America's Involvement in the Russian Invasion of Ukraine

Paratroopers assigned to 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division prepare equipment and load aircraft bound for the U.S. Central Command area of operations from Fort Bragg, N.C. on January 4, 2020. (U.S. Army/Spc. Hubert Delany III)

As someone who has been fully invested into the United States Military and recently committing to play Rugby at Army West Point, the past few weeks I have been following the Russian-Ukraine conflict closely.

The world has seen the unity from the nation of Ukraine and the people willing to put their lives up for their land. America continues to become more divided across the country, but this crisis shows the power of unity.

Knowing that someday I want to be an Army Ranger and fully involved in America's future conflicts, it is very important to me to pay attention to our foreign affairs.

My thoughts: The world has seen 2 million Ukrainian refugees flee their homeland as others stay behind and thousands around the world volunteer to defend Ukraine against the Russian invasion. The people in Ukraine have repeatedly asked for assistance, and I think it’s time the United States answers the call.

I firmly believe that America has the strongest military and is capable of extraordinary power if fully released upon an opponent.

According to the Statista Research Department, 800 Ukrainian civilians have died since the February 24th invasion, and 1200 have been injured, although the numbers are thought to be higher. From 2014 to 2021, over 3000 Ukraine citizens have been reported dead due to conflicts involving Russia. NPR reports that over 2 million refugees have fled Ukraine since the 2022 Russian invasion. Ukraine’s call for military supplies has been answered by most NATO countries, along with the US sending 350million in weapons and the EU sending 502million in lethal weapons. But weapons are not enough as Ukrainian cities are bombed leaving hospitals and stores all closed and badly damaged.

Russian President Vladmir Putin during a press conference in Moscow 2022.

However, on the opposing side I understand that there is a fear that war with Russia will lead to World War 3 and or nuclear war. Also, that we have domestic issues in America that need to be fixed before we involve ourselves with another war. Or that the war in Afghanistan was a failed operation and we need to learn from that first.

Although nuclear war is possible if the United States gets involved, the power of the NATO allies and America will take care of that. I understand that there are issues in America such as homelessness, inflation and that we need to decrease military spending. Our military spending has allowed us to get an advantage among all other countries, and I believe it’s time to put it into action. We have given billions of dollars’ worth of equipment to our allies and more since the invasion.

If we involve ourselves to stop Russian aggression, and defend Ukraine and Europe, it will not be another failed mission like Afghanistan if we put our full support and abilities toward the war.

Russia has been an enemy of the United States since after World War 2, and their leaders have been oppressing their neighboring countries. Russia has committed war crimes and forced their soldiers to fight brutal and not wanted war. According to many sources but in specific CFR says the War Crimes include destruction and bombing property and areas full of citizens. Over 70 hospitals have been shelled by Russian forces and now schools are being targeted leaving many innocent civilians trapped.

Enough is enough. How many more people will have to suffer and how much more supplies and money will we throw at Ukrainian people to avoid real conflict?

Americans like myself are feeling the struggles of energy prices, inflation, and a strong divide across the country. No country is perfect, but unity among the people is important.  Just as Ukraine citizens rallied behind their land and defended what they loved, the United States needs to do the same thing to become one again and move forward defending freedom and spreading advancements.