Two years since a war began

By Anastasia Kim

Saturday, Feb. 24, marked two years since a significant war began. Amidst various global tragedies and conflicts, it’s possible to lose track of which war is being referred to. Specifically, this is about the Russian government’s full-scale war against the sovereign state of Ukraine, which began on Feb. 24, 2022.

Despite our advancements in economics and technology, and efforts to cultivate humanism and empathy, this war has shown that 20th century-style conflicts can still erupt in Europe in the 21st century.

This war has deeply affected many, including myself. Thousands, both Ukrainians and Russians, have lost their lives, friends, and loved ones. Millions of Ukrainians have been displaced, and hundreds of thousands of Russians, including myself, have left our country. A huge number of Russians who remained and opposed the war have had to go into internal immigration, isolating themselves from the grief around them.

In the spring of 2022, my volunteering experience brought me into contact with many Ukrainian refugees. This was a profound experience, revealing the presence of compassionate individuals and contradicting the narrative that those opposing the war are a minority. It was a reminder that we are not alone even in dark times.

This war’s impact extends beyond Ukraine and Russia. Being in America, one might feel detached, but it’s vital not to succumb to this feeling. Almost everyone is likely connected to someone affected by the conflict. We must remain empathetic and engaged, no matter how long the struggle continues.

A particularly personal and tragic event for many Russians was the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in prison on Feb. 16. Navalny symbolized hope for many, including myself. His death was a significant loss for many Russian people. I believe that the murder of Alexei Navalny is a tragedy for all of Russia, both for those who supported him and for those who were against him, since he was a representation of an alternative strategy for the development of the country. And thus, his murder is the destruction of this discussion about different ways of developing the country. This leads to a primitivization of the political process and eventual stagnation.

Responding to a question about what should be done if he were killed, Navalny said: “Here I just have an obvious thing: don’t give up. Don’t, don’t give up. If this [death] happened, it means that we are unusually strong at this moment, since they decided to kill me. We need to use this strength: not give up, remember that we are a huge force that is under the yoke of these bad dudes only because we cannot realize how strong we really are. All that is needed for the triumph of evil is the inaction of good people. Therefore, there is no need to remain idle.”

As we pass the two-year mark of this war, it’s essential not to lose sight of these principles. It’s crucial not to give up and not to forget. Feb. 24, 2024, two years of war.

Author’s Note: This semester, my friend, Veronika, who originally is from Belarus, and I founded the Slavic Culture Club, which emphasizes cultural harmony, promoting ideas of peace and mutual coexistence. As a part of our newly formed community, CMU Slavic (Ukrainian, Belarusian, Polish, and Russian) and non-Slavic students decided to come together to paint the CMU fence, symbolizing solidarity and remembrance with Ukraine.