After weeks of rising tensions, Russia officially invaded Ukraine on Thursday, Feb. 24. Volodymyr Zelensky, president of Ukraine, stated in a video address that 137 Ukrainian civilians and military personnel were killed on the first day of fighting. All eyes have been on the conflict, and with so much speculation around the constant action, it can be difficult to find concrete information. Below are a few sources for accurate and unbiased information that have been compiled for easy access. 

News Sources

The Kyiv Independent

The Kyiv Independent is a Kyiv-based news source made up of journalists who work to defend editorial rights in Ukraine. It was created by over 30 former employees of the Kyiv Post in 2021 after it was shut down in an attempt to control the newsroom. They are committed to producing quality news with reliable information that is accessible to the public. Preserving this first-hand reporting is more important now than ever. You can donate to their GoFundMe and Patreon to support their efforts. 

The New York Times

As events occur and the situation progresses, the New York Times provides live updates. A timeline of the tensions between Russia and Ukraine can also be found on the website. The live updates can be seen here.

BBC

BBC offers a selection of broadcasts covering the events in Ukraine. The website is frequently updated as new information becomes available. Footage from within Ukraine can be found as well as commentary from world leaders. Broadcasts and other media coverage on the situation can be found here.

CNN

If you’re looking for quick summaries of the current events around Ukraine and Russia, CNN’s live updates are to the point and comprehensive. Here, you can find coverage on the political and personal aspects of invasion and what led up to it. You can find their coverage here.

NBC News

Accessible on YouTube and a wide array of other platforms, NBC runs a 24/7 live broadcast covering all the major current events. Events are reported on as quickly as information becomes available. The broadcast is accessible here.

How to help Ukraine 

People watching the conflict play out feel helpless to the situation. While there isn’t much that foreigners can do to offer personal help, donations do offer significant support. Luckily, there are a wide variety of funds already set up to support Ukraine. 

Sunflower of Peace

Sunflower of Peace works to supply backpacks containing medical supplies to paramedics on the front lines. In past Russian-Ukrainian conflicts, most notably between 2014-2016, the organization successfully distributed many of these packs and potentially saved hundreds of lives. Their efforts have been supported by a crowdsourced list of fundraisers compiled by Ukrainian journalists. You can donate to their fund here.

International Committee of the Red Cross

The ICRC is an international organization committed to assisting areas in need. They help provide clean water to more than 3 million people in war-torn areas. The organization is committed to offering help and support to any and all victims of armed conflict. You can donate to their Ukraine fund here.

Ukraine Humanitarian Fund

All money donated to the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund is compiled into one pot that is then allocated by local governments where it’s necessary. They readily issue money to a variety of partner organizations to distribute the funds in the places it’s needed. If you’re unsure about where to donate to help the most, this is a sure way to know that the money is going to good use. To donate and find more information, their website is here.

Voices of Children

Voices of Children is a specialized organization offering support to children who have been psychologically affected by war. They offer services such as art therapy, mobile psychologists, and further personal help. Many children who live in Ukraine have been surrounded by violence for much of their lives, and are deeply traumatized by it, and their art therapy program has proved to be successful in helping them cope. Their website features more details on the services provided as well as stories of children directly affected. You can donate here.