By Amy Kohli
What’s happening In Ukraine now is grim, to say the least.
In my opinion, Putin is protecting his sphere of influence and has grounds to implement a buffer zone in Eastern Ukraine. This is barely a political comment or a politically defined comment.
It is an act of authoritarian sanctioned war crimes disguised as enthusiasm. Russia has shelled out in Ukraine, imposing a (non-lethal albeit consequential) fire on an adjacent nuclear facility Europe’s largest power plant, Zaporizhian, is now under the command of Russian forces, restricting communications with the outside world.
A Ukrainian nuclear power plant regulator is cited as stating “Ukraine reports that any action of plant management – including measures related to the technical operation of the six reactor units – requires prior approval by the Russian commander,” the International Atomic Energy Association (IAEA) said in a statement. “In a second serious development, Ukraine has reported that the Russian forces at the site have switched off some mobile networks and the internet so that reliable information from the site cannot be obtained through the normal channels of communication,” it stated.
This is not just a a political and imperial crisis, it is also a humanitarian one, where Putin is conspiring to diminish the morale of the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, as well as his chamber and constituents. Although The fire was quickly extinguished and there was no damage to reactors or release of radioactive material, the incident raised concerns about the potentially catastrophic consequences should the conflict damage one of the country’s four operating nuclear power plants.
According to the IAEA, Ukraine has reported that the Russian forces at the site have switched off some mobile networks and the internet so that reliable information from the site cannot be obtained through the normal channels of communication. Russia Preventing phones from being used to make important calls, along with preventing access to escape routes are just some ways the citizens of Ukraine’s lives and communities are being targeted and put into dire risk.
What we are witnessing is a call to action from the west. We need to reject the “America first” notions of neutrality and isolationism. We must and take measures to stop purchasing and ban Russian oil as an act of solidarity with the Ukraine and Ukrainian Army. We can defend and aid the Ukraine by lessening economic relations and blocking any funds we may be contributing to Russia’s war efforts.
Keeping yourself informed educating others on ways to help out is just one way to advocate for Ukrainians. Check the sources below for more information.
Sources:
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/3/3/russians-lay-siege-to-mariupol-as-conflict-intensifies