Did you know that over the last two years 8 million Ukrainian refugees have been driven out of their country and another 5.5 million displaced. This war, which involves the two countries Ukraine and Russia, has affected people all around the globe.

    Russia is invading Ukraine because it is important to Russia’s national security. If Russia and a Western country were at war western military troops would be allowed to pass through Ukraine before reaching Russia. If Russia had Ukraine under its control it would create a first line away from their own country allowing Russia time to fortify its defenses back in Russia. Putin was also threatened that Ukraine had tried to join NATO. If Ukraine was allowed to join then Russia would have to deal with thirty countries rather than just one.

    In Ukraine 17.7 million people need humanitarian aid and protection. Millions live without access to food, water, healthcare, education, and other essential services. According to the United Nations, almost everyone in Ukraine has been impacted by power cuts because of the country’s damaged or destroyed energy plants.

    Around 3 million acres, or 30 percent of Ukraine's protected territories, have been affected by Russian military operations. War around refineries, chemical plants, energy facilities, industrial depots, and pipelines can release chemicals that are absorbed into the environment and into groundwater. damaged and abandoned military vehicles and debris pollute the land because military equipment materials can contain toxins that further add to the pollution levels of areas impacted by war. The toxic chemicals pollute the air, the water, and the soil. In addition to toxins contaminating water, war can also  cut off water pipes and access to drinking water for lots of people. About 1.4 million people in Ukraine cannot access safe water, and 4.6 million people only have little access due to the bombings of water treatment plants and dangerous chemicals. In southern Ukraine, twenty plant species in Ukraine's grasslands are expected to disappear because of the war. Ukraine's forests are threatened by both fires and logging. During the war certain exceptions to laws led to increased logging. The loss of Ukrainian forests will further harm the Ukrainian environment.

    Ukrainian refugees are going to safety in neighboring countries. Poland has accepted the most Ukrainian refugees at 1.5 million but other countries like Hungary, Romania, Slovakia and Moldova have also accepted tens of thousands of Ukrainian refugees. Czechia is currently the country hosting the most refugees per capita in Europe, having given protection to almost half a million people.

    Many countries are sending weapons to Ukraine. They are giving things like ammunition, air defense weapons, drones and tanks. NATO Allies have provided billions of dollars worth of military equipment to Ukraine. Countries are also training Ukrainian troops to use the new equipment.