Page 8 - The Inprovoked War: Russia's Invasion of Ukraine

a special military operation. “The purpose of this operation is to
protect people who . . . have been facing humiliation and geno-
cide perpetrated by the Kiev [Kyiv] regime. To this end, we will
seek to demilitarize and denazify Ukraine.” 1

Fierce Opposition
Russia is the largest nation in Eastern Europe, with a population of
145 million and military troops numbering 850,000. Russia’s su-
perior weapons and nuclear capability make it one of the world’s
most formidable military powers. In contrast, Ukraine’s popula-
tion is about 43 million; its military has about 200,000 active-duty
personnel.
Russia’s invasion has caused immense suf-
fering throughout Ukraine. Russian tanks and
“We are going to fi ght for troops have assaulted Ukrainian cities, caus-
our land. We have to pro-
tect the people we love ing thousands of civilian casualties, including
and the land we live on. people tortured and murdered. Cruise missiles
I hope for the best, but I and cluster bombs have hit apartment build-
do what I can to protect ings, schools, hospitals, and shopping cen-
my land.” 2
ters, adding to the civilian death toll. Millions of
— Territorial Defense Forces Ukrainians have fl ed to neighboring countries
volunteer Yaryna Arieva
in hopes of avoiding the advancing Russian
forces. Though at fi rst it seemed to the world
that Putin would enjoy a swift and decisive vic-
tory, that has not happened. Ukraine has mounted a formidable
defense thanks to its courageous people and their young and
fearless president.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, elected president of Ukraine in 2019 at
the age of forty-one, rejected pleas to leave the country for his own
safety. Instead, he has become a symbol of Ukrainian resistance.
Zelenskyy’s nightly speeches, which are posted on social media,
have rallied the Ukrainian people and exposed the lies spread by
Putin’s constant disinformation efforts. He has called on his citi-
zens to oppose the invasion and has entreated other nations to
supply Ukraine with military equipment and monetary aid.

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