Europe hasn’t seen the size of the current Russian invasion of Ukraine since World War II.
An estimated 150,000 Russian soldiers are either in Ukraine or are poised to enter, and Russian forces have had some success in blockading the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv as of Friday morning. Emporia State Professor of Social Sciences, Sociology and Criminology Chris Lovett tells KVOE News Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s intent to invade Ukraine started becoming evident last summer, although the invasion actually has its roots in 2014 when former Ukraine leader Viktor Yanukovych was removed from office in the Ukrainian Revolution. Lovett says Putin has long wanted to revive a Soviet-style empire.
Even with President Joe Biden announcing stiff economic sanctions, NATO apparently isn’t ready to go as far with a retribution plan as the United States is, with the US considering the removal of Russia from the SWIFT banking system — a step that would make it almost impossible for banks to send money in or out of Russia.
There has already been an economic impact here at home. Local gas prices shot up 20 cents this week and have been as high as $3.45, while wheat futures and other commodities have skyrocketed and stock markets have plummeted. Lovett says some Kansas gas and oil wells that had been inactive have started pumping again.
Experts believe Kyiv could fall by the weekend. US officials believe the Russian invasion is designed to “decapitate” the Ukrainian government.
