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The podcast discusses the historical context of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the economic impact of the conflict, the cultural consequences, and the psychological effects on Ukrainians. It also mentions the global response to the war and how Ireland is aiding Ukraine. The war has led to displacement, destruction of cultural sites, and psychological distress. The conflict has also affected global economy, trade, and cultural relations between Russia and other countries. The podcast highlights the importance of addressing mental health issues and providing support for those affected by the war. Hello everyone and welcome to our podcast. We are KBJP and we are all first-year students of critical skills in Maynooth University. I'm Kim. I'm Ben. I'm Jessica. I'm Peter. And we have decided for our podcast today to do some research into the Russian invasion of Ukraine and how it has affected the wider world and more specifically Ireland. So to start us off I'm going to pass you over to Ben and he will give you some historical context of the war. Yes so Ukraine and Russia have had a very long history spanning back to the 1700s so 300, 400 years ago give or take. So it's been pretty much just tick and tin between the two nations where you obviously have wars continuing on with them and especially to today. So when you kind of look first back into like how Russia first annexed Ukraine we have to go back to the second partition of Poland. So this partition was essentially the end of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. So this was possibly like the biggest Poland and Lithuania has ever been in this coalition empire pretty much that expanded all through Eastern Europe. And so the Prussians which are now today's Germans and the Russians closed in on the empire. They partitioned it so it basically split it up so it's set like the Prussian Empire and the Russian Empire and so of course the territory that was in the Polish- Lithuanian Commonwealth was Ukraine and that's what Russia took up first. So essentially they couldn't really do anything about it and you know it's kind of like I suppose if you take into context with Britain and Ireland like you know robbed pretty much. And so then the Russian Empire obviously grew over time and over time in the Middle East and parts of Asia and then more into Eastern Europe. Then we go into World War One and so obviously World War One was one of the most deadliest conflicts in human history. 17 million dead but more deaths were recorded on the Eastern Front and that's of course where Ukraine is obviously located in Eastern Europe. And so basically during the 1970 revolution, October Revolution, the Communists against the Tsarists where the Communists essentially ended the White Army and killed the Romanov family and turned Communist. Vladimir Lenin who was the leader of the newly founded USSR set a pact and signed a deal called the Brest-Litovsk Treaty which essentially gave all of the Western territories of Russia to Germany to puppet until the war was over. And of course Ukraine was a part of that and so it was essentially a German puppet until 1918 when Germany surrendered to the Allies and then of course it lost all of its territory breaking it down. And then after the war Ukraine was then taken back into the USSR so that was its second annexation between the two. And then of course 1939 the Second World War begins, Hitler invades Poland, takes France, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Denmark and all of Europe pretty much and tries to go for Britain but he can't so then he expands eastwards in 1941. And so again Ukraine was then under German occupation again as it was 20 years ago and the Soviets were pushed back obviously all the way to Stalingrad until that's where the Nazi I suppose onslaught was arrested and they were pushed all the way back to Berlin. And so then Ukraine was then taken back by the Soviets so third annexation technically after the Second World War was over and then of course Germany was split into four zones and then this obviously led to the Cold War and so then Ukraine was obviously it's it's very important for Ukraine to be a part like the Soviet Union because of all of its territory and agricultural kind of land it was probably the best kind of agricultural land for the USSR so it was a very it was a key asset to the Soviets. And of course they kept some of their nuclear arsenals in Ukraine in case the West started a conflict with the Soviets but then obviously you know USA and then Vietnam so then the Cold War kind of stooped down the nuclear arms I suppose kind of like drawn down so we kind of had peace from then and then in 1991 Ukraine obviously gained its independence from the Soviet Union as the Soviet Union dissolved pretty much it was nothing it just returned to dust essentially and then so it was a newly founded country independent and then of course they wanted to join the EU but then Vladimir Putin who was the Russian president even today saw this as a threat and so they told Ukraine to get rid of all the nuclear arms that they had from the Cold War times and of course Ukraine didn't really want to go to war with Russia so they kind of agreed with it, got rid of all the nuclear arms and so then I suppose this is where Russia kind of started becoming like a body to Ukraine and then obviously in 2014 you have the annexation of Crimea. Crimea was an essential key spot like especially for nations to hold like in a war because the water in Crimea doesn't freeze so it's essential for ships, warships pretty much if they want to have access into like the Mediterranean and of course in 2014 the Russians just annexed it completely illegally. Not fair to Ukraine and especially the West who saw this as a massive threat from Russia and was possibly going to spark off another war between the West and Russia and then so a lot was then kind of done about like there was like a little kind of like mini border wars in between like Eastern Ukraine and then Russia as well in like the Kyrgyzstan region, Donbass and obviously Crimea. So then now it's 2022 February Vladimir Putin announces another special three days special military operation and of course it's been going on since today and obviously clearly it wasn't three days, Ukrainians are holding off pretty strongly and definitely this conflict will definitely be in the history books for years to come. So that's kind of like a brief history between Ukraine and Russia and I suppose it's just kind of like on and off like it's one moment it's free, one it's not. So I'm going to pass the microphone now on to Jessica who will be discussing the economic side of this conflict. Hi, my name is Jessica. The belief for a while was that if global economy sanctions were declared and confiscation of assets and properties of people close to President Putin due to Russian current attack on Ukraine which caused the Russian economy and obstruct any further attack on Ukraine. However, because of this, it affected the global economy. The high oil, natural gas and food price increased just a few days into this crisis has shrunken Ireland's economy even more than before. Therefore, politicians seek other ways of living if Russia restricts its export of vital global commodities. Ukraine joined NATO in threatening Russia. This caused Russia's economy to suffer a major loss. This caused Russia's February 2022 attack on Ukraine, followed by several global financial sanctions by prominent international economic actors on Russia. More than 12 million people are estimated to have been displaced and more than 30 million need urgent humanitarian assistance. Ukraine's economy is being devastated. The trauma suffered by the population will be enduring consequences. The war triggers global ripple effects through multiple channels including commodity markets, trade, financial flows, displaced people and market confidence. Disruptions to regional supply chains and financial networks are heightened. Investors' risk perceptions will weaken regional growth. The war has markedly eroded near-term global economic prospects. If prolonged, the war could further dampen global confidence, cause global growth, worsen food insecurity and increase financial costs and the risk of financial risks in some EMTs. Mitigating the effects of the war on lives, livelihoods and economic growth will require carefully calibrated policies. A concerted effort will be needed to help refugees meet their basic needs and foster smooth integration into host communities. When the war subsides, a significant mobilization of resources will be needed to restore Ukraine. The recovery from the pandemic-induced recession decreased because of continued COVID-19 flare-ups and displaced policy support. Disruptions in Ireland's trade and investment decreased and there was an increase in price pressures if the government imposes trade restrictions to shield the economy. Trade in food economy is feeling the immediate impacts of the war. Russia and Ukraine rank among the top 7 global producers and exporters of products. Russia is also a significant buyer of fossil fuels, fertilizers and agricultural commodities. Export restrictions further reduces Ireland's supply, while import liberalization measures and subsides increased demand. The war and resulting sanctions have disrupted Russia and recurring trade connectivity, affecting the border region's organization. Russia's connection to European ports with which Ireland is a part of has been cut, and commodity exports to other destinations have been constrained. The war closed air traffic between Russia and 36 countries, affecting Ireland. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, a global cost-of-living crisis ensued, characterized by rising levels of energy and food poverty. High energy prices are spinning over into food markets, driving the fertilizer costs. These threats may also trigger cascading risks. The potential for coincident price or supply shocks further amplifies the chance. However, keeping long-term objectives still in mind, climate change must be mitigated. Governments must invest in building the long-term resilience of societies and economies over the past two years. Firstly, the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia's war in Ukraine. These might include prioritizing resource demand restrictions and system changes to improve resilience and mitigate market volatility. Over time, many countries and regions have become more reliant on imported resources as demand has increased, before markets were already tightening. This implies struggling to keep up with rising demand, short-term measures to reduce exposure to international markets and to boost resources. Independence risks heightening the vulnerability of societies and economies in the long term. The battle of war was a trigger that meant significantly increasing inflation and exacerbating the current issues of economies. The confrontation between Russia and the West has dramatically escalated. There could also be an ongoing restriction of all trade. The end date of the war in Ukraine may be essential, but also which of the trade and financial restrictions can be lifted from Russia and the West. It exasperated the impact on the economy of the COVID-19 pandemic. Companies have faced or will face a decrease in sales volume and marginality, leading to a reduction in income and an increase in costs. The companies that resume operations with a profit will find it easier to negotiate with banks to continually lend beyond certain commitments. It can be expressed that competition will increase both in the foreign and domestic markets, and because of this, marginality may decrease significantly. Therefore, to maintain and better yet strengthen their competitiveness, entrepreneurs, companies and countries need to adjust their strategies, business models and management models in such a way to be ready for an effective response to crisis. Next will be Kim talking about culture. So, the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has had significant cultural impacts, both within Ukraine and Russia and the wider world. These countries have experienced conflict for many years due to the complex historical and cultural ties between the two nations, as well as geopolitical border issues. In this part of the podcast, I will explore the several ways in which this war has affected culture in Ukraine, Russia and the rest of the world. The disputes between Russia and Ukraine have only highlighted the cultural differences between the two nations. Ukraine has struggled to define their own cultural identity for a long time, with many citizens regarding themselves distinctly different from Russians. The conflict has only spurred Ukrainians on in their search for independence and freedom from Russia. The war has led to a huge increase in cultural expression from the Ukrainian people, with an influx in appreciation of Ukrainian music, film and literature. Many people across the world are embracing their Ukrainian heritage and are proud to come from there. As a result of the combat between the two countries, it is reported that at least 109 religious sites, such as churches and monasteries, have been damaged or destroyed across the Ukraine since the war began in February 2022. Countless other cultural heritage sites have also been damaged as a result of battles, with the results being irreversible to many historic buildings, museums and historic monuments. The loss of these sites has had a significant impact on these communities as it has affected their cultural identity. Unrest has been rife throughout the world in the fallout of the Russia-Ukraine war, and thousands of Ukrainians have been forced to flee their homes in search of sanctuary in other NATO countries, such as Ireland. A study conducted in the United States questioned Ukrainian and Russian immigrants on their experiences in searching for a new life away from their home countries. Many subjects felt that they did not want to integrate with the locals and preferred to primarily mix with other immigrants. However, a large portion also wished that there was more integration between themselves and the locals. In Ireland, a great attempt has been made for the integration and to make every Ukrainian refugee feel welcome. Many groups have been formed, such as Ukrainian folk music and dance groups. Some of them even featured in St. Patrick's Day parades across the country in March. Smaller volunteer groups across the country have also tried to play their part in sending aid to Ukraine. In Sherman County, Maine, a group comprising of Garda firefighters and ordinary civilians have organized multiple trips to Ukraine to give aid, driving convoys of jeeps and large cars full of much-needed food and medical supplies across Europe to deliver to the people living on the fringes of warland. Moreover, the war has also affected cultural relations between Russia and the rest of the world. Many cultural events and exchanges have been cancelled or suspended due to the conflict, and some countries have imposed cultural sanctions on Russia in response to its actions in Ukraine. For example, in 2014, the Ukrainian government banned Russian films, TV shows and books that promoted, quote, Russian aggression. In response, Russia banned Ukrainian films and TV shows from being shown in Russia. The same can be said for international sports. In 2022, the Formula One team Haas announced that they had released their Russian driver Nikita Mazopan and his sponsor father Dmitry from the team and would have no further relationship with them, so condemning the actions of Russia in the war. Conclusively, the world has greatly sided and stood in solidarity with Ukraine during this unrest. Condemning the recent actions by Russia and many countries, including Ireland, have welcomed Ukrainians who have fled their homelands with open arms and provided them a place of sanctuary and amnesty. Now we'll pass you over to Peter, who's going to have a chat with you about the psychological impact of the war. Hello, my name is Peter, and I'm a psychology student in Maynooth, and because of this I decided that for my area of research for this podcast, I'd investigate the psychological effects of the Russian invasion on Ukraine. And I suppose there's four areas of research in this topic. They are the wider effects of the conflicts, the Ukraine-Russia war impact on mental health through social media, the effects on mental health of those who dash into danger to save others, so the first responders to the conflicts, to the fires, to the damage done to the country, and finally how Ireland are helping Ukraine in this ongoing conflict. So, anxiety hasn't spread throughout homes and workplaces because of Russia's unwarranted attack on Ukraine. It's massively endangered psychological safety and security of Ukrainians. Ongoing exposure to the real-time bombing of homes and buildings in Ukraine and the ongoing massacre of innocent civilians has had a devastating effect on people's mental health globally, not just in Europe or in Ukraine. Russia's aggressive war on the independent nation of Ukraine has shocked the entire globe. It's obviously very upsetting to see how the invasion is affecting people's lives and livelihoods right away, but it's also going to cause psychological harm that's going to last for generations and generations. War-affected civilians are more likely to experience mental health problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD for short, anxiety and depression. Ukraine has been the subject of intense interest worldwide, of course, as well. Because of the horror, anxiety and suffering they're experiencing, Ukrainians' mental health must be suffering. The mental health and general well-being of Ukrainians may be impacted by a variety of factors. The current situation may worsen mental health conditions that already exist for Ukrainians. The war is going to cause a wide range of different feelings, sensations and challenges for both those who are directly experiencing the conflict, the crisis, and those who are watching it from a distance, like us here in Ireland. Children and teenagers are, as well as the demographic are, feeling the devastating effects of being involved in the battle. As Russian tanks and the army advance through Ukraine, millions of youngsters are being exposed to the horrific realities of war. These realities being ground troops, tanks, rockets, explosives, destroyed homes, destroyed buildings, apartments, schools, supermarkets, wounded residents and desperate evacuation attempts literally happening right outside their front door. Children in Ukraine will be directly affected by these unnecessary and wasteful and unethical conflicts, which will have a severe psychological impact on them. The psychological effects of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia may be so severe that it's crucial to talk about them now, while the Ukrainian people are of course still recovering from the immediate impact and the immediate trauma of the war. Regardless of their age and gender, the conflict has proved to trigger recurrent episodes in almost everyone, according to psychiatric and psychological studies that were carried out in Europe. One of the most common adverse effects is anxiety disorders, and these are closely followed by depression and post-traumatic stress disorders. So the first real topic is the Ukraine-Russia war, the impact it's had through social media. Obviously nowadays with modern technology everybody has a phone, everybody has access to Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, YouTube. There's been horrific videos and images shared. And images and videos of buildings and bodies are devastated by the shelling in cities, people huddled in shelters, Ukrainian citizens sobbing as they call their loved ones just to say goodbye just in case. They are very unsettling to everyone searching for information around the world. According to studies, viewers' mental health may be impacted by news coverage of these tragic occurrences, with footage and pictures from Ukraine spreading on social media, and one of the big factors of this is the misinformation that seems to be in abundance. This has implications for mental health on a global scale. The next area of research that I delved into was the effects on the mental health of those who are the first responders to the conflicts in Ukraine. So the worst effects of the war are also going to be experienced first-hand. They're going to be experienced by paramedics, the police, firefighters, soldiers, dispatchers. And while they share the worries of civilians with their own families, they're also being put into long hours of physical and mental labour and are frequently exposed to scenes of suffering and death. In times of peace, studies show that 15-20% of firefighters and other first responders get PTSD. It might worsen the effects of their traumatic experience on their mental health. Olena Zelenska, I apologise for that dodgy pronunciation, she's the First Lady of Ukraine. She brought up the psychological stress that Ukrainians are going through because of the conflict in their country in her speech to the 75th World Health Assembly. During the three months that Kharkiv was being shelved, residents had been living underground in the subway stations. But she describes how they were unable to, and I quote, psychologically bring themselves to rise up and leave the shelter just to go back to their homes out of pure fear of the Russians. So in war and other regions, the current state of mental health in Ukraine is representative of other areas impacted by protracted conflicts and violence. People in the past who have been exposed to war or other forms of conflict within the past 10 years are more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. Approximately 22% of people who experience one of these. Getting these figures from Ukraine to the WHO, or World Health Organisation, predicts that roughly 9.6 million individuals there may suffer from a mental health disorder. Making sure the right resources are available right away in complex catastrophes will promote the recovery and redevelopment of affected areas, while addressing a wide variety of people's pre-existing and new psychosocial and mental health needs. The WHO and the Ministry of Health rallied the efforts of 14 partners to scale up the Mental Health Gap Action Programme, or the MHGAP for short. Their activities across the nation recognition that primary healthcare providers are the first point of contact in Ukraine's healthcare system, and as one of the WHO's special initiatives for mental health countries. These initiatives are an important means of expanding care for those who suffer from mental, neurological and substance use illnesses as well as their families. Since 2019, the WHO and partners have trained more than 700 primary healthcare workers using the WHO's MHGAP Intervention Guide, and its Humanitarian Emergencies Edition to be able to recognise and respond to common mental health conditions. These are of course taking place in Ireland as well. To further scale up capacity building efforts, the WHO have also trained approximately 120 healthcare workers in Ireland to provide training enabling greater outreach. As a result of these efforts, over 10% of Ukraine's primary healthcare staff is due to receive MHGAP training by the end of 2023, which will of course massively affect how the sufferers of the conflict in Ukraine will be able to recover. The WHO is also working with local stakeholders to launch an online, self-paced, adaptive version of the training. This is going to aim to reach up to 50,000 primary healthcare workers across the country and across Europe. So finally, how Ireland are helping. We all know that Ireland, they've been very good to Ukraine so far in providing humanitarian aid. They've taken in a lot of migrants and they've set up a lot of accommodation and hotels for Ukrainians to move into. So try and settle down and start a new life. They've been welcomed into all primary schools and secondary schools, GAA clubs, soccer clubs, rugby clubs. And with Ireland welcoming these refugees, this has prompted the PSI to set up a resources section which aims to provide assistance to those seeking refuge and who have been affected by the war. The PSI Special Interest Group in Humanitarian Rights and Psychology, or the SIGHRP for short, has produced a rapid response psychology tool to aid the public's assistance to Ukrainian refugees arriving in Ireland. The SIGHRP has also produced a psychological first aid, PFA, and critical resources document for those who assist and work with refugees and displaced persons. The National Educational and Psychological Service, the NEPS, has developed resources to support children and young people in a time of war. And they've also developed resources to support the well-being of children from Ukraine in schools. Both of these resources can be accessed via the gov.ie website. So that's just kind of a brief introduction to what's to be expected from the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the psychological effects of it. I want to thank Jessica, Kim and Ben for the work they've done for this podcast. I hope you've learned a lot from this or taken a small bit from it. And most importantly, I hope you've enjoyed listening to it just as much as we've enjoyed preparing this for you. Thanks a lot for listening.