Boley Blog

Boley Blog: Ukraine/Russia Conflict Resources

The latest Boley Poll asked about resources you would like to see about current affairs in Ukraine and Russia. Here is a list of vetted sources for you.

The History

To better understand the present, you must understand the history. The history between Ukraine and Russia is long but the conflict has many roots in the break up of the USSR and the 2016 occupation of Crimea. These resources and lists of resources look at that history.

Understanding the Ukraine Crisis: A Comprehensive Reading List- This article features essential reading for understanding the history of the conflict. Books not found in the library's catalog can be interlibrary loaned, or you can try the Multnomah County Library branch near you. You can sign up for a library card if you don't already have one and even use your account to access OverDrive and listen to a book on your commute.

For a legal perspective on the invasion of Crimea and Ukraine's politically westward movement, India Trummer's law review article, Ukraine v. Russia: The Question of Jurisdiction and the Legal Implications of Russia's Actions in Ukraine, sets the legal stage for the current conflict with a background on the Crimean occupation.

CRS reports are reports written for the U.S. Congress as a way to bring Congress members up to speed on issues facing the U.S. This helpful CRS report is called: Ukraine: Background, Conflict with Russia, and U.S. Policy. Within this report from 2020 there is information on politics, the economy, and U.S./Ukraine Relations. CRS reports can be found and searched through ProQuest CRS Reports in the A-Z Database.

TL:DR Here's a short history of the conflict from History Extra written by noted Ukrainian historian, Serhy Yekelchyk.

News Sources

Domestic

All students, faculty, and staff have free online subscription access to the New York Times. To activate your pass follow these steps: Visit nytimesineducation.com/access-nyt/ and be sure to use your @lclark.edu email address. Follow their simple instructions to create your account. Additional information on signing up and other individual newspapers can be found in the News Research Guide.

Foreign

The Financial Times, a newspaper based in London and owned by a Japanese holding company, made all of its Ukraine coverage available for free. FT is rated "center" on its media bias by AllSides.

The Kyiv Post and the Kyiv Independent are both English language newspapers out of Kyiv. In 2021, after disputes over editorial independence, the staff of the Post was fired. That staff then created a new newspaper called the Kyiv Independent.The Kyiv Independent staff has been active on social media and has a go fund me page (information below).

The BBC News outlet has up to date coverage of the Ukrainian crisis in news and videos.

The four news outlets, United Press International, Associated Press, Reuters, and Agence France Presse, represent about 90% of the foreign news printed and published by the world's newspapers and news outlets and can be accessed for free on issues about the Ukraine conflict.

Social Media

NPR started a daily podcast called the State of Ukraine.

John Marshall, editor and publisher of Talking Points Memo, created a list of Twitter feeds to follow (below):

If you’re interested, I’ve created this list of journalists, diplomats, heads of state and commentators to follow developments in the Ukraine crisis. https://t.co/ByuyGFTpkz

— Josh Marshall (@joshtpm) February 23, 2022

The Kyiv Independent's twitter is @kyivindependent. The lightning bolt emoji is used to indicate breaking news.

Elle Magazine looks at 11 top Instagram/Twitter feeds to follow for on the ground reports out of the Ukraine. Many are journalists and write in English.

Volunteer Opportunities

The Washington Post compiled a list of places to donate money that will go directly to people in and displaced by the Ukrainian crisis.

This Oregon Live list has many local ways to support Ukraine. Portland Monthly also has a list of Portland restaurants and artists donating portions of sales to Ukrainian relief. You can also stay up to date on rallies and other ways to show support with the Bridgeliner Newsletter, including a rally at 4:00 pm on Thursday, 3/3, at the Salmon Street Springs Fountain in Portland (1000 SW Naito Pkwy).

Thinking about long term stability in Eastern Europe or maybe one of the other war torn or emerging regions of the world? The ABA's Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) implements legal reform programs in more than 50 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and Eurasia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Middle East and North Africa, that you can take part in for short periods of time or as a career.

The Fundacja Powszechnego Czytania (English: Universal Reading Foundation) is a Polish organization founded in 2018 to raise the readership of people in Poland. They are raising funds to buy books for refugee children from the Ukraine as they come into Poland. You can learn more and donate on their website.

Discussion Groups

There is a table set up in the foyer of Flanagan on main campus where you can light a candle for peace and well being in Ukraine.

Look for upcoming campus events in the campus wide calendar. The discussion on March 2nd about the Ukraine- Russia Conflict may have been recorded, so check the calendar for details.

If you have additional resources you would like added to this list, send an email to Meredith (mkostek@lclark.edu) and she will add the resource.