Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24 following a months-long period of moving troops to the border of the two countries.
The active warfare now happening in Ukraine follows a period in which Russia stationed roughly 200,000 troops along the border between the two countries.
Ukraine’s State Emergency Service has said that since fighting began, more than 2,000 civilians have been killed.
Experts across the globe warn that the conflict currently confined to Ukraine could spread and become a world war.
Katherine Fitch, a master’s student in international studies, is working on a thesis centered around Ukraine.
“I am deeply saddened, angry, and a lot of other emotions, with the current invasion and conflict in Ukraine,” Fitch said.
In 2016 Fitch joined the Peace Corps and was stationed in Western Ukraine for four years.
“Peace Corps is normally a two-year term, I am a unique volunteer in that I stayed two more years,” Fitch said.
In three of her four years in Ukraine, she was based in Lviv. In her final year she moved to the town of Dnipro.
Dnipro is located in Eastern Ukraine, the current site of the majority of the fighting.
Dnipro has yet to experience any shelling from the Russians and has become a common place for Ukrainians from cities already engrossed in conflict to move to for protection.
Fitch says the people she knows residing in Dnipro are preparing, as it is only a matter of time before the Russians are there.
“I have been in contact with all of my friends in Ukraine. They are still resolute: ‘we will win,’” Fitch said.
This strong mindset does not mean they are not “completely terrified” Fitch said.
Reports early Friday morning show that the Russian convoy now sits roughly 15 miles outside of Ukraine’s capital city of Kyiv.
According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies, Russia spent nearly 10 times ($45.8 billion) the amount on their military in 2021 compared to Ukraine ($4.7 billion).
Russia also boasts 900,000 active military personnel, with 2 million in reserve, compared to Ukraine with 196,000 active and 900,000 in reserve.
At this time, Ukraine is set to receive support from various sources, including the United Kingdom and the United States of America.
The Biden administration has recently asked Congress to approve $10 billion in aid to Ukraine, an increase of almost $4 billion since the conflict initially started.
“You should care, we are an international community,” Fitch said of why the conflict in Europe is of concern to students.
“Do you want to be able to travel this summer? Do you want to be able to afford different things? and if you don’t care and you don’t act and you don’t participate, and you don’t call your representatives, we are prolonging the war.”
Fitch has recommended contacting your representative or visiting supportukrainenow.org and standwithukraine.how.
