The image from Ukrainian Armed Forces shows damaged Russian tanks in a field after attempting to attack, Vuhledar, Ukraine. |
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has been ongoing for over three hundred and fifty four days and continues to be a major issue in international politics. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive guide to the key events that have shaped the war and its current state.
Origins of the Conflict
The roots of the conflict can be traced back to the aftermath of the Ukrainian revolution in 2014, which resulted in the ousting of pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych. This led to the annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation, which was met with international condemnation and the imposition of economic sanctions.
Escalation of Tensions
The conflict escalated in April 2014, when pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine declared independence and formed the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics. This led to a military intervention by the Ukrainian government, which was met with resistance from the separatists and Russian military support.
Key Events in the War
- 2014: Annexation of Crimea by Russia and the start of the conflict in eastern Ukraine
- 2015: Minsk II Agreement signed to end the conflict, but violence continues to persist
- 2016: Ukraine and pro-Russian separatists hold limited exchange of prisoners
- 2017: Fighting intensifies in eastern Ukraine, leading to increased casualties
- 2018: Kerch Strait incident raises tensions between Russia and Ukraine
- 2019: Ukrainian presidential elections lead to further tensions
- 2020: Both sides continue to violate the Minsk II Agreement and engage in sporadic fighting
Current State of the Conflict
The conflict remains unresolved, with both sides accusing each other of violating ceasefires and peace agreements. The fighting continues to cause casualties and displacement for civilians in eastern Ukraine. Diplomatic efforts, including negotiations through the Normandy Format, have failed to bring a lasting resolution to the conflict.
Diagram of Key Events
mermaidsequenceDiagram Annexation of Crimea -x-> Conflict in eastern Ukraine Conflict in eastern Ukraine -x-> Minsk II Agreement Minsk II Agreement -x-> Limited prisoner exchange Limited prisoner exchange -x-> Intensified fighting Intensified fighting -x-> Kerch Strait incident Kerch Strait incident -x-> Ukrainian presidential elections Ukrainian presidential elections -x-> Continuing violations of agreements
In conclusion, the Russia-Ukraine war is a complex and ongoing conflict with a long history and numerous key events. The current state of the conflict remains unresolved, with diplomatic efforts failing to bring a lasting peace. It is important to stay informed and understand the events that have shaped this conflict in order to have a comprehensive understanding of the issue.