Keyword: War in Ukraine

Since Russia started a full-scale war of aggression in Ukraine in February 2022, the country's civil society, opposition and independent media have been suppressed. In these circumstances, the importance of social media as a forum for discussion and a platform for activism has become even more prominent. At the same time, it has become a central source of information for the study of Russia's internal development.

There has not previously been conducted any population-based study on suicidality among children and adolescents during the Russian invasion in Ukraine. A new study carried out by a multinational research group showed high levels of suicidal thoughts and attempts in adolescents, which were strongly associated with wartime traumatic experiences, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety. 

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and anxiety were more likely in adolescents exposed to war than those living outside the war-affected region in Ukraine. The unique study conducted by the Research Centre for Child Psychiatry of the University of Turku is the largest epidemiological study using standardised measures that examined the impact of the Russia–Ukraine war 2014 on the mental health of adolescents.

The Turku Institute for Advanced Studies (TIAS) research collegium of the University of Turku has received additional funding from Kone Foundation for hiring researchers fleeing the war in Ukraine.

The University of Turku suspends cooperation with Russian universities and other Russian institutions for the time being in accordance with the recommendation of the Ministry of Education and Culture.

A list of experts on Russia and international crises can be found on the University of Turku website. The researchers are available for media inquiries related to their field of expertise.