy war'. It serves to make the conflict more deadly, longer, and is a huge distraction from possible diplomatic solutions.

Of note, exactly zero of this funding effort was committed to talks, peacebuilding efforts and negotiations.

Today, Western mainstream media dominated by the U.S. and NATO narrative, place Putin and Russia firmly as the enemy while critical voices are silenced. Russian media has become even more heavily censored, and all sides have committed to a confrontational approach - jumping directly to military 'solutions'.

What is the Current Situation in Ukraine?

After two full years of fighting, estimates put the total civilian death toll of the Russian invasion at just over 30,000, thousands more have been injured. This doesn’t include the number of medics, activists, and soldiers who have also lost their lives. Infrastructural damage inflicted by the war has resulted in a rebuild cost of more than 1 TRILLION Euros.

Civilians, as always, are the biggest losers, as we witness yet again destruction by giant war machines, and the humanitarian crisis that inevitably follows.

Almost 8 million refugees have been created as a direct result of Putin's invasion. In addition, there are 6.5 million displaced persons in Ukraine. This of course has resulted in unimaginable suffering, and human rights organisations have expressed concerns for a serious risk of genocide. 14.6 million people are in dire need of humanitarian assistance.

For the Ukrainians who stayed, 10 million are without electricity or heating, and face harsh temperatures of below zero in winter.

Learn about the many ways you can help and international solidarity which has aided millions in finding shelter, provided medical assistance, and humanitarian support.

108,000 allegations of war crimes by Russian and Ukrainian forces are currently being investigated as deliberate attacks on civilians and vital infrastructure persist. The discovery of mass graves, use of illegal weaponry, and human rights issues regarding prisoners of war on both sides are of grave concern.

What is the Current Situation in Russia?

Repression within Russia has been an ongoing theme since the beginning of Putin’s brutal invasion of Ukraine. Russia’s war on information has led to the closure of independent media outlets, anti-war protesters are being persecuted, and peace activists are being jailed, stripped of their citizenship, and forced to flee the country.

Since the start of the Ukraine war, 900,000 Russian citizens have left the country in fear of forced military service and breaching strict laws that were introduced regarding the publishing of ‘fake’ information. 2,000 people have been charged as a result, potential 15-year prison sentences await journalists, politicians, and anti-war advocates who speak out against the invasion.

Learn more about the human rights situation in Russia including internet censorship and NGO gag laws. Find an excellent collection of Russian conscientious objection groups who say no to military service on moral or religious grounds.

As of May 2024, Ukraine has been able to recapture 54 percent of Russian occupied territory, they still occupy 18 percent of the country. Ukraine’s counteroffensive efforts have however slowed, and Russia has upped its stronghold in the east. Ukrainian cities endure daily bombardment and its ports remain blocked. Drone attacks by Ukraine on Russian ships and infrastructure have helped Ukraine maintain military pressure.

Global Implications of the Ukraine War

The war in Ukraine is having severe global ramifications. Harsh Western sanctions have transformed the Russian and the global economy. Bans on Russian gas and oil imports have failed to stop the war, and have dramatically forced up the cost of energy in Europe and around the world.

Nuclear posturing, attacks at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, and the Nord Stream Pipelines Sabotage have put not only Ukraine, but the whole of Europe on high alert of disaster.

Coupled with issues surrounding inflation, grain and fertiliser shortages, and the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, countries are being crippled under a global food and cost of living crisis.

Due to severe droughts - some of the worst in 40 years, many African countries have become dangerously reliant on imported grains. With unaffordable food prices, and worsened conditions due to climate change, an unprecedented wave of hunger has swept across many parts of the world.

The Russo-Ukrainian War has intensified human suffering far beyond its borders and Western energy sanctions have also slowed the fight against climate change.

How can we Achieve Peace in Ukraine?

So-far peace talks have failed from both sides. Hopes which arose after the Istanbul negotiations in late March 2022 were dashed after Ukraine withdrew from the negotiation table after the intervention of Boris Johnson on behalf of the US Government. Russian president Putin repeatedly confirmed, as recently as February 8, 2024 in the Tucker Carlson interview, that he is open to continue negotiations on the basis of the Istanbul agreement. Sadly, the majority of international support and funding has not only helped Ukraine to defend itself, but also contributed to further prolong this brutal war of attrition.

Dozens of countries at the so called International Summit for Peace in Switzerland agreed on June 2024 that Ukraine should enter dialogue with Russia and discuss terms on ending the war. A declaration was created to ensure the territorial integrity of both states, a full exchange of prisoners of war, a total avoidance of nuclear disaster, a focus on ensuring food security, and the safe return of deported children.

The document was supported by 82 delegations, with the exception of India, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Thailand, Indonesia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates. Reasons cited were Russia's absence from the talks, and the presence of Israel.

In June 2024 Putin laid out his terms for peace which included a complete and immediate ceasefire following the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the South and East, and reassurance that Ukraine will not be joining Nato.

Better World Info aims to inform citizens and amplify peace voices during this conflict. With this incredible resource they fight the spread of disinformation, ignorance, and propaganda. It is an excellent tool for campaigners, protesters, and NGOs.

Unions, mindful politicians, citizens, and voters can all use this educational tool to inform themselves and spread the demand for de-escalation and diplomacy. Unfortunately, peace work remains massively underfunded, whilst military budgets bloat and line the pockets of multi-millionaire war profiteers.

This central information platform is an essential tool for peace activists, and serves as a knowledge hub for global issues in general.

Better World Info invites you to be part of a peace first approach, where open dialogue is given a chance, where enemies are not created to justify the build-up and use of more weapons, and where armament companies do not profit from conflicts and the destruction of lives and entire countries.

As an open platform, we welcome Ukraine experts and peace activists to share their knowledge and help spread the word for a better world.

Finally, this excellent guide is also available in German at Bessere Welt Info. For a German language version of the Ukraine Conflict resource with over 4,000 links, you can check out the equally informative categories Russische Invasion and Ukraine.

Author: Rachael Mellor, 21.02.23 licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0 updated 01.07.24

Further reading on the Russian Invasion see below ⬇️