Russia’s war in Ukraine has now reached the 500-day mark, a somber milestone for a conflict that shows no signs of ending.
Although the fighting has mostly resulted in a stalemate, Ukraine’s government and its Western allies are hopeful that a recent broad counteroffensive will shift the battle lines and reclaim Russian-occupied territories.
Meanwhile, the war continues to have devastating consequences on the lives and livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of people, and the stakes are only getting higher.
The United Nations has reported the deaths of 9,000 civilians, including over 500 children, in the ongoing conflict. However, the actual toll may be much higher.
A month ago, a major dam under Russian control in southern Ukraine collapsed, causing a toxic flood that resulted in death, destruction, and long-term environmental damage.
Fears of a potential nuclear disaster have escalated, especially this week, as Ukraine and Russia have accused each other of planning to attack one of the world’s largest nuclear power plants.
An incident involving a Russian mercenary leader attempting a mutiny has brought chaos to Moscow and exposed weaknesses in Russia’s military leadership, further escalating the situation.
Peace talks seem distant as both sides strive to strengthen their positions. Ukraine’s forces are attempting to regain as much territory as possible, while Russia is determined to hold onto the illegally annexed regions.
Source from www.aljazeera.com