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So, on Feb 24 2022 Russia launched a large scale invasion of Ukraine. This is a frightening escalation of a conflict that's been ongoing for 8 years.
We will use this thread to discuss this conflict in particular. Below, I will attach an AP article explaining how Russia has put it's nuclear forces on high alert, which is definitely not good news for the rest of the world.
apnews.com
As well, below I am going to put a write up explaining the history of the situation for anyone interested in learning more about the background (I just pilfered it from Wikipedia):
The Russo-Ukrainian War[61] is an ongoing war primarily involving Russia, Belarus, and pro-Russian forces on one side, and Ukraine on the other. Conflict began in February 2014 in the wake of the Ukrainian revolution, and focused on the status of Crimea and parts of the Donbas, which are internationally recognised as part of Ukraine. The conflict included the Russian annexation of Crimea (2014), the Donbas War (2014–present), naval incidents, cyberwarfare, and political tensions. Russia gave military backing to the separatists in Donbas, but attempted to hide its involvement. After Russian military buildups near Ukraine's borders in 2021,[62][63][64] Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022.[65][66][67][68]
Following the Euromaidan protests and the subsequent removal of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych on 22 February 2014, and amidst pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine, Russian soldiers without insignias took control of strategic positions and infrastructure within the Ukrainian territory of Crimea. On 1 March 2014, the Federation Council of the Russian Federation unanimously adopted a resolution to petition Russian President Vladimir Putin to use military force in Ukraine.[69] The resolution was adopted several days later, after the start of the Russian military operation on the "Returning of Crimea". Russia then annexed Crimea after a widely criticised local referendum which was organised by Russia after the capturing of the Crimean Parliament whose outcome was for the Autonomous Republic of Crimea to join the Russian Federation.[70][71][72][73] In April, demonstrations by pro-Russian groups in the Donbas area of Ukraine escalated into a war between the Ukrainian government and the Russian-backed separatist forces of the self-declared Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics. In August, Russian military vehicles crossed the border in several locations of Donetsk Oblast.[78] The incursion by the Russian military was seen as responsible for the defeat of Ukrainian forces in early September.[79][80]
In November 2014, the Ukrainian military reported intensive movement of troops and equipment from Russia into the separatist-controlled parts of the eastern Ukraine.[81] The Associated Press reported 40 unmarked military vehicles on the move in rebel-controlled areas.[82] The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Special Monitoring Mission observed convoys of heavy weapons and tanks in DPR-controlled territory without insignia.[83] OSCE monitors further stated they observed vehicles transporting ammunition and soldiers' dead bodies crossing the Russian-Ukrainian border under the guise of humanitarian aid convoys.[84] As of early August 2015, OSCE observed over 21 such vehicles marked with the Russian military code for soldiers killed in action.[85] According to The Moscow Times, Russia has tried to intimidate and silence human rights workers discussing Russian soldiers' deaths in the conflict.[86] OSCE has reported that its observers were denied access to the areas controlled by "combined Russian-separatist forces".[87]
The majority of members of the international community[88][89][90] and organizations such as Amnesty International[91] have condemned Russia for its actions in post-revolutionary Ukraine, accusing it of breaking international law and violating Ukrainian sovereignty. Many countries implemented economic sanctions against Russia, Russian individuals or companies.[92]
In October 2015, The Washington Post reported that Russia has redeployed some of its elite units from Ukraine to Syria to support Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.[93] In December 2015, Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin admitted that Russian military intelligence officers were operating in Ukraine, insisting though that they were not the same as regular troops.[94] In February 2019, 7% of Ukraine's territory was classified by the Ukrainian government as temporarily occupied territories.[95]
2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
Main article: 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
On 21 February 2022, the Russian government claimed that Ukrainian shelling had destroyed an FSB border facility on the Russia Ukraine border, and claimed that it had killed 5 Ukrainian soldiers who tried to cross into Russian territory. Ukraine denied being involved in both incidents and called them a false flag.[517][518] On the same day, the Russian government formally recognized the self-proclaimed DPR and LPR as independent states, according to Putin not only in their de-facto controlled areas, but the Ukrainian Oblasts as a whole,[519] and Putin ordered Russian troops, including tanks, to enter the regions.[520][521][522]
On 24 February 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an invasion of Ukraine by Russian Armed Forces previously concentrated along the border.[523] The invasion followed by targeted airstrikes of military buildings in the country, as well as tanks entering via the Belarus border.[524][525] Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared martial law throughout Ukraine.[526] Air raid sirens were heard throughout Ukraine for most of the day.[527] Ukraine's ICT infrastructure has already deteriorated as a result of Russian cyber-attacks and bombardments.[528][529] Several Ukrainian cities or buildings have been occupied, including the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant.[530][531][532] However, per a US defence official, Russians forces are "meeting more resistance" in advance towards Kyiv "than they expected";[533] a statement repeated by James Heappey, Britain's current Minister for the Armed Forces the next day.[534]
We will use this thread to discuss this conflict in particular. Below, I will attach an AP article explaining how Russia has put it's nuclear forces on high alert, which is definitely not good news for the rest of the world.
Putin puts nuclear forces on high alert, escalating tensions
President Vladimir Putin has ordered Russian nuclear forces on high alert amid tensions with the West over his invasion of Ukraine.
apnews.com
As well, below I am going to put a write up explaining the history of the situation for anyone interested in learning more about the background (I just pilfered it from Wikipedia):
The Russo-Ukrainian War[61] is an ongoing war primarily involving Russia, Belarus, and pro-Russian forces on one side, and Ukraine on the other. Conflict began in February 2014 in the wake of the Ukrainian revolution, and focused on the status of Crimea and parts of the Donbas, which are internationally recognised as part of Ukraine. The conflict included the Russian annexation of Crimea (2014), the Donbas War (2014–present), naval incidents, cyberwarfare, and political tensions. Russia gave military backing to the separatists in Donbas, but attempted to hide its involvement. After Russian military buildups near Ukraine's borders in 2021,[62][63][64] Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022.[65][66][67][68]
Following the Euromaidan protests and the subsequent removal of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych on 22 February 2014, and amidst pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine, Russian soldiers without insignias took control of strategic positions and infrastructure within the Ukrainian territory of Crimea. On 1 March 2014, the Federation Council of the Russian Federation unanimously adopted a resolution to petition Russian President Vladimir Putin to use military force in Ukraine.[69] The resolution was adopted several days later, after the start of the Russian military operation on the "Returning of Crimea". Russia then annexed Crimea after a widely criticised local referendum which was organised by Russia after the capturing of the Crimean Parliament whose outcome was for the Autonomous Republic of Crimea to join the Russian Federation.[70][71][72][73] In April, demonstrations by pro-Russian groups in the Donbas area of Ukraine escalated into a war between the Ukrainian government and the Russian-backed separatist forces of the self-declared Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics. In August, Russian military vehicles crossed the border in several locations of Donetsk Oblast.[78] The incursion by the Russian military was seen as responsible for the defeat of Ukrainian forces in early September.[79][80]
In November 2014, the Ukrainian military reported intensive movement of troops and equipment from Russia into the separatist-controlled parts of the eastern Ukraine.[81] The Associated Press reported 40 unmarked military vehicles on the move in rebel-controlled areas.[82] The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Special Monitoring Mission observed convoys of heavy weapons and tanks in DPR-controlled territory without insignia.[83] OSCE monitors further stated they observed vehicles transporting ammunition and soldiers' dead bodies crossing the Russian-Ukrainian border under the guise of humanitarian aid convoys.[84] As of early August 2015, OSCE observed over 21 such vehicles marked with the Russian military code for soldiers killed in action.[85] According to The Moscow Times, Russia has tried to intimidate and silence human rights workers discussing Russian soldiers' deaths in the conflict.[86] OSCE has reported that its observers were denied access to the areas controlled by "combined Russian-separatist forces".[87]
The majority of members of the international community[88][89][90] and organizations such as Amnesty International[91] have condemned Russia for its actions in post-revolutionary Ukraine, accusing it of breaking international law and violating Ukrainian sovereignty. Many countries implemented economic sanctions against Russia, Russian individuals or companies.[92]
In October 2015, The Washington Post reported that Russia has redeployed some of its elite units from Ukraine to Syria to support Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.[93] In December 2015, Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin admitted that Russian military intelligence officers were operating in Ukraine, insisting though that they were not the same as regular troops.[94] In February 2019, 7% of Ukraine's territory was classified by the Ukrainian government as temporarily occupied territories.[95]
2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
Main article: 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
On 21 February 2022, the Russian government claimed that Ukrainian shelling had destroyed an FSB border facility on the Russia Ukraine border, and claimed that it had killed 5 Ukrainian soldiers who tried to cross into Russian territory. Ukraine denied being involved in both incidents and called them a false flag.[517][518] On the same day, the Russian government formally recognized the self-proclaimed DPR and LPR as independent states, according to Putin not only in their de-facto controlled areas, but the Ukrainian Oblasts as a whole,[519] and Putin ordered Russian troops, including tanks, to enter the regions.[520][521][522]
On 24 February 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an invasion of Ukraine by Russian Armed Forces previously concentrated along the border.[523] The invasion followed by targeted airstrikes of military buildings in the country, as well as tanks entering via the Belarus border.[524][525] Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared martial law throughout Ukraine.[526] Air raid sirens were heard throughout Ukraine for most of the day.[527] Ukraine's ICT infrastructure has already deteriorated as a result of Russian cyber-attacks and bombardments.[528][529] Several Ukrainian cities or buildings have been occupied, including the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant.[530][531][532] However, per a US defence official, Russians forces are "meeting more resistance" in advance towards Kyiv "than they expected";[533] a statement repeated by James Heappey, Britain's current Minister for the Armed Forces the next day.[534]
