The Russo-Ukrainian War begins in 2014. Conflict goes back much further. The war has profound political, social, and economic repercussions not only for Ukraine and Russia but the world. Here's an overview.
The Russo-Ukrainian War is a complex multifaceted crisis. It's rooted in historical tensions, geopolitical ambitions, and ideology clashes going back hundreds of years.
Historical Perspectives
Ukraine and Russia share centuries of history. Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital, is considered the basis of Slavic civilization. Ukraine is subject to periods of foreign rule by Poland, Lithuania, Austria-Hungary and the Soviet Union.
As time goes on this forges a strong national identity and desire for self-realization. These qualities often clash with Russia's perception of Ukraine as being within its sphere of influence.
Major historical events contributing to the Russo-Ukrainian War include
The Holodomor (1932-1933): A man-made famine in Soviet Ukraine, widely considered a genocide by Ukrainians, causes immense suffering and fuels deep-seated resentment toward Moscow.
Ukraine's Independence (1991): Collapse of the Soviet Union and Ukraine's declaration of independence are hailed by Ukrainians but not Russia, who struggles to accept the loss of an important territory.
The Orange Revolution (2004): Pro-democracy protests against alleged election fraud in Ukraine are seen by Russia as Western interference aimed at weakening its influence.
When Ukraine declares independence from the Soviet Union, the new country faces the challenge of forming a unique national identity. Many people desire closer ties with Europe, especially in western regions.
Conversely, in eastern Ukraine, many preserve strong cultural, historical, and linguistic connections with Russia. In 2013, tensions explode when then-President Viktor Yanukovych rejects a trade deal with the EU, favoring stronger ties with Russia.
Massive protests known as the Euromaidan movement contribute to the ousting of Yanukovych in February 2014. Russia supports separatists in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine, leading to protracted war in the area.
Annexation of Crimea
Crimea is a Ukrainian peninsula in the north Black Sea with majority-Russian population. In March 2014, Russia's annexation of Crimea claims protection of ethnic Russians.
Crimea is given to Ukraine in 1954 on the 300th anniversary of the Treaty of Pereyaslav, in which Cossacks pledge allegiance to Tsar Alexi. The transfer is attributed to Communist first secretary Nikita Khrushchev (1894 - 1971).
In Jan 1992 the Supreme Soviet of Russia challenges constitutionality of the transfer. Nikita Khrushchev is posthumously accused of treason against the Russian people.
Alexander Rutskoy, former Vice President of Russia, calls the transfer of Crimea a “harebrained scheme.” He says those who signed the document must have been suffering sunstroke or hangovers.
Control of Crimea grants access to the Black Sea, a strategic military and economic region. The March 2014 annexation sparks international outrage and sanctions. It's condemned by 100 countries of the United Nations.
Currently, Russia uses Crimea as a military base, a source of forced recruitment, and a detention center in its war against Ukraine. Hundreds of Ukrainian civilians are held there, isolated from the rest of the country and the world.
Motivations: Politics, Economics and Geopolitics
Political Control: Russia views Ukraine as strategically vital, both geopolitically and ideologically. Keeping Ukraine within its orbit ensures Russian security and influence in Eastern Europe.
Economic Interests: Ukraine a crucial transit route for Russian gas exports to Europe. Control over Ukrainian territory, particularly the Donbas region with its rich natural resources, also holds economic significance.
Ukraine has 22 of the 50 minerals classed by the US government as critical. These include lithium, graphite, titanium, silicon, uranium used to generate nuclear power and rare earth elements.
Deposits of copper, lead, zinc, silver, nickel, cobalt and manganese are also significant. Many resources are untapped.
Geopolitical Ambitions: Russian President Putin's vision of restoring Russia's great power status clashes with Ukraine's aspirations for closer ties with the West, including potential NATO membership.
Putin has repeatedly challenged legitimacy of Ukraine's borders. According to his ideology it's historically part of "Greater Russia." For Russia, Ukraine is a crucial buffer state against NATO's expansion.
Ukraine's desire to align more closely with Western Europe and NATO is perceived by Russia as a significant threat. Ukraine's agricultural sector alone contributes about 12% to its GDP, a valuable asset for both nations.
Zelenskyy and Putin
Volodymyr Zelenskyy: President of Ukraine, Zelenskyy rises to international prominence for his leadership. He rallies the Ukrainian people, appeals for international support, and is a symbol of Ukrainian resistance. Before his presidency, Zelenskyy is a comedian and actor, with no military background.
He wins presidency in 2019, advocating anti-corruption, and aiming for peace talks to resolve conflict in eastern Ukraine. His relatable background resonates with a generation of Ukrainians eager for change and reform.
Vladimir Putin: The President of Russia, Putin is the driving force behind Russia's policies towards Ukraine. He views Ukraine as essential to Russia's strategic interests is willing to use military force to achieve his goals.
Putin has maintained control for over two decades, using nationalism and historic narratives to reinforce his authority. His emphasis on reasserting Russia's status as a global power often leads to aggressive foreign policies.
These particularly involve Ukraine. In 2023 surveys say up to 75% of Russians support Putin's stance on Ukraine, proving the effectiveness of state messaging.
2022: Full-Scale Invasion
In February 2022, Russia launches a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, a significant escalation of conflict. Putin cites "demilitarization" and "denazification" of Ukraine as his goals.
He accuses the Ukrainian government of being controlled by Nazis, although its President is Jewish-born. He also claims the Ukraine government is a threat to Russian security.
Supporters
The international community is divided in support for Ukraine and Russia.
Supporters of Ukraine: The US, European Union and many other countries condemn Russia's aggression and provide Ukraine with financial, military and humanitarian aid. Western nations, especially NATO members, stress significance of national sovereignty and security.
Supporters of Russia: Russia receives support from Belarus, Syria, and a few other countries. Russia has support and strong relations with some such as China, Vietnam, Iran, Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua, North Korea, Myanmar.
Propaganda & Disinformation
Propaganda is a powerful tool in the Russo-Ukrainian War. It's used by both sides to shape public opinion and justify their actions.
Political and civil propaganda are used by many countries including the US. Its basic function is to demonize certain groups or behaviors and portray others as desirable.
Russian Propaganda: Russia's propaganda aims to portray Ukraine as a failed state controlled by Western powers and infiltrated by "Nazis". It also seeks to demonize Ukrainians, justify military actions, and undermine international support for Ukraine.
State-controlled Russian media portrays the conflict as a defensive struggle against Western threats and "Nazism" in Ukraine's government.
Ukrainian Counter-Propaganda: Ukraine's propaganda focuses on portraying Russia as an aggressor and highlighting the resilience of the Ukrainian people. It seeks to galvanize domestic support, maintain international solidarity, and counter Russian narratives.
Ukraine emphasizes its fight for sovereignty and territorial integrity. Social media channels disperse information and rally international support. In early months of the war, Ukrainian social media campaigns reach millions in the West, raising awareness of the situation.
Weapons & Technology
The Russo-Ukrainian War is a proving ground for modern weapons and technology.
Conventional Weapons: Tanks, artillery, and armored vehicles are integral to the ground war.
Drones: Both sides extensively use drones for reconnaissance, surveillance and attack.
Precision-Guided Munitions: Guided missiles and artillery shells have been used to target military infrastructure and enemy positions.
Cyber Warfare: Cyberattacks have been used to disrupt critical infrastructure, spread disinformation, and undermine enemy capabilities.
Cyber warfare involves both sides using advanced tactics to disrupt communications and create confusion within opposing forces. In WWII this is largely accomplished with radio interference and false broadcasts.
Russia gains attention for drone capabilities. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are deployed for reconnaissance as well as precision strikes. Russian forces use drones in over 50% of their operations by 2022.
Russia uses Iranian-made Shahed-136 kamikaze drones. They're fairly cheap and can cause significant damage to infrastructure and civilian areas. The attacks lead to massive loss of civilian lives.
Since 2023 Ukraine uses uncrewed surface vessels, initially to counteract the Russian offensive in Crimea. The seafaring drones carry large explosive payloads and strike at the waterline of ships.
The drones’ relatively low cost also allows Ukraine to stage attacks with large numbers. Despite their scale the attacks are hard for Russian warships to detect.
Peace Talks
Numerous attempts have been made to negotiate a peaceful resolution to the conflict, but with little success. Key obstacles include:
Territorial Disputes: Russia's annexation of Crimea and its control over parts of the Donbas region remain major points of contention.
Security Guarantees: Ukraine seeks security guarantees from Western powers to prevent future Russian aggression, while Russia demands guarantees that Ukraine will not join NATO.
Political Status of Ukraine: Russia wants Ukraine to be a neutral buffer state, while Ukraine seeks to maintain its sovereignty and right to choose its own alliances.
Social and Economic Impact
Consequences of the conflict are staggering.
Humanitarian Crisis: Millions of Ukrainians have been displaced from their homes, seeking refuge in other parts of Ukraine and neighboring countries.
Economic Devastation: The war has caused widespread destruction of infrastructure, disrupted economic activity, and led to a sharp decline in Ukraine's GDP.
Global Economic Impact: The war has disrupted global supply chains, particularly for food and energy, leading to rising prices and inflation.
Millions have been displaced, with cities like Mariupol experiencing destruction rates of over 90%. The economic toll is severe. Up to 40% of Ukraine's economy is affected, causing a drastic rise in poverty nationwide.
International aid has been crucial to support Ukraine's economy. Funds from various countries exceed $500 billion since start of the war. About 10% of the money is from the US, which as of 2025 has been axing foreign aid.
Western sanctions imposed on Russia target key sectors such as finance and energy, affecting public sentiment and economic stability. State media attempts to downplay the effects.
Other Important Facts
War Crimes Allegations: There are widespread allegations of war crimes committed by both sides, including targeting civilians, torture, and sexual violence.
Nuclear Threat: The war has raised concerns about the potential use of nuclear weapons, with both sides engaging in nuclear rhetoric.
Long-Term Implications: The Russo-Ukrainian War has profound long-term implications, including the reshaping of European security architecture, rise of new geopolitical alignments, and acceleration of global trends such as deglobalization and energy transition.
The Russo-Ukrainian War exemplifies larger tensions between authoritarian regimes and democratic nations. The conflict highlights international law, national sovereignty and global power balance.
The war intersects with critical matters like energy security and the flow of global migration. Millions of Ukrainians flee to safer countries.
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