The Russian Invasion of Ukraine commenced on the 24th of February after supposed military confrontations between the two states on the 21st of February. In response to this declaration of war, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy imposed martial law throughout Ukraine, and the mobilization of the citizens for the war started. Targeted Air-Strikes were carried out across Ukraine by the Russian Military, while the Armed forces attacked on land with Tanks & conventional weaponry.
A Waging War
There have been cases of war glorification and disinformation from both sides. Russia accused Ukraine of mass murder of ethnic Russians, referencing mass graves in East Ukraine. It also sought to portray Ukraine as a Nazi State to legitimize the invasion, as a force of ‘Liberation’. Ukraine has been spreading myths of the “Ghost of Kyiv”- a fighter pilot who supposedly shot down 6 Russian jets.
The Biden Administration in the US and The West have imposed several trade sanctions on Russia in a bid to cripple their economy and the war effort. India didn’t impose trade sanctions on Russia and abstained from voting on a resolution deploring Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in the UNGA to demonstrate its neutral stance.
Several Villages & cities on the Eastern & Southern sides of Ukraine, such as Mariupol and Luhansk, are currently under Russian Control, while the President & the Govt are in Kyiv, directing the War Effort. Several rounds of Peace Negotiations have happened near the Belarus-Ukraine Border with no visible settlements and changes. In the most recent renewal of peace talks, there are reports of some agreement between the two sides, with the possibility of direct talks between the heads of both states.
History of the Conflict
The Soviet Union was one of the superpowers of the world. After its dissolution in 1991, several states, including Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus, emerged. Russia assumed the Soviet Union’s rights and obligations. Ukraine possessed about a third of the nuclear arsenal of the now-dissolved Soviet Union. It later signed the Budapest Memorandum in 1994, as it was assured financial assistance, recognition of its sovereignty, security assurances, etc., if it gave up its nuclear weapons and acceded to the Non-Proliferation Treaty as a non-nuclear state. Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States agreed to uphold the NPT.
From 1994 to 2014, there were several political disturbances in Ukraine, including the Orange Revolution, Revolution of Dignity, etc., where both Russia and NATO were accused of meddling in the affairs of the Ukrainian State. Moreover, NATO had been expanding and letting in states in Eastern Europe, possibly violating previous treaties, which fueled tensions between the West and Russia. In 2014, When the President of Ukraine Yanukovych didn’t sign with the EU an open trade agreement, it is said that NATO orchestrated a coup against him, which led to a violent and fatal up rise, which was called the Revolution of Dignity. This led to further unrest among the masses, especially in the Russian-speaking eastern regions. Pro-Russian protests and movements broke out across Ukraine, and Russian forces took control of the Ukrainian parts of Crimea, along with key buildings and infrastructure, such as the Crimean Parliament. A referendum was held to give Crimea a choice to join the Russian Federation or restore the 1992 Crimean Constitution and its status as part of Ukraine. Crimea voted to align with Russian Federation. This referendum is criticized and not recognized by several states due to the presence of the Russian Armed forces in Crimea and the political disturbances that led to this event. Russia recognized Crimea as a sovereign state and separated it from Ukraine. These events are considered a violation of the NPT, which led to further tensions in the region.
In the time between 2014 and 2022, Russia increased its military presence around the borders of Ukraine. It justified it as a safeguard against possible attacks by Ukraine and as a peacekeeping force. Meanwhile, the Pro-Russian Militants had been fighting against Ukraine. Their weaponry and resources indicated Russian support, training, and financing. Moreover, at several phases in this conflict, Russian troops are reported to have been directly involved in the fight against Ukraine to support the losing Pro-Russian separatists.
From March 2021 to February 2022, two major military increases from the Russian side showed signs of a possible invasion of Ukraine. Russia denied these accusations, despite US Intelligence clearly showing invasion plans and photographs of military sites. Alongside these military developments, The Russian State machinery started disseminating Anti- Ukrainian Propaganda to justify the invasion. In a speech, Putin inaccurately questioned the legitimacy of the Ukrainian State and called it a country created by the Soviet Union. False accusations of major Neo-Nazi influences in Ukraine were thrown in, despite a Jewish President in power. Putin also sought to manipulate history with accusations of genocide against Ukraine and the portrayal of Christian Russians as the ‘true’ victims of the Nazis during World War 2. Putin accused NATO of using Ukraine and the other Eastern European States as potential gateways of invasion against Russia. He threatened Ukraine against joining NATO due to these fears and used it to justify the invasion. From February 17-to 21, a disinformation campaign was carried out by the Russian State accusing Ukrainian forces of attacking Russia. These factors allowed Putin to justify and carry out the invasion on the 24th of February. The Russian troops were portrayed as a “peacekeeping” and “liberating” force in the Donbas regions, despite clear evidence to the contrary.
The Aftermath
This conflict between Russia and Ukraine is the by-product of a complex geopolitical situation set in the rivalry between the USA/NATO and the Soviet Union/Russia. Both sides have used their considerable power & influence to wage proxy wars in Eastern Europe, Afghanistan, etc. Although Russia is clearly the aggressor here, the imperial background of NATO must not be ignored when judging this conflict. It has constantly used its influence to make forays into Eastern Europe territory. It’s the ordinary people in these countries that bear the brunt of the war through hyperinflation, consumer & industrial shortages, extremist activities, etc. The Ukrainian people are a victim of the Imperial activities of both the West and Russia. Peace and an anti-war stance are the best path and solutions possible.
– Garvit
ECONOX 