Ukraine conflict: What we know about the invasion
We are currently in the midst of a major world event happening in Eastern Europe: the Ukraine invasion by Russian military forces on the orders of Vladimir Putin. In a televised speech last night, “Mr Putin announced a ‘military operation’ in Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region” (BBC News) and explained Russia’s intervening as “self-defence” in order to “de-Nazify” the country (BBC News). Since then, Ukrainians across the country have been hearing loud bangs, taking cover, and fearing for their lives.
When I first heard about the Ukrainian crisis, I thought back to our reading this week from Krause and Eiran, “How Human Boundaries Become State Borders.” Krause and Eiran focus on radical flank groups bringing about change in territorial disputes by Bottom-Up means. In a Bottom-Up approach, “construction and inhabitance […] by radical flank members precede state presence and authorization” (Krause & Eiran, 2018, p.485), resulting in a change in borders and control due to the state recognizing it needs to now protect the new settlement. I see something similar happening in the eastern part of Ukraine, where “Since 2014, Russian-backed separatists and Ukraine’s armed forces have been fighting a war in the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk in which more than 14,000 people have died” (BBC News). The Russian separatists are a radical flank group using a Bottom-Up approach to gain territory. With his announcement last night, “President Putin has now recognised the two regions held by the Russian-backed separatists as independent states and ordered Russian troops there, tearing up a peace deal” (BBC News). Russia is now seeing these radical flank group settlements as part of the Russian state and is making moves to “protect” them, resulting in a declaration of war on Ukraine. As Krause and Eiran state, “Violence and territorial control have always gone hand in hand” (Krause & Eiran, 2018, p.479). We are seeing this statement coming to life in Ukraine.
References:
Krause, P. & Eiran, E. (2018). How Human Boundaries Become State Borders: Radical Flanks
and Territorial Control in the Modern Era. Comparative Politics, 50(4), 479-499.
Ukraine conflict: What we know about the invasion. (2022, February 24). BBC News. Retrieved
February 24, 2022, from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60504334
Hi Gabriella, I have thought so much about the horrific stories behind migration, with the current news surrounding the Ukraine. I reminds me of all the horror that took place in El Salvador, and how so many men, women and children found themselves in horrific circumstances. “A bloodbath took place in the context of El Salvador’s civil war of 1980-92, which ultimately killed more than 75,000 people – with the vast majority of atrocities perpetrated by the right-wing state in collaboration with paramilitary outfits and death squads,” resulting in the horrific attacks on the country’s people, and the murdering of journalists and priests (Fernandez, Belen, December 11, 2021). I am presently reminded how many people are forced to flee their home countries for safety. We see this happening now, as the Ukrainian people are trying to find safety for their loved ones, families and pets. The migrant story is almost always one of fleeing for safety and for a chance of a better life. I wish all people understood this as they see it happening right now with current events. Unfortunately, it seems that much too often, the lives of the people fleeing are only important if that country has substantial resources to offer other countries. This is evident in the unfortunate and negative ways many view the migration of people from the south to north.
It is heartbreaking to witness what is happening with the attempted annexation of Ukraine. I think the question everyone should ask themselves if what if that was me or us? It’s so easy to dismiss refugees as someone else’s problem.