As this blog is diary-like in form, some of it may be a little hazy on exact dates. Since this occurrence was so world-shaking I checked out the dates. Early on in January or perhaps even earlier Russia had been assembling what appeared to be a huge preparation for an invasion of Ukraine on the Russian border. Putin insisted he was only setting up a defense exercise that he had no intentions of invading his neighbor. NATO and American intelligence noted that there were hospital and backup structures to back up a real invasion. Satellite images showed numerous tanks and military vehicles parked in a neat row after row. Predictions by military experts began predicting when the operation might begin. Much of the world was in disbelief including the prime minister of Ukraine, who reminded the world that much of Ukraine spoke Russian and had family ties with Russia. A number of years previously Putin had tried a smaller incursion into southern Ukraine and failed. Follows a description I borrowed so as to have the date exact.
"Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February 2022. The attack is internationally considered a war of aggression. It has triggered Europe's largest refugee crisis since World War II, with over 3.8 million Ukrainians leaving the country, and millions more being internally displaced.'''
A horrible war began, something which normal people never imagined could happen again. Narratives suggest that Putin thought that his lightning-fast penetration would be welcomed with open arms by the Ukrainian populace. It wasn't. The Russian troops were repelled in many places. What was supposed to be over in 3 days dragged out. It appeared the Russian military was not well trained nor supplied with the necessary equipment. The Ukrainians fought back fiercely. The Russians began to shell and bomb the civilian populations in their dwellings, their hospitals, and schools. It was similar to the Nazi blitzkrieg of World War II. The Ukrainian Prime minister remained with his people. He and his family are prime targets for assassination. He has become a knight in shining armor, guiding and encouraging his nation to repel the evil dreams of conquest by Putin. Several times Putin has threatened atomic retaliation and that has been rejected by rational people on all sides.
Now the struggle appears to have reached a stalemate. Millions in Ukraine have become refugees. Poland has received a million. America has agreed to fast tract a hundred thousand. Many Ukrainian cities have been bombed into rubble. Half of its children have left the country. As the world slowly recovers from Covid it must now confront the evil that derives from the ambitions of powerful rulers. War is a greater threat to mankind than a microscopic virus. Lord have mercy!!
