Uncertainty dominates RV student perspectives on conflict in Ukraine

So far, the Russian invasion of Ukraine has allegedly led to the deaths of over 2,000 Ukrainian civilians, a million refugees fleeing the country and much more statistics of suffering. NATO (the North Atlantic Treaty Organization) members have all condemned the invasion and have put brutal economic sanctions on Russia. These sanctions have cut off the Russian economy from the rest of the world and have made the Russian Ruble largely worthless. Anti-war protests have erupted all over Russia and the world. Many point to the notion that the world hasn’t been this close to a world war in decades.

Most students at RV are aware of the conflict and are watching news coverage about the invasion. Many students defend Ukrainians arming themselves to defend their homeland, and many believe that Putin’s invasion of the country was without warrant.

 ”I think Ukraine is in the right,” said junior Brianna Mascali. “Russia is just attacking them because they want to form an alliance with other countries that will protect them.”

“I feel like NATO should get involved [militarily]” said sophomore Ryan Trojanowsky. Junior Anjali Darji agreed, and noted that it should intervene, perhaps through sending troops of weapons.

Other students demonstrated uncertainty about larger-scale military involvement.

Junior Nyla Tanim was unsure, and said that if Biden sent troops, it could “cause something more what we are doing within only Russia. I don’t want that happen over here.”

To complicate matters, the recent capturing of a nuclear site in southern Ukraine has raised the alarm of some students. Some believe that Putin would be the type of leader to demonstrate strength through nuclear arms.

“Where does [Putin] want to go [after Ukraine]?” asked Mascali. “Does he want to attack more countries?”

Mascali pointed to similarities between the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the German invasion of Poland in 1939, which began WWII.

After invading Poland, “Hitler continued on, and everyone looked away until it became a problem,” said Mascali. 

Despite differences in perspectives, most students and teachers have taken the time to educate themselves on the conflict and continue to watch the news coming out of eastern Europe.