Introduction
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine started in 2014 after the annexation of Crimea Russia. The Russian Federation fully annexed the region after the Crimeans voted to join the Russian Federation in a disputed local referendum. Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, cited that it was necessary to safeguard the rights of Russian citizens and speakers in southeastern Ukraine and Crimea. The Russo-Ukrainian War continues after Russia recently invaded Ukraine and launched a full-scale invasion on 24 February 2022. The war is mainly because of the territorial dispute between the two countries. Vladimir Putin claimed that the main objective of the invasion was to demilitarize and de-Nazify Ukraine and to protect people from the bullying and genocide by the Ukrainian government. The paper addresses the tools and military equipment used in the Russia and Ukraine conflict, its impact on society, different reactions from governments regarding the dispute, and some recommendations for addressing the war.
Instruments Used in the Conflict
Instruments Used by Russia
Russia has used Caliber (Kalibr) cruise missiles and warplanes to hit facilities throughout Ukrainian territory. The Kalibr is a precision weapon that targets Ukrainian government buildings and military facilities (Chaturvedi, 2022). Warplanes also carry missiles that are used to target military infrastructure. Several residential towers have been destroyed as a result of these attacks (Chaturvedi, 2022). The Russian Army has also used the 9K720 Iskander missiles to hit critical targets as far as 500 kilometers accurately (Chaturvedi, 2022). They carry powerful warheads that can destroy some fortified facilities and significant buildings.
The Russian military has used powerful Soviet-designed artillery units such as Acacia self-propelled howitzers, 152-mm Hyacinth, and self-propelled 203-mm Peony (Chaturvedi, 2022). The TOS-1A heavy flamethrower system, a multiple rocket launcher mounted on a tank’s undercarriage, is used. Artillery rockets with thermobaric warheads as used for firing unguided missiles. Kinzhal (Dagger) missiles are hypersonic missiles that can travel for over 2000 kilometers at a speed five times that of sound and are eight meters long (Chaturvedi, 2022). Thermobaric bombs, which are some of the most brutal weapons to exist, have been used by Russia and have resulted in the significant destruction of critical structures within Ukrainian cities.
Instruments Used by Ukraine
Russia is facing stiff resistance from the Ukrainian Army due to the weapons provided by foreign countries, especially the West and USA. The Russian artillery and tanks have received severe damage from these weapons. Javelin missiles used by the Ukrainian Army are believed to be guiding themselves to the target after launch, giving the gunner time to reload and cover to avoid counterfire. One person can launch them up to 4.5km away (Chaturvedi, 2022). It is effective in destroying low-flying aircraft, other military vehicles, or buildings. Shoulder-launched Stinger anti-aircraft missiles provided by the Lithuanian military have been a success as Ukrainian officials have claimed they caused heavy casualties to the invaders (Chaturvedi, 2022). The Bayraktar TB2 drone supplied by Turkey before the onset of the war, which can remain airborne for 27 hours, is also used. Small anti-vehicle weapons such as the Roketsan MAM-L are carried and can destroy targets by following a laser, gliding eight kilometers before impact.
The Next Generation Light Anti-Tank Weapon (NLAW), which weighs 12.5 kilograms, is portable and can be used by a single operator, and is also effective in war in destroying targets within a short distance. It is effective at ranges less than 800 meters and can damage a heavy-protected modern battle tank. The armor-piercing warhead it ejects can do that destruction with only one single shot. Russia has found it hard to have air superiority over Ukraine because of the presence of the Stinger Surface-to-Air Missile supplied by the West (Chaturvedi, 2022). Many Russian helicopters have been destroyed with this weapon, given its eight-kilometer range. Ukraine also uses warplanes in the ongoing war to restore airspace superiority and counter the Russian Federation’s ground forces.
The Conflict’s Impact on Society and its Legal and Ethical Implications
The conflict has caused a severe blow to the entire global market as the two countries are known to be significant commodities producers. Over two million Ukrainians have fled the country, while thousands have lost their lives. Additionally, houses have been destroyed, and means of livelihood disrupted, causing one of the greatest humanitarian crises since World War II (Chumachenko & Chumachenko, 2022). Food security is an issue brought about by the crisis, especially for countries depending mainly on exports from this region. The energy source is becoming a problem, given that Russia is the major supplier of oil to the West. Russia’s natural gas and oil are essential energy sources for the West. Consequently, fuel prices have increased globally given the high demand and low source since Russia is sanctioned, and the Western countries have vowed not to buy any more Russian products. The vulnerable find it hard to cope with the high living standards, which directly consequences the conflict.
The war in Ukraine, which started when Russia invaded Ukraine, is regarded as wrong and goes against the United Nations Charter and international law, which states that countries should not invade others. Ukraine, a sovereign nation, got invaded on 24 February 2022 by Russia, which directly conflicts with the UN Charter (Shepherd, 2022). This agreement guides the work of the United Nations and the 193 member states. The invasion by Russia is regarded as illegal and lacks any justification. Putin argues that the move to invade Ukraine was because the nation was moving closer to the Western countries and increasing its cooperation with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Ukraine joining NATO would push the military alliance towards Russia, making them vulnerable, hence the need to prevent that. The war raises more questions on how governments can achieve peace.
Reactions to the Conflict
Various governments worldwide, especially the United States and those from Europe, have acted against the conflict by imposing sanctions on all financial institutions from Russia, business leaders, and Russian officials as an economic countermeasure. The sanctions prevent Russia from exporting or importing commodities to some countries (Chumachenko & Chumachenko, 2022). Given the sanctions’ effect, food prices have risen, causing the Russian rouble to fall. The implication of these sanctions aims to crush the Russian economy and force them to stop the invasion of Ukraine. Another economic measure is the freezing of assets of sanctioned companies and individuals within the countries’ jurisdiction facilitating them. Millions of dollars belonging to Russian officials and business billionaires have been frozen worldwide.
Another countermeasure imposed is the provision of lethal weapons to Ukraine so that the nation can prevent itself against the aggressor. Countries like the USA have provided weapons worth millions of dollars, such as Javelin missiles. Several countries make contributions to NATO’s Trust Fund for Ukraine for the acquisition of non-military equipment such as medical supplies and food (Das, 2022). Countries are allowing individual volunteering fighters to travel to Ukraine and support them in protecting their country.
Policy Recommendations
A conflict resolution policy is recommended to the Russian government to prevent more loss of life. The approach would result in a cease-fire first to pave the way for peaceful negotiations or evacuations of civilians. Conflict resolution is essential here as it enables the two parties to come together and find a long-lasting solution to the disagreement causing the war, thus saving lives and preventing the destruction of more property (Zaliska et al., 2022). There is no loser or winner in war since both parties suffer significant losses, hence the need for the Russian government to implement it as it is the aggressor. The emergency management policy is recommended to the Ukrainian government for it to be able to respond to the disasters brought about by the war effectively. It is fruitful in countering the sudden emergency that has erupted from the illegal invasion. The Ukrainian government stipulates how its citizens will respond to a sudden disaster through an emergency management policy. It includes organizing evacuations or hosting citizens in underground bomb shelters to prevent them from shelling.
Conclusion
The conflict has drastically affected the world’s economy since the two held a significant part. Russia is accused of invading a sovereign nation without provocation, doing its acts to be illegal, and against international laws. The war has had tremendous consequences on the people of Ukraine; millions got displaced while thousands are dead. The destruction of the property left many homeless and lacking essential medical care services. Both countries are using sophisticated weapons as they aim to achieve their objectives. Ukraine is being helped with military and non-military equipment as it engages in the war. Several countries have imposed sanctions and restrictions against Russia and some top officials in the government to punish them for their illegal invasion of Ukraine. The conflict is not representative of a 4th generation warfare since it involves states. There is a formal structure and hierarchical authority which the president heads as the commander of the armed forces, making it lack the characteristics of fourth-generation warfare.
References
Chaturvedi, A. (2022). Weapons used by russia and how Ukraine is countering them. NDTV.com.
Chumachenko, D., & Chumachenko, T. (2022). Ukraine war: The humanitarian crisis in Kharkiv. BMJ, 1-6.
Das, T. (2022). Russia-Ukraine War: Trust and distrust.SSRN Electronic Journal, 1-7.
Shepherd, A. (2022). Ukraine invasion: Hope of new life in the tragedy of war. BMJ, 1-6.
Wise, J. (2022). Ukraine invasion: Agencies warn of a humanitarian catastrophe in Europe. BMJ, 1-12.
Zaliska, O., Oleshchuk, O., Forman, R., & Mossialos, E. (2022). Health impacts of the Russian invasion in Ukraine: Need for global health action.The Lancet, 1-9.