Research Guides: The War in Ukraine: Current Events

Understanding Current Events

On this page you will find recommendations for articles and more to help you understand current events happening today in Ukraine.

"The Roots of the Ukraine War: How the Crisis Developed" in The New York Times
Librarian recommended!
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is the biggest military mobilization in Europe since World War II. Here’s a guide to how it came about, and what’s at stake for Russia, the U.S. and NATO.
You have full access to NYTimes Online provided by UWGB Libraries. Visit the research help page of this guide to connect with a librarian for assistance.

This video provides a basic understanding of today's current conflict’s history in less than 10 minutes.

"The Environmental Threat of Russia’s Nord Stream 2 Pipeline" by Michael J. Corsl in Origins
Corsi discusses the environmental threats Russia poses through its energy production. 2/27/21
Putin's war, China and the Euro-Dollar trap" by Adam Tooze
Tooze addresses how will the confrontation in Ukraine affect the global balance? Specifically, how might it shift the balance between the US and China.3/7/22

"The Devastation of Kharkiv, Ukraine" from Masha Gessen in The New Yorker
Russian attacks have terrorized the civilian population in the Ukrainian city. 3/22/22

"The Autocrats are Winning" from Anne Applebaum in The Atlantic
Applebaum examines the regression of democracy and prevalence of autocracy in the 21st century. It describes the strategies employed by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to repress mass demonstrations after presidential candidate Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya allegedly won the election in 2020. From the December 2021 Issue.
"The Reason Putin Would Risk War" from Anne Applebaum in The Atlantic
Applebaum argues Putin is threatening to invade Ukraine because he wants democracy to fail-not just in that country. 2/3/2022.
"Why the West's Diplomacy With Russia Keeps Failing" from Anne Applebaum in The Atlantic
Applebaum argues American and European leaders' profound lack of imagination has brought the world to the brink of war. 2/12/22
"The Crushing Loss of Hope in Ukraine" from Masha Gessen in The New Yorker
Putin has declared that history is destiny, and that Ukraine will never get away from Russia. 2/23/22
"'Z' Is the Symbol of the New Russian Politics of Aggression" from Masha Gessen in The New Yorker.
In the days following the latest Russian invasion of Ukraine, the letter came to stand for devotion to the state, murderous rage, and unchecked power. 3/7/22
"Seize the Oligarchs’ Wealth" from Faith Hillis in The Atlantic
Hillis discusses how a crackdown on the Russian elite could help the situation in Ukraine and offer solutions to broader social problems. 2/26/22

"How Putin Wants Russians to See the War in Ukraine" from Masha Gessen in The New Yorker
Even if his hold on power is precarious, he can still convince Russians that the whole world is conspiring against them. Learn about attitudes about Ukraine inside Russia. 3/1/22.
"The War That Russians Do Not See" from Masha Gessen in The New Yorker
A majority of people in Russia get their news from state television, which depicts their country not as the aggressor in Ukraine but as a victim of the West. 3/4/22.
"‘Yes, He Would’: Fiona Hill on Putin and Nukes" from Maura Reynolds in Politico
Putin is trying to take down the entire world order, the veteran Russia watcher said in an interview. But there are ways even ordinary Americans can fight back. 2/28/22

What the Ukraine-Russia Crisis Says about the Global Struggle for Democracy from the World Class Podcast
Former prime minister of Ukraine Oleksiy Honcharuk joins Michael McFaul on the World Class Podcast to analyze Russia's aggression towards Ukraine and how it fits into Vladamir Putin's bigger strategy to undermine democracy globally.
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January 7, 2022
The New York Times "The Ezra Klein Show" on Ukraine
Find podcast episodes related to the war in Ukraine. You have full access to NYTimes Online provided by UWGB Libraries. Visit the research help page of this guide to connect with a librarian for assistance.
Russia’s Intentions in Ukraine—and America
An interview with Timothy Synder From The New Yorker Radio Hour .