The U.S. Involvement in Ukraine and Refugees in Florida - Continuing Series: R News in Ukraine

UKRAINE – The Greatest Generation; those who lived during the great depression and World War II, are nearing the end of their journey. Most who served in the last great war have already passed away, but their stories live on in hundreds of documentaries, movies, news reels, books, and magazines.

At the tap of our fingers, we can view images of carpet-bombed villages, bodies lying in streets, mass graves, and of course the horrors men, women and children being ushered into furnaces and gas chambers.

Not long after WWII ended, the United States engaged in two Southeast Asian conflicts. Nearly 3 million civilians died during the short three-year conflict between North and South Korea. During the fall of Saigon, thousands of Vietnamese refugees fled the communist nation to make a new life in America. Now, Koreans and Vietnamese make up a large demographic in the United States, thanks to our intervention.

Following Korea and Vietnam, the United States sent men and women to the Middle East and Afghanistan, where countless lives were lost over religious disputes, oil, and other political interests.

What does all this have to do with Ukraine? Well, as the world knows, they have been invaded by Russian forces at the direction of Vladimir Putin, leaving thousands of dead and displaced civilians.

According to UNICEF (United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund), there are more than 8 million people displaced in Ukraine. 63% are women, with 52% of displaced households reporting at least one child between the ages of 5 and 17, and 22% reporting a child under the age of 5. Officials say children continue to be killed and injured, with 238 child deaths and 347 injured children between 24 February and 9 May.

Since the beginning of the invasion, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy ordered all men between 18 and 60 to remain inside the borders and be prepared to fight. The government has also invited former military from all over the world to join forces, and the response has been overwhelming.

European nations have taken the lead on providing humanitarian and military aid, with Poland leading the effort, especially with processing the majority of refugees – approximately 6 million people. That doesn't include another 2 million who remain displaced within Ukraine.

According to the U.S. State Department's current data, The U.S. has provided a total of $4.5 billion in security assistance since January of 2021 and has recently pledged another $1 billion in aid. This doesn't include humanitarian aid provided to surrounding countries to assist with the refugee crises.

Here is some of what has been provided so far:

1,400 Stinger anti-aircraft systems, 5,000 Javelin anti-armor systems, 14,000 additional anti-armor systems, 700 Switchblade Unmanned Aerial Systems, 90 Howitzers, 184,000 artillery rounds, 17 tactical vehicles, 16 Mi-17 Helicopters, 7,000 small arms, $50 Million rounds of ammunition, and 75,000 sets of body armor and helmets.

The Biden Administration recently announced that the United States will accept 100,000 Ukrainian refugees. The U.S. already allowed 75,000 to remain, who were already here since the 2014 conflict. But where are they going to be housed?

The U.S./Mexican border is practically wide open, despite claims by the Biden Administration that the border is secure. Thousands of immigrants from around the world have taken advantage of the open border, and instead of being deported, they are being relocated to cities around the country. Florida has seen a massive influx of illegal immigrants, many of them involved in human trafficking and drug trafficking, which is making it easier to access deadly drugs, like Fentanyl.

The Hernando County Planning and Zoning Committee recently rejected a plan to temporarily house 100 orphaned Ukrainian children, due to overwhelming opposition from residents. Homeowners say the introduction of so many refugees would lower property values, create a massive tax burden, cause an environmental hazard, and do more harm to the children than good.

So, what does Hernando County do if a more viable plan is introduced? During my recent trip to Borodyanka, Ukraine, one of the hardest hit cities in Ukraine, an organization donated dozens of residential pods that piece together like Legos. Nearly every single home and business was shelled by Russian tanks or riddled with bullet holes. Most homes did not have roofs, and some only had half their walls. Those residents who weren't killed or fled the city still live in those crumbling structure. The modular pods are built better than a typical mobile home and some feel they are more aesthetically appealing. When the homes are no longer needed, they are easily loaded onto a truck and ready to be used again.

It is unknown if the organizers will appeal the decision or try to find a better location in Hernando County.

R News was unable to reach Torah Ore, Inc. for comment.

The difference between immigrants who cross our borders illegally and those being brought here from Ukraine is that it is a temporary solution. Ukraine has been invaded by a tyrant who has no regard for human life or the sovereignty of an independent nation. Ukraine is a beautiful country and is one of the largest exporters of wheat and seed-oil in the world. The citizens of Ukraine did not want to leave, they were being murdered and thrown out of their homes. I have interviewed countless families (Video segments to come) who are living in Ukraine and Poland, and the one thing they all say is, "We just want to go home."

R News will bring more stories on our recent tour of Ukraine in the coming days.