Armed conflict
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine first started in 2014 when Russia started invading Ukraine with shelling along the Ukraine-Russian border in the east. Ukrainian have resisted the move by Russia vehemently leading to a full-scale invasion of the country on February 24, 2022 by Russian Troops. The war has led to 50,000 causalities, damage of civilian infrastructure and 1.5 million refugees with Poland getting the largest share. Poland is a NATO Ally where U.S. has deployed military troops to offer assistance to Poland and other NATO allies.
Russia Preparation for Invasion
In October 2021, Russia began moving troops, military arms and machinery to its boarder with Ukraine indicating potential of full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Russia deployed armored machineries, missiles and heavy weaponries visible from social networks and satellite images. Russian ensured by December; more than 100,000 Russian troops were along the Russian-Ukraine border ready for orders to invade.
The Ukraine received warnings from U.S. intelligence that Russia is planning a full-Scale attack on its country. Russian government warned USA and NATO allies of not interfering with the war and cease military operations in Ukraine or Russia will consider it an enemy. Ukraine wanted to join Europe and Subsequently NATO escalating the conflict with Russia. USA and NATO promised Russia of severe economic sanctions if it invaded Ukraine. USA sent Ukraine military weapons and defensive weapons, small arms, ammunitions in readiness for the war.
USA President, Joe Biden ordered US Troops deployment to Poland and Romania leading to 3000 troops deployment. Russia respondent by bringing more troops seen around its border with Ukraine and Belarus evident by Satellite images. U.S. and European Nations like France, Germany negotiated for peace and adoption of diplomacy, the calls rejected by Russia. In Feb 2022, U.S. Intelligence warned of Russian intends to engage and invade Ukraine based on growing Russian troops in the region along Ukrainian and Belarusian border. On Feb 24, 2022, Putin announced the full-scale land, sea and air attack on Ukraine. The war targets Ukrainian military sites, equipment, personnel and assets across the country. Putin urged Ukrainian military to put down their weapons and go home to their families, a move resisted strongly by Ukrainians.
Why the Fight Now?
In November 2013, Ukraine protested in its Kyiv capital city when the president, Viktor Yanukovych decided to reject the integration of Ukraine in the European Union. The riots were quelled by state security personnel. In Feb 2014, Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych left the country allowing the Russian troops take control of Ukraine’s Crimean area. The Crimean people voted to join Russian Federation, the voted disputed in local referendums. President Vladmir Putin of Russia decided to protect the Russians people and Russian speakers in Crimea area, southeast of Ukraine. As the crisis persisted, Donestk and Luhansk areas of Eastern Ukraine held Referendums and declared themselves free from Ukraine.
The conflict in eastern Ukraine between Ukraine and Russian-backed separatists led to killings of over 11,000 people and injured over 25,000 people since 2014. Moscow reported that it is not taking part in the conflict claims rejected by U.S. intelligence since Russian Troops and military weapons were brought near Donestk. Russia-cross borders shelling were linked to Russian military. The escalation intensified and became an international crisis in July 2014.
The U.S. and Europe were brought into attention after the Malaysian Airline was fired in Ukraine killing 298 people on spot. The investigation confirmed Russian Missile from eastern Ukraine was responsible for the plane crash. The European governments; France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine attempted to make talks for people to decist from cessation violence to no avail.
Ukraine and Russia engaged in Cyberattacks since the conflict in 2014 with Ukraine suffering Russian attacks. 230,000 Ukrainians lost power across the country and experienced blackouts due to escalating conflicts. Ukrainians also experienced the NotPetya cyberattack that led to billions of dollar damages in worldwide computers.
United States under President Donald Trump exerted more pressure to Russia over involvement in Eastern Ukraine Conflict. In 2018, USA sanctioned Russian officials, companies and elites linked to the escalation and sold anti-tank weapons to Ukraine. Ukraine joined the US and seven other North Atlantic Treaty Organizations (NATO) in a large-scale air exercise in Western Ukraine. Russia decided to invade Ukraine on Feb 24, 2022 to protect the Russians people and Russian speakers in Crimea area, southeast of Ukraine and prevent it from joining Europe and NATO.
Impacts of Russian Invasion to Ukraine
Russian invasion to Ukraine has caused severe diplomatic tension particularly between U.S. and Europe, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan, Japan and South Korea evident in massive economic sanctions agaist Russia and Belarus. The escalation is increasing tension between Russia and Europe, NATO and is likely to spread invasion to bordering countries leading to global war. The war will cause severe economic impacts on Russian and other countries specifically in Africa and Asia.
The cost of Natural gas, petroleum products and subsequently increased cost of living is experienced already in the US. Of course, the war has resulted in over 50,000 causalities, 400 deaths in Ukraine including 14 children and 1.2 million refugees (the number expected to increase with time) in Poland and Romania increasing humanitarian crisis. Ukrainian President says 7900 Russian Army are dead so far in the war.