the Ukraine-Russia conflict has long historical and cultural roots, in a region which has experienced significant tensions since the end of the Soviet era. These tensions culminated in a full- scale war between Russia and Ukraine - the latter which is still fighting for the right to remain an independent state.
The war officially broke out on the 24th of February 2022, but onlookers had expected some form of conflict between the two countries for months leading up to the invasion.
Russia had expressed concerns about Ukraine’s lenience towards the European Union and the West, which would ultimately bring NATO forces closer to the borders of Russia. President Putin also provided a second reasoning for invading Ukraine; to ”demilitarise and de-Nazify Ukraine”, and to free pro- Russian citizens in Ukraine, from what they saw as an oppressive regime.
Western experts quickly noticed that it was a rationale used by Russia to annex Ukrainian land, beyond the Crimean Peninsula. Both parties have mobilised large forces, and are fighting a war on land, sea, and in the air. Although Russia’s resources far outweigh Ukraine’s combat preparedness, the country has been successful in keeping the Russian forces back, with the help of the United States and several European states. So far, Russia has not managed to take the capital of Kiev, which has been its goal from the start. Nonetheless, Russia is now in control of about 20 % of Ukraine’s sovereign land, including strategically important locations such as the Luhansk region and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
President Zelenskyy has pleaded for help to keep the power plant safe from harm, as an accident could have severe consequences for the entire world.
The war has already seen catastrophic consequences, with thousands being killed and injured, important infrastructure being destroyed, as well as rising food and energy prices in the rest of Europe. The actual number of injured and killed remains unknown, but it has been reported that Ukraine has suffered more than 13,000 casualties in the war. Among them are also many women and children. More than 13 million Ukrainians have fled the country, and around 7 million people have been internally displaced since the war broke out. Many of the refugees have found shelter in other European countries, who have welcomed them with open arms. Many of them have also returned to Ukraine, either to fight alongside their fellow country men, or to offer moral support to their nation. Although it is difficult to say when the war will come to an end, it is expected to go on for months, or even years to come. Rebuilding Ukraine and Russia will be a long and difficult journey, for a population that is both exhausted and deeply traumatised by the war.
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