The War that Will Impact Generations

The War that Will Impact Generations

Abigale Giordano

Staff Writer

Almost a decade after its illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014, on February 22, 2022, Russia escalated a war that will impact generations of Ukrainians. The ongoing conflict is impacting those most vulnerable to the turmoil: Ukrainian children. Not only have millions of children been displaced and orphaned, but the already small population of Ukrainian youth has taken a severe hit to generational stability and growth. This war is one that will take Ukraine generations to recover from, if even possible at this point. 

Over the past two years, there have been thousands of civilian casualties and injuries, millions displaced, and hundreds of medical and educational institutions destroyed in Ukraine. A United Nations article reports that UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk claims “The long-term impact of this war in Ukraine will be felt for generations,” because of the destruction Ukraine has endured. The International Organization for Migration reported that 14.6 million people–over a third of the Ukrainian population–remain in need of humanitarian aid, with 2.2 million refugees needing assistance in neighboring countries. Globally, there are 6.5 million Ukrainian refugees as a result of Russia’s invasion. The International Organization for Migration has supported millions in the country and across eleven neighboring countries, providing critical and life-saving aid to those most in need. The IOM prioritizes recovery efforts in Ukraine by providing housing and health services. By forming infrastructure, the IOM aims to help the general population, given the circumstances they must live in.

Since the escalation of the war, a generation of children has experienced violence and tragedy. According to a United Nations Children’s Fund article, “There is not a single aspect of children’s lives that the conflict has not impacted, with children killed, injured, forced from their homes, missing out on critical education and denied the benefits of a safe and secure environment.” Many have been killed or injured, and have lost family, friends and access to educational and recreational activities. The economic crisis in Ukraine, triggered by families losing income due to the war, has devastated their well-being, UNICEF reports. A UNICEF analysis on the impact of the economic crisis on Ukrainian families suggests the amount of children living in poverty has almost doubled since the war started. UNICEF research also indicates that “An estimated 1.5 million children are at risk of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder…with potential long-term effects and implications.” Not only is the physical well-being of children endangered, but their mental well-being as well. Georgetown University highlights that over 7 million children have been affected by Russia’s siege on Ukraine. Tens of thousands of Ukrainian children have been separated from their families and forcibly transferred to Russian-occupied territories. The Georgetown University article spreads awareness to the fact “Many of these children have been transferred to ‘camps’ and other facilities, where Russian officials have said they are ‘integrated’ and receive ‘patriotic education,’” and devastatingly, less than 2% of those abducted have been returned. 

Save the Children emphasizes that “Every war is a war against children…Children must be protected from harm at all times.” They do so through the story of four-year-olds Oleh and Olena. Despite their age, as natives of Dnipro, eastern Ukraine, they hide in shelters daily while Russia carries out air raids. Their teachers, to ensure a quick evacuation have created playful fire drills: “During alarms, they turn on loud music and dress up as fantasy creatures to reduce stress on children,” Save the Children reports. These raids last hours.

Additionally, the youth in Ukraine remains threatened at large. In April of this year, the Associated Press reported that Ukraine lowered its draft age from 27 to 25. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed three bills into law, aiming to maintain Ukraine’s front lines. Ukraine’s front is weakened, as fighting has detrimentally impacted Ukraine’s ranks and stores of weapons and ammunition. The new laws expand Ukraine’s army by approximately 50,000 troops. This expansion was a result of Zelenskyy’s belief that Russia is preparing to mobilize hundreds of thousands of additional troops. Associated Press further cites that “The average soldier’s age on both sides is over 40,” and “Ukrainians worry that lowering the minimum conscription age to 25 and taking more young adults out of the workforce could backfire by further harming the war-ravaged economy, which is why the draft age wasn’t simply set at 18.” As more youthful Ukrainians are sent to war, and families face loss as a result of economic, educational, and health devastation, the escalation of Russia’s war in Ukraine is one that will impact generations of Ukrainians. Will the refugees return? Will forcibly displaced children be reunited with their families? Will the economy and infrastructural institutions recover? As of right now, the future for Ukraine is a dark one that will take generations to rebound.

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