Is this the beginning of World War Three? Something people have been dreading for years, possibly the start of WWIII. Announced around 5:55 Moscow time Putin stated his plan for his quote-on-quote, military operation” in Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region. As of February 24, 2022, Vladimir Putin (President of Russia) has invaded Ukraine intending to take over. Volodymyr Zelensky (Ukraine’s president) was ready to fight back by sending out Ukrainian troops to fight off this invasion; but will it be enough?

Putin’s goal is to take over the capital city (Kyiv) of Ukraine, but it hasn’t been as easy as he had originally thought. Russia began with mostly airstrikes. They have started invading with ground equipment such as armored cars and tanks. Yet Ukraine has taken some hard hits that are not going down without a fight. They have taken down 5 planes, and a helicopter, while they are still fighting back with ground forces. As for the Ukrainian citizens, they are doing everything they can to either fight back or take shelter. Some of them are trying to escape, and others have taken cover in nearby bunkers, basements, and summer homes. Close to 352 Ukrainian civilians and military personnel have died so far, and also nearly 4,000 Russian soldiers have died. These numbers aren’t yet confirmed. 

How will this conflict begin to affect other countries? Let alone this worldwide pandemic that we are just now getting out of this new conflict could have significant effects that we haven’t seen already. We have already seen some astonishing energy prices ratcheting up for the first time since 2014. As multiple countries specifically the United States set up sanctions to put a hold on Russian banks, and their ability to trade in dollars. Although this war has stayed between Ukraine and Russia it is affecting us in negative ways. 

Vladimir Putin has his warheads on high alert, along with threatening many countries, such as Ukraine and the United States of America, with bomb threats. This war has quickly taken global dimensions although the war hasn’t yet been seen throughout many countries besides those surrounding Russia. In Putin’s incendiary harangue announcing the invasion last week, Putin warned, “Whoever tries to interfere with us, should know that Russia’s response will be immediate and will lead you to such consequences as you have never expected in your history.” He mentions that Russia is one of the most powerful nuclear countries in the world and extensive damage should be expected if any country (part of NATO or not) tries to interfere. We just have to hope that his plans do not extend to surrounding NATO countries or we could be at the brink of World War three.