Why Russia invaded Ukraine, explained

There has been an ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia. This conflict has been going on for years, since at least February 20, 2014, when Russia invaded and annexed Crimea and Russian-backed separatist forces took over parts of southeastern Ukraine’s Donbas region.

According to Vox, one of the reasons that helped spark this conflict between Ukraine and Russia was because Ukrainian officials came to an agreement with the European Union but when the day and time came to sign the deal Ukraine’s pro-Russian government officials refused.

“Ukraine is Europe!” protesters said, when they were protesting the issue. After months of peaceful protests, the Ukrainian president cracked down and killed more than 100 people.  However, the protests were successful:  that pro-Russian president, Viktor Yanukovych, resigned and fled to Russia.  

Putin worried he might lose political influence over Ukraine, and sought to increase his influence.  His forces annexed Crimea, a region in the south of the country, and he supported armed pro-Russian separatists in Donas, in the east.  Since 2014, Ukraine has been locked in a conflict with Russia that has killed about 14,000 people and displaced nearly 2 million people. For nearly eight years, Putin has held on to these regions, destabilizing Ukraine and trying to keep it from moving closer to the west.

Ukraine had been part of the Russian Empire in the 18th and 19th centuries. Although these two countries have a shared history, Ukraine has been fighting for its own identity and independence. Putin has been claiming and is still claiming that Ukraine belongs to Russia and that they are one with Russia. Putin also stated, “We’re not just close neighbors, we’re one nation.”

But on the other hand, Ukraine is a sovereign nation with its own language, culture, and political system. 

From 1917 to 1921 the Ukrainian War of Independence happened. Ukraine briefly gained independence from Russian Rule. But in 1922, Ukraine joined the formation of the USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics), which included Russia. Ukraine was a part of the USSR until it dissolved at the end of the Cold War in 1991, when Ukraine (and Russia) became separate, independent countries.  

Belarus, Ukraine, and Georgia were the final post-Soviet states between Russia and NATO (an intergovernmental military alliance between most countries in Europe and the U.S. and Canada that have committed, by treaty, to protecting each other if attacked).  Russia has threatened those states not to try and join NATO.

Satellite photographs from January 2022 revealed at least 100,000 Russian troops and military equipment had accumulated at Ukraine’s border. Putin had denied any intention of invading Ukraine on several occasions.

Russian forces continued to mass at Ukraine’s border. Under the guise of peacekeeping, his forces crossed the Ukraine border into separatist territory sponsored by Russia. President Zelensky made a direct plea to the Russian people when Ukraine declared a state of emergency.

Hours later on February 24th President Putin launched a full-scale invasion in Ukraine. The European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen said, “We condemn this barbaric and the cynical arguments to justify it.” Uk Prime Minister Boris Johnson said, “This hideous and barbaric venture of Vladimir Putin must end in failure.” US President Joe Biden said, “Putin chose this war and now he and his country will bear the consequences.”