What is happening in

Ukraine?

Student Health & Human Services

Office of Human Relations, Diversity & Equity 
April 2022
 Welcome
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SOMETHING
Objectives

Learn about what has been happening in

Ukraine. 

Discuss the complex history between Ukraine

and Russia.

Reflect on what it means to be a refugee.

Reflection

What do you already know

about the Russian invasion
of Ukraine?
 February 24, 2022

• Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February 2022.

• The attack is internationally considered an act of

aggression.

• The invasion triggered Europe's largest refugee crisis

since World War II. 
• More than 4 million Ukrainians have left the country
• Millions more have been internally displaced.
But, why? 
Reflection

What stood out for you in

that video? 
 The Soviet Union / (USSR)
(1922-1991)

• The Soviet Union was once a

socialist nation that included
Russia, Ukraine and 13
other states.

• The USSR was the largest

country in the world at the time

• Over 130 languages existed in the

USSR. 
 Independence Movements

• In the 1980's, Mikhail Gorbachev came into

power, introducing freedom and reforms. 

• Independence movements began and by 1991 the

USSR had completely devolved.

• New president, Vladimir Putin called the end of

the Soviet Union the "greatest geopolitical
catastrophe of the 20th century" and has been
trying to gain control of the region ever since. 
 Russia has been especially concerned about
Ukraine joining NATO and the European
Union.

Ukraine shares many cultural similarities

with Russia 

• Especially in the southern and eastern region which are

Russian speaking. 

Putin argues that Ukraine unfairly inherited

historic parts of Russia during the demise of
the Soviet Union.
Putin & Ukraine
 What happened
in 2014?

• In 2014 Russia annexed Crimea,

and supported forces to take
control of the eastern region
(Donbass) of Ukraine.  

• Ukraine wants to keep

its independence.
 December 2021

• Russia sends troops to the

Ukrainian/Russian border.

• Russian president, Vladimir Putin

releases an article asserting that
Russians and Ukrainians are "one
people".  
February 2022

• Russia sends troops to "breakaway" regions of

Ukraine (located in Donbass) to "keep the peace". 

• Soon after, Russia launches a full-scale invasion of

Ukraine. 

• The invasion was swiftly condemned around the

world, and within Russia. 
 Human Lives Disrupted
As of March 30, 2022...

Over 4million people have fled Ukraine since the Russian troops invaded. 
• The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees indicates that at least half of the refugees from Ukraine
are children. 
• Refugees are traveling to Poland, Romania, Moldova and Hungary, primarily. 

There are estimates that 6.5 million people have been displaced within Ukraine.

More than 12 million people are stranded in areas that are under attack.
War Crimes
• The International Criminal Court has
already begun investigating Russian war
crimes. 

• Reports of the deliberate killing of civilians

in Bucha, a town on the outskirts of Kyiv,
and other nearby areas violate international
treaties outlined in the Geneva Convention.

• The Geneva Convention dictates

that civilians cannot be deliberately
attacked. 
Check Out

Who do you talk to about current

events/the news?
Visit the HRDE Webpage for Additional Resources

Click Here for Human Relations Homepage!

Click Her for additional resources on the ciris in Ukraine!
Teacher
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