What’s been going on in Ukraine?
R.I.P My DJI Mavic Drone
It has been over one year since Russian troops entered Ukraine on February 24th, 2022, and combat has reduced to trench warfare and urban combat. Drones have also taken center stage in this conflict, with a combination of civilian and military drones entering the foray. The Russian army is attempting to break this stalemate, sending more troops and equipment into combat, especially in Bakhmut, where both sides struggle to take control. Pictures from the area are reminiscent of scenes in All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque.
Western countries have continued to pledge military and economic support for Ukraine, with the United States sending nearly $50 Billion in aid. This has prompted the Kremlin to consider this an act of NATO aggression, threatening to escalate the war even further. In response, President Joe Biden made a surprise visit to the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, reaffirming his support for the sovereignty of Ukraine. This marks the first time a modern U.S. President has visited an active war zone without a significant U.S. Military presence. The conflict has not only affected military personnel but also civilians.
The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has recorded almost 19,000 civilian casualties but believes that actual figures may be even higher. The OHCHR has also noted that there has been a high-intensity and worsening trend of medical and educational facilities being damaged. These incidents and continued civilian casualties have been linked to the use of indiscriminate artillery fire and other area weapon systems.
