The Status of Russia and Ukraine’s Longstanding War

BY ZACH HOLBROOK '25 & RIAN JOSEPH '25

Ukraine’s highly-anticipated (and long-delayed) counteroffensive began in early June of 2023. By utilizing much-needed Western tanks, weapons, and rocket systems, Ukraine has managed to reclaim an estimated 300 square kilometers of land. As the war drags on, both Russia and Ukraine have suffered heavy losses, and therefore have begun to move into less humane and more demanding tactics to conserve manpower. For example, in one of Ukraine's most recent counterattacks, drones armed with explosives were used to strike Russian landing ships in the Black Sea. While the attack was a valiant attempt by Ukraine to weaken Russia and regain some of its territory, the increased conflict in the Black Sea has had grave consequences. 

In early July, Russia pulled out of a year-old grain deal that had ensured safe Ukrainian grain exports from the Black Sea. This withdrawal is expected to have a devastating impact on the Ukrainian economy as well as countries relying on Ukrainian grain. According to the International Rescue Committee (IRC), the collapse of the grain deal will “hit those on the brink of starvation the most.” Shashwat Saraf, an IRC representative from East Africa, says that, “with approximately 80% of East Africa’s grain being exported from Russia and Ukraine, over 50 million people across East Africa are facing hunger, and food prices have shot up by nearly 40% this year.” Even before the deal fell through, East Africa was suffering immensely due to extreme droughts and flooding that caused supply shortages. As a result, further suffering is imminent for parts of the world depending on the grain.

​While a significant portion of the world has been negatively impacting other countries, the war has also been taking an incredible toll on Ukrainian civilians. Russia has been systematically launching attacks toward Ukrainian schools, energy infrastructure, medical facilities, and civilian vehicles. Due to the strenuous conditions in Ukraine—depleting supplies, persistent fear of attack, and unhealthy conditions—a mass emigration movement is occurring. However, as air travel is closed off, railways are constantly being bombarded, and driving is dangerous, the process is difficult. Recently, Russian officials have targeted mass numbers of Ukrainians fleeing battlegrounds for “filtration,” where officials interrogate and collect personal information and biometric data from refugees. Many civilians subject to filtration have been forcibly transferred to Russian territory. According to the U.S. Department of State, “Russia’s forces and proxies have interrogated, detained, and forcibly deported Ukrainians, according to a broad range of sources, between 900,000 and 1.6 million Ukrainian citizens, including thousands of children.” While Russia has been keen to seize as many Ukrainian citizens as possible, it has also been attempting to minimize Ukrainian morale.

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