'Nobody believed that this would happen.' The war in Ukraine from Seattle

After weeks of signaling and buildup of troops and equipment, Russia has launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In other words, Vladimir Putin has ordered likely the largest conventional military action in Europe since World War II.

KUOW's Soundside heard from several Seattleites about their view of what's happening in Ukraine.

For Anya Ozzello, what's happening in Ukraine is personal.

"Nobody believed that this would happen. Everyone thought that this was just a scare," Ozzello said.

Ozello came to the United States from Ukraine three years ago as part of an exchange program. Like many Ukrainians right now, she is trying to figure out how family in Ukraine can find safety. Her mother lives in Kyiv, and is currently waiting out the situation as most transit is sold out, clogged, or altogether destroyed.

"We asked and we asked, and everyone in the world expressed deep concern. There's your deep concern right now," Ozzello said.

"We are very strong and powerful people. And we'll all die fighting."

As President Biden announces new sanctions against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, Washington state politicians are also weighing in on the United States' response to the attack.

U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal is among a handful of lawmakers from across the country who have signed a letter to President Biden reminding him he must seek congressional approval for any U.S. military involvement in the Eastern European crisis.

RELATED: Northwest reacts to Russia's invasion of Ukraine

The letter reads, in part: "We strongly urge your administration to respect the separation of powers, U.S. law, and Congress’s constitutional war powers authority. Should your administration seek to introduce U.S. Armed Forces into hostilities or decline to remove any U.S. military personnel currently deployed inside Ukraine from unauthorized hostilities or imminent hostilities, Congress stands ready to deliberate over the potentially monumental implications of such scenarios. The American people, through their representatives in Congress, deserve to have a say before U.S. troops are placed in harm’s way or the U.S. becomes involved in yet another foreign conflict."

Scott Radnitz, an associate professor of Russian and Eurasian studies at the University of Washington, said we must wait to see what Russia does next.

"If this invasion continues, there will be global repercussions," Radnitz said. "The most immediate ones are going to be economic."

The value of a ruble, the official currency of Russia, has already sunk to a record low. And stocks have plummeted worldwide in the wake of the attack.

Radnitz said that economic consequences, including a plummeting stock market, rising oil prices, international trade disruptions, and severe sanctions will further cut Russia out of the global economy.

The repercussions may also continue to ripple outward.

"Anytime there's a war, there's the possibility of spill over," Radnitz explained. "A lot of people are going to try to flee and this will effect Ukraine's neighbors."

Casey Magee of Seattle is a former Peace Corp volunteer in Ukraine. He was stationed in the country from 2011 to 2014. He met his wife while in Ukraine, and maintains relationships with friends and family that live in the country. Now, he's trying to figure out how he can help from here in the Northwest.