And LGBTQ+ Ukrainians fear increased repression from Russia, citing the country’s ban on gay marriage and anti LGBTQ+ “propaganda” law. Black Ukrainians have been faced with racism and xenophobia at the borders from Ukrainian border patrol, who are pushing so-called Ukrainian-first policies. The growing crisis has also called attention to the fact that marginalized refugees face particular challenges that those who are more privileged don’t. The ongoing military operation, which has already resulted in thousands of civilian and military casualties, has produced a massive refugee crisis that has driven roughly half a million civilians out of Ukraine as of Monday, according to the United Nations.
Social media has been flooded with support for the people of Ukraine since Russian forces invaded the sovereign eastern European nation last week.