Russia has Invaded Ukraine. Here’s What you Need to Know.
How we’ve reached this point in history again.
After repeated denials of any plans for Russia to invade Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin has launched a military operation in the Eastern European country, following months of Moscow massing troops near the Ukraine border. Russian forces have fired missiles at several Ukrainian cities and landed troops on the country’s south coast.
Russia has confirmed it is targeting military facilities, which includes anti-aircraft systems and airfields. Ukrainian military command centres in both Kyiv and Kharkiv have been hit by Russian missile strikes.
The move comes after Russia had demanded guarantees from Western countries that NATO would not accept Ukraine and other former Soviet nations as members, stop weapon deployments there and roll back its forces from Eastern Europe. These demands were rejected by both NATO and The US.
Recent history
As a former Soviet state, Ukraine gained independence in 1991 during the collapse of the USSR. Since then, the country has struggled economically and has continued to endure political corruption and authoritarian rule.
Current motivations for this invasion remains unclear. Theories include a desire to prevent Ukraine from joining NATO, Putin’s personal quest to reunite Soviet countries and once again piece together the USSR, to boost Putin’s influence within his own nation, or to provide guaranteed access to fresh water for the Crimea peninsula. In 2014, following the ousting of pro-Russian president Viktor Yanukovych, Russia annexed the strategically valuable Crimea peninsula.
How can Ukraine respond?
Ukraine’s army currently consists of 150,000 troops after losing nearly two-thirds of its navy when Russia annexed Crimea. Ukraine is also understood to have a small but high-level air assault force, a volunteer reserve force which is growing to about 130,000 members and 400,000 veterans with separatist region combat experience.
In response to Russia amassing troops near the Ukraine border, the US and NATO members have been providing millions of dollars worth of military equipment to Ukraine. These include anti-aircraft missiles, anti-tank missiles, heavy machine guns, anti-armour artillery, small arms and ammunition, as well as secure radio systems.
The US has made it clear that it would continue to support a Ukrainian insurgency following any invasion.
Ukraine citizens in the country are unable to leave by plane after the Ukraine airspace was closed to civilian flights.
Whatever happens in the future, there is a mum, dad, child, friend, aunt, uncle living in these houses. Let’s not forget the human cost to what is going on in Eastern Europe right now.
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