Ask HN: What can we do on what's happening at Ukraine?

[codedeadlock]

I have seen lot of social media buzz to attract the eyeballs, mostly these are sensitive videos of blasts, praising how Ukrainian president is going on front lines, and then lot of thoughts and prayers kind of stuff. I have never seen things like this work in past in bringing a meaningful change.

What can we actually do to help at individual level when our country leaders have failed?

[khyryk]

https://www.npr.org/2022/02/25/1082992947/ukraine-support-he...

Donate money to charities that would be operating in and around Ukraine, helping the displaced refugees now and cleaning up the mess after the war is over. Think about the fact that while you live in comfort, many people are sleeping in subway stations, unsure of whether they will have a home to come back to, unsure of whether their relatives are okay. You have the opportunity to at least say in the future "I did more than simply spectate while nursing my fragile feelings."

Lobby your politicians by expressing your support for the current sanctions as well as stronger sanctions. Support sending lethal military aid to Ukraine as fast as possible -- a month from now may very well be too late to make a difference. The Ukrainian military is actually accepting direct donations, but I can't say whether they can be put to use in time.

[sharken]

If you live near the Ukrainian borders, then you can help refugees who are seeking shelter, though i hope that the bordering countries is organizing right now.

Military aid as an individual makes no sense and going to Ukraine to fight a superpower will have very little effect.

Then i suppose you can send money to help Ukraine, though i have no links to any good support channels.

My own help at the individual level is raising awareness of what is going on, and trying to influence those who are in charge.

Disinformation is very much a problem in raising awareness, you want to make sure you are promoting a true story and not a made-up one.

Some good examples of this can be found here: https://www.bellingcat.com/news/2022/02/23/documenting-and-d...

[Bostonian]

Tell your political leaders that you favor sanctions against Russia and arming Ukraine. Putin will retreat only if the pain inflicted on Russia threatens his hold on power.

[Tepix]

Right. The german government is delaying the SWIFT ban of Russia. I'm sure they have good reasons (don't want people to freeze for example). But if there is enough public pressure, the ban will happen. During yesterday's peace protests in Germany, this process has already begun.

[shivun]

Russians have mostly android phones, so they have emails. gmail, yandex, mail.ru. It is easy to find the most common Russian first and family names. Throw away emails are everywhere. Would it be feasible tactic to send thousands of email to penetrate the Russian censorship? Russians need to know and kick Putin out. At least everyone can do it.

[RedXIII]

you're supposed to be using this war to sell patriotism. nobody actually cares about what happens to the ukraine. they just don't want russia to improve it's global position.

[Bostonian]

Nobody contemplates attacking a nuclear power such as Russia. I want to Russia to improve its global position be deposing Putin, withdrawing from Ukraine, and compensating Ukraine for the casualties and destruction. Then sanctions against Russia can be lifted and it can be a normal country.

[RedXIII]

don't patronize me with your false morality. you're all fucking liars. who needs 1984 propoganda when the average idiot flocks to the war drums like a fly to honey.

[shivun]

Only global position Russia has is nuclear weapons. Also attacking other countries is not improving global position any more than attacking a person with such statement. At least soviets had some innovations. A failed country that China will buy now that all that is left is cheap.

[wara23arish]

thank you there’s been god knows how many wars and rebellions incited the last decade with ALL superpowers responsible. false morality indeed

[bicx]

Nice try, Putin