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RUSSIAN-UKRAINE WAR
1. Introduction. On 24 Feb 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine. The invasion has
resulted in tens of thousands of deaths on both sides and caused Europe’s largest
refugee crises since World War II. The Invasion has also caused global food
shortages and widespread energy crises.
2. Background
a. After the Soviet Union (USSR) dissolved in 1991, the newly independent
republics of Ukraine and Russia maintained ties.
b. After the collapse, several former Eastern Block countries joined NATO.
Russian leaders claimed that Western powers had pledged that NATO would
not expand eastward.
c. At the NATO 2008 Bucharest summit, Ukraine sought NATO membership
which was strongly opposed by Russia. Although Ukraine was denied
membership, NATO pledged that Ukraine will be admitted in the future.
d. In response Russia stated that it would do everything it could to prevent the
shift of the balance of power to Pro-Western governments.
e. In Feb 2014, Pro-Russian unrest erupted in eastern and southern parts of
Ukraine.
f. Russian soldiers took control of the Ukrainian territory of Crimea and
annexed it in March 2014.
3. Commencement of Military Operations
a. In March/April 2021, Russia began a major military build-up near the
Ukrainian border.
b. A Second build-up followed from Oct 2021 to Feb 2022 in both Russia and
Belarus (its ally).
c. During the second build-up, Russia demanded that the US and NATO agree
to prevent Ukraine from ever joining NATO, and remove multinational forces
from Eastern European member states.
d. These demands were widely seen as non-viable and the US and NATO
showed inclination towards facilitating the process of Ukraine joining NATO.
e. On 24 February 2022, Putin announced a special military operation in the
country and effectively declared War on Ukraine.
f. After capturing, Russia announced the illegal annexation of four partially
occupied Ukrainian Oblasts i.e. Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and
Zaporizhzhia. The UN, Ukraine and many other countries condemned the
annexation.
RUSSIAN-UKRAINE WAR
1. Introduction. On 24 Feb 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine. The invasion has
resulted in tens of thousands of deaths on both sides and caused Europe’s largest
refugee crises since World War II. The Invasion has also caused global food
shortages and widespread energy crises.
2. Background
a. After the Soviet Union (USSR) dissolved in 1991, the newly independent
republics of Ukraine and Russia maintained ties.
b. After the collapse, several former Eastern Block countries joined NATO.
Russian leaders claimed that Western powers had pledged that NATO would
not expand eastward.
c. At the NATO 2008 Bucharest summit, Ukraine sought NATO membership
which was strongly opposed by Russia. Although Ukraine was denied
membership, NATO pledged that Ukraine will be admitted in the future.
d. In response Russia stated that it would do everything it could to prevent the
shift of the balance of power to Pro-Western governments.
e. In Feb 2014, Pro-Russian unrest erupted in eastern and southern parts of
Ukraine.
f. Russian soldiers took control of the Ukrainian territory of Crimea and
annexed it in March 2014.
3. Commencement of Military Operations
a. In March/April 2021, Russia began a major military build-up near the
Ukrainian border.
b. A Second build-up followed from Oct 2021 to Feb 2022 in both Russia and
Belarus (its ally).
c. During the second build-up, Russia demanded that the US and NATO agree
to prevent Ukraine from ever joining NATO, and remove multinational forces
from Eastern European member states.
d. These demands were widely seen as non-viable and the US and NATO
showed inclination towards facilitating the process of Ukraine joining NATO.
e. On 24 February 2022, Putin announced a special military operation in the
country and effectively declared War on Ukraine.
f. After capturing, Russia announced the illegal annexation of four partially
occupied Ukrainian Oblasts i.e. Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and
Zaporizhzhia. The UN, Ukraine and many other countries condemned the
annexation.
