The Russia-Ukraine war is about Russia's desire to regain control and influence over Ukraine, which it sees as part of its sphere of influence, opposed to Ukraine's move toward Western integration and democracy. The conflict began in 2014 after Ukraine's pro-Russian president was ousted, leading Russia to annex Crimea and back separatists in the eastern Donbas region. The war escalated dramatically in February 2022 when Russia launched a full-scale invasion aiming to demilitarize Ukraine, overthrow the pro-Western government, and prevent Ukraine from joining NATO. Russia's actions have been widely condemned internationally, and the war has caused massive casualties, displacement, and a refugee crisis.
Causes of the War
- Russia wants to turn Ukraine into a puppet regime and reassert its power over former Soviet states.
- Russia fears NATO expansion and sees Ukraine's democratic alignment with the West as a threat.
- The war began with Russia's covert annexation of Crimea and support for separatists in eastern Ukraine's Donbas region.
- Russia has used claims of protecting Russian speakers and "denazifying" Ukraine to justify its invasion, but these claims are largely discredited internationally.
Major Events
- 2014: Revolution in Ukraine ousted pro-Russian president, Russia annexed Crimea.
- 2014-2021: Ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine between Ukrainian forces and Russian-backed separatists.
- 2022: Russia launched a full-scale invasion from multiple fronts, aiming to capture Kyiv and install a pro-Russian government.
- The war has caused significant civilian casualties, displacement of millions, and widespread destruction.
The conflict remains active with ongoing fighting and international ramifications, marking the largest military conflict in Europe since World War II.
