Ukraine

{{bronze}}
[[File:Europe-Ukraine (и не контролируемые).png|thumb|right|195px|Ukraine, with (pre-Russian invasion) occupied territory in light green.]]
{{countrybox|Україна 
|flag = Flag_of_Ukraine.svg
|pop = 41,130,432 (excl. occupied territories)
|GDP =181,038
|GDPPC =4,384
|life =73w
|dev =0.779
|dem =5.57
|cor =32
|edu =0.799
|rel =46
}}
'''Ukraine''' (Ukrainian: Україна) is a nation in Eastern [[Europe]] near the ill-defined border with [[Asia]]. It is the second-largest country by area in Europe (after [[Russia]], if [[Turkey]] is not counted). Ukraine's capital, Kyiv (or Kiev; Ukrainian: Київ), is considered the key hub of East Slavic [[culture]].{{efn|{{cquote|Soviet historians often portrayed {{wpl|Kievan Rus'}} as the common cradle of the three East Slavic nations. According to that logic, not unlike the builders of the Tower of Babel, the Eastern Slavs originally constituted one Old Rus' nationality or ethnicity that spoke a common language. It was only the Mongol invasion that divided the people of Rus' and set them on separate paths of development, which eventually led to the formation of three modern nations. The competing view, advanced by imperial Russian historians and shared by some authors in present-day Russia, claims Kievan Rus' history for one indivisible Russian nation, of which Ukrainians and Belarusians are considered mere subgroups, distinguished not by separate cultures and languages but by variants of Russian culture and dialects of the Russian language.}}<ref>''The Origins of the Slavic Nations: Premodern Identities in Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus'' by Serhii Plokhy (2006) Cambridge University Press, 2006. ISBN 0521155118.</ref>{{rp|1-2}}}}<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/24/AR2009122401974.html Visiting Kiev, the capital of Ukraine and a cradle of Russian culture] by John Pancake (December 27, 2009) ''The Washington Post''.</ref> Once part of the [[Soviet Union]] (declaring independence on 24 August 1991), Ukraine is a potential candidate member of the [[European Union]] (EU). However, the typical [[Eastern Bloc]] levels of corruption and [[economic]] underdevelopment would be a large hurdle, even without the internal and external political omnishambles developed in 2014.

Due to a quirk of geography, most of the [[natural gas]] that [[Russia]] sells to Europe passes through Ukraine. Sometimes Russia tries to punish Ukraine for being in arrears on their gas payments by cutting the gas flow to Ukraine. Then Ukraine makes up the shortfall from the gas that was supposed to go to [[Germany]], forcing Russia to cut off the gas altogether in the middle of the winter. And [[France]] just laughs because 90% of its energy comes from [[nuclear power]].

Ukraine also had the dubious distinction of redoing its 2005 presidential election because of widespread fraud; during this campaign, the eventual winner, Viktor Yushchenko, suffered one of the most acute cases of [[dioxin]] poisoning ever recorded. Russia was the most likely culprit in the assassination attempt.<ref>[https://news.sky.com/story/ex-ukraine-leader-do-not-rule-out-military-action-against-russia-11306185 Poisoned ex-Ukrainian president: 'I know what Putin fears': Viktor Yushchenko, himself poisoned in 2004, says expelling diplomats is a start but military action against Russia may be needed.] by Stuart Ramsay (28 March 2018 14:38, UK) ''Sky News''.</ref>

Since 2014, major portions of the country have been under illegal [[Military occupation|military occupation]] by [[Russia]].<ref>[https://www.rulac.org/browse/conflicts/military-occupation-of-ukraine#:~:text=The%20law%20of%20military%20occupation%20applies%20to%20the,Additional%20Protocol%20I%20applicable%20to%20international%20armed%20conflicts Military occupation of Ukraine by Russia] ''Geneva Academy''.</ref> These areas include the Autonomous Republic of Crimea as the illegally annexed "Republic of Crimea" and parts of Donetsk Oblast and the Luhansk Oblast as Russia's former [[puppet state]]s of "Donetsk People's Republic" and "Luhansk People's Republic"; now annexed by Russia. This cemented Russian foothold in the country.

On 24 February 2022, [[Russia]] invaded Ukrainian territory under the guise of "[[Bullshit|peacekeeping]]" in the separatist-held parts of Donetsk and Luhansk.<ref>[https://news.yahoo.com/more-troops-headed-eastern-europe-221422074.html More Troops Headed to Eastern Europe as Biden Says Russia Invasion of Ukraine Has Started] by Travis Tritten (February 22, 2022) ''Yahoo News''.</ref> Russia subsequently launched a full-scale invasion of the country (which they [[Euphemism|euphemistically]] called a 'special military operation'),<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2022/feb/23/ukraine-russia-news-crisis-latest-live-updates-putin-biden-europe-sanctions-russian-invasion-border-troops Markets shaken after Putin announces special military operation – as it happened] by Samantha Lock et al. (Updated 23 Feb 2022) ''The Guardian''.</ref> prompting Ukrainian citizens across multiple major cities, including Kyiv, to flee.<ref name="AP News Brutal Act of War">[https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-attack-a05e7c4563ac94b963134bba83187d46 Russia invades Ukraine on many fronts in ‘brutal act of war’] by Yuras Karmanau et al. (February 24, 2022) ''AP News''.</ref> This drew condemnation by the [[United States]] and the European Union. They deemed the act an invasion and imposed severe and unprecedented sanctions, such as removing access to a major natural gas pipeline and halting global financing to two major Russian banks.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/22/us/politics/us-russia-ukraine-sanctions.html U.S. and Allies Impose Sanctions on Russia as Biden Condemns ‘Invasion’ of Ukraine: President Biden warned President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia that more sanctions would follow if he did not withdraw his forces and engage in diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis.] by Michael D. Shear et al. (February 22, 2022) ''The New York Times''.</ref> The act of war also drew condemnation from leaders in [[South Korea]], [[Australia]], the [[United Kingdom]], [[Canada]], [[Germany]], and even [[Hungary]].<ref name="AP News Brutal Act of War"/> This also prompted anti-war protests worldwide, including in at least 47 cities in Russia, including Moscow, which has led to [[censorship|thousands of protestors being arrested]] for violating laws against spontaneous mass demonstrations.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/02/24/russia-ukraine-protests-putin/ Attack on Ukraine brings rare sight in Russia: Protests in cities against Putin and invasion.] by Robyn Dixon (February 24, 2022) ''The Washington Post''.</ref> The European Union sent lethal aid to Ukraine In response to the invasion and banned Russian planes within their airspace. Ukrainian president [[Volodymyr Zelenskyy]] signed an application for Ukraine to become a member of the EU.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20220228170235/https://twitter.com/KyivPost/status/1498342852723724290 President of #Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky signed an application of Ukraine to become a member of the European Union.] by Kyiv Post (9:02 AM - 28 Feb 2022) ''Twitter'' (archived from February 28, 2022).</ref><ref>[https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-business-europe-olaf-scholz-nato-91c93ef0dc7e759d202c0eee9c070ea5 EU shuts airspace to Russian airlines, will buy Ukraine arms] By Emily Schultheis & Lorne Cook (February 27, 2022) ''AP''.</ref><ref>[https://www.euronews.com/2022/02/27/eu-to-buy-and-deliver-weapons-to-ukraine-the-first-time-the-bloc-has-financed-military-sup Ukraine war: EU to buy and deliver weapons to Kyiv, says Ursula von der Leyen] (05/03/2022) ''Euronews''.</ref><ref>[https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/eu-close-airspace-russia-curb-media-target-belarus-2022-02-27/ EU tightens Russian sanctions and buys weapons for Ukraine] (February 27, 20229:29 AM PST) ''Reuters''.</ref> The entire county of Ukraine is under a Level 4 Travel Advisory due to the ongoing conflict. This means that travel is extremely hazardous. The Federal Aviation Administration has suspended all flights from the United States to Ukraine for the duration of the war. <ref>[https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/ukraine-travel-advisory.html US Embassy in Ukraine], Retrieved on October 12, 2023.</ref>

==History==
[[File:Location of Kyivan Rus.png|thumb|right|165px|Outline of Kievan Rus' in 1054]]
The original form of Ukraine was part of {{wpl|Kievan Rus'}}, the proto-state of what would become Ukrainians, Russians, and [[Belarus]]sians. After the fragmentation of Kievan Rus', and especially the devastation by the Mongol invasion, Ukraine spent most of its early history contested, divided, and ruled by several regional and international powers until the Cossack Hetmanate took power and prospered through the 17<sup>th</sup> and 18<sup>th</sup> centuries until it was conquered by [[Poland]] and Tsarist Russia. 

After the [[Russian Revolution]], a Ukrainian [[nationalist]] movement for self-determination emerged, and the internationally recognized Ukrainian People's Republic was declared on 23 June 1917, before the Bolsheviks invaded in October of that same year and defeated the independence movement by 1921. The Ukrainian SSR was a founding member of the [[Soviet Union]] in 1922. The country regained its independence in 1991, following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. 

Much of modern Ukraine's borders were drawn up by the USSR. What is now Western Ukraine was part of [[Poland]] ({{wpl|Kresy}}) from 1919 to 1945, which Poland itself annexed from the short-lived {{wpl|Ukrainian People's Republic}} in 1918. Józef Piłsudski's Polish government unsuccessfully tried to suppress Ukrainian nationalists in the region, which resulted in {{wpl|Massacres of Poles in Volhynia and Eastern Galicia|retaliatory massacres of Poles}} after the [[Nazi Germany|Nazi German]] occupation.

[[Josef Stalin]] caused [[Holodomor|a famine]] there in 1932, which killed at least 3 million Ukrainians, and after the {{wpl|Reichskommissariat Ukraine|Germans occupied the region in 1941|,}} a further 5 million perished, including 1.6 million [[Jews]]. Surprisingly, it wasn't widely recognized as a genocide until 2022.

In 1954, [[Nikita Khrushchev]] {{wpl|1954 transfer of Crimea|transferred Crimea}} from the Russian SFSR to the Ukrainian SSR, not knowing that it would cause further headaches 60 years later. Russian nationalists, especially those who supported Russia's {{wpl|Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation|annexation of Crimea in 2014}} often make the argument that Khrushchev's transfer was a personal gesture in contravention of the then Soviet Constitution.

Ukrainian history since then was relatively uneventful until 1986, when a [[nuclear power]] plant in [[Chernobyl]] exploded. The region was quickly evacuated and remains a ghost town to this day.

After the breakup of the USSR, no one was quite sure what to do with Ukraine. In 1994, Ukraine would give up its Soviet-era stockpile of nuclear weapons for permanent peace with Russia.<ref>[https://www.icanw.org/did_ukraine_give_up_nuclear_weapons Did Ukraine give up nuclear weapons], ICANW</ref> So far, that treaty has been respected by everyone, and Ukraine has known nothing but peace.....well not really.

{{anchor|Euromaidan}}

==Euromaidan, Crimean crisis, and War in Donbas==
[[File:Petro Poroshenko addresses Euromaidan.jpg|thumb|right|165px|Petro Poroshenko addresses Euromaidan]]
[[File:Ukraine cencus 2001 Ukrainian.svg|thumb|250px|Map showing prevalence of Ukrainian as a mother tongue, according to the 2001 [[census]]. The Crimean peninsula is at the bottom right, the tiny part with 6.8% is Sevastopol. Also note the sharp uptick between oblasts such as Donetsk (24.1%) and Dnipropetrovsk (67%)<ref>[http://www.vox.com/2014/5/8/5695066/this-chart-is-great-news-for-ukraine-bad-news-for-putin This chart is great news for Ukraine, bad news for Putin] by Max Fisher (May 8, 2014, 12:30pm EDT) ''Vox''.</ref>]]

Ukraine was about to sign an Association Agreement with the EU. However, Victor Yanukovych (Yushchenko's former opponent, who was elected President in 2010) canceled preparations for it on 21 November 2013, causing a wave of protests known by a [[Twitter]] hashtag, '''Euromaidan''' (a [[portmanteau]] of "Europe" and ''Maidan Nezalezhnosti'', translated as "Independence Square," the main square of Kyiv). The situation escalated — every attempt at [[Police brutality|forcibly suppressing]] the protests [[revolution|caused them to intensify]], becoming a hotbed for pro-Europeanists and [[nationalist]]s alike.<ref>[http://projekter.aau.dk/projekter/files/201799562/Euromaidan_and_Crimean_Masther_thesis.pdf ''Media’s symbolic power: RT and The Guardian' discursive construction of the Euromaidan protests and Crimean annexation''] by Tomé Filipe Gaspar Jorge (2014) Aalborg University. Master's thesis.</ref> As demonstrators occupied government buildings, clashes between protesters and riot police backed up by "Berkut" special forces led to snipers killing opposition activists.{{efn|Note to politicians: if one of your country's most important monuments turns into this<ref>[[http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/02/22/live-video-and-social-media-updates-from-ukraine/#overview-of-the-days-events-in-video Live Video and Social Media Updates From Ukraine] by Robert Mackey (February 22, 2014, 12:14 pm) ''The New York Times''.</ref> under your watch, say a sweet goodbye to your career.}} Ultimately, Yanukovych signed a compromise deal to restore the 2004 [[constitution]] on 21 February 2014<ref>[http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/21/agreement-on-the-settlement-of-crisis-in-ukraine-full-text Agreement on the Settlement of Crisis in Ukraine - full text] (Feb 2014 10.17 EST) ''The Guardian''</ref> (the fact that the larger Ukrainian Army refused to participate in gunning down protesters was a major factor in this decision) and [[Iron law of institutions|then fled without formally resigning his post]], leaving Chicken Kiev fans jubilant. At least until it was revealed that he'd embezzled significant amounts of money from the Ukrainian treasury and took the cash with him when he fled. He has since reappeared in Russia, maintaining that he is still the legitimate President of Ukraine and that his removal was an illegal ''[[coup d'état]]''. You can bet some Ukrainian hryvnias (and a galleon)<ref>[http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2014/02/protesters-invade-ukranian-presidents-residence.html Ukrainian Protesters Invade President Yanukovych’s Lavish Estate, Find Private Zoo] by Delia Paunescu (2/22/2014 at 10:10 AM) ''New York Magazine''.</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20140609231034/http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2014-06/06/yanukovych-leaks-ukraine Restoring press freedom in Ukraine with the Yanukovych Leaks] by Katie Collins (06 June 14) ''Wired UK'' (archived from June 9, 2014).</ref> what Russia's position is.

Ukraine was not undivided in its opposition to Yanukovych's government. As a general rule, the protests received more support in the western parts of Ukraine. In contrast, the more pro-Russian eastern parts, containing more [[ethnic group|ethnic]] Russians,{{efn|Mainly because of [[ethnic cleansing]] by [[Joseph Stalin]].}} saw counter-protests supporting Yanukovych and even open calls to join Russia. One of the peaks of these sentiments was the Autonomous Republic of Crimea: its "special status" city of Sevastopol includes a major seaport and a Russian naval base.{{efn|Think of it as an Eastern European [[Guantanamo]].}}

The situation got worse after Yanukovych's re-emergence in Russia. Inter-ethnic tensions were exacerbated by a push by the remaining Ukrainian parliament to repeal a controversial 2012 law on regional [[language]]s{{efn|How controversial? It caused a fistfight in the parliament.<ref>{{wpa|Legislation on languages in Ukraine}}</ref> Though fistfights are actually not uncommon in the Ukrainian parliament.}} that, in effect, had made Russian the official language in regions recognized as predominantly Russian. The acting President vetoed the repeal, but the damage was already done.

[[Vladimir Putin]] then ordered an invasion, with militia and soldiers seizing Crimean parliamentary buildings and installing a pro-Russian prime minister. A referendum to [[secede]] from Ukraine (widely denounced as a sham,<ref>[http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-debate/in-crimeas-sham-referendum-all-questions-lead-to-yes/article17396854/ In Crimea’s sham referendum, all questions lead to ‘yes’] by Stephen Saideman (March 10, 2014) ''The Globe and Mail''.</ref> especially considering that members of the "Russian Bloc" party who were installed as the new leaders of Crimea never reached more than 3% before the Russian intervention) passed by 97% on 16 March 2014.<ref>[http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/crimea-votes-to-leave-ukraine-in-secession-referendum-and-join-russia-1.2574719 Crimea votes to leave Ukraine in secession referendum and join Russia] (Mar 16, 2014 8:36 AM ET) ''Associated Press'' via ''CBC''.</ref> By April, separatists stirring shit up in the rest of the country were able to establish an insurgency in the easternmost oblasts of Donetsk and Luhansk (collectively known as the Donbas); in the coastal city of Odessa, a confrontation between pro-Russian and the pro-Ukrainian activists resulted in 42 pro-Russians dying in a fire at a [[trade union]] house.<ref>[http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27275383 How did Odessa's fire happen?] (6 May 2014) ''BBC''.</ref>

On 27 June, the crisis went full circle with the newly-elected President Petro Poroshenko signing the Association Agreement (alongside [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] and [[Moldova]]),<ref>[http://www.dw.de/ukraine-takes-one-step-closer-to-eu/a-17737239 Ukraine takes one step closer to EU] (26.06.2014) ''Deutsche Welle''.</ref> a [[Malaysia Airlines Flight 17|civilian airliner was shot down]], and once it was clear the Ukrainian army would succeed in a bloody summer counteroffensive, over 3,000 Russian troops moved into the Donbas on 28 August in an attempt to freeze the conflict.<ref>[http://nationalinterest.org/feature/mr-putin’s-war—-why-he-continues-deny-it-11205 Mr. Putin’s War—And Why He Continues to Deny It] by Steven Pifer (September 5, 2014) ''The National Interest''.</ref> On 26 October, the first parliamentary elections since the revolution decimated Yanukovych's Party of Regions in favor of pro-European reformers.<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/monkey-cage/wp/2014/10/29/how-putin-turned-ukraine-to-the-west/ How Putin turned Ukraine to the West] by Oxana Shevel (October 29, 2014) ''The Washington Post''.</ref>

This entire escapade doesn't really ''make any sense'' in the long term for the Kremlin (both at the cost of supplying the annexed territory and global [[geopolitical]] risks)<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/monkey-cage/wp/2014/03/06/is-crimean-independence-or-annexation-a-good-outcome-for-russia/ Is Crimean independence or annexation a good outcome for Russia?] by Helena Yakovlev-Golani & Nadiya Kravets (March 6, 2014) ''The Washington Post''.</ref><ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/monkey-cage/wp/2014/03/04/the-failure-of-the-reset-obamas-great-mistake-or-putinss/ The ‘failure’ of the ‘reset:’ Obama’s great mistake? Or Putin’s?] by Daniel Nexon (March 4, 2014) ''The Washington Post''.</ref><ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/monkey-cage/wp/2014/07/20/putins-grand-strategy-is-failing/ Putin’s grand strategy is failing] Joshua Rovner (July 20, 2014) ''The Washington Post''.</ref>, leading some to speculate that Putin may have been losing it.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/08/world/europe/russias-move-into-ukraine-said-to-be-born-in-shadows.html Russia’s Move Into Ukraine Said to Be Born in Shadows] by Steven Lee Myers (March 7, 2014) ''The New York Times''.</ref><ref>[http://www.newrepublic.com/article/116852/merkel-was-right-putins-lost-his-mind-press-conference Putin's Press Conference Proved Merkel Right: He's Lost His Mind] by Julia Ioffe (March 4, 2014) ''The New Republic''.</ref> Even [[China]], when Putin desperately needed allies, had been 
partying
<ref>[http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-11-06/putin-loses-his-grip-on-central-asia-as-china-moves-in Putin Loses His Grip on Central Asia as China Moves In] by Carol Matlack (November 06, 2014) ''Bloomberg Businessweek''</ref> …ahem, notably silent.<ref>[http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2014/03/the-worlds-post-crimea-power-blocs-mapped/359835/ The World's Post-Crimea Power Blocs, Mapped: What does this week's UN vote say about Russia's new place in the world?] by Matt Ford (March 29, 2014) ''The Atlantic''.</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150412231948/http://ajw.asahi.com/article/forum/politics_and_economy/east_asia/AJ201403170046 Beijing's Ukraine dilemma a mix of competing interests] by Jennifer Lind (March 17, 2014) ''The Asahi Shimbun''.</ref>

===Rising pro-Ukrainian nationalism===
{{main|Nationalism}}
The prospect of war against separatism increased Ukrainian nationalist sentiment, which came to a head once Petro Poroshenko became president. President Poroshenko allegedly authorized shelling of civilian targets,<ref>[http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/122468 Latest report by the Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) on Alleged Shelling of Donetsk Hospital and Civilian Buildings] (7 August 2014) ''Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe''.</ref> cutting off their water and state services,<ref>[http://www.kyivpost.com/multimedia/video-2/ukraine-today-ukraine-insurgent-areas-lose-state-services-president-poroshenko-orders-to-cut-off-insurgent-east-video-372024.html Ukraine Today: Ukraine insurgent areas lose state services; President Poroshenko orders to cut off insurgent east (video)] (Jul 30, 2015) ''Ukraine Today''.</ref> and blocking attempts at reform from parliament. 

Poroshenko's nationalist presidency was a reaction to Russian aggression and nationalism in Eastern Ukraine, which exemplifies the problems with wars in general. They inspire [[extremist]]s to take power so they can "defeat" the [[nation-state]]'s enemy. Poroshenko's refusal to stop corruption and unwillingness to purge [[far-right]] Ukrainian nationalists also contributed to a massive humanitarian crisis within Ukraine.<ref>[https://news.vice.com/article/poroshenkos-promises-of-safety-and-peace-ring-hollow-in-eastern-ukraine Poroshenko’s Promises of Safety and Peace Ring Hollow in Eastern Ukraine] by Harriet Salem June 7, 2014, 1:55pm) ''Vice''.</ref><ref>[http://en.censor.net.ua/photo_news/324117/these_savages_use_cluster_munitions_against_civilians_poroshenko_visited_kramatorsk_photos "These savages use cluster munitions against civilians" - Poroshenko visited Kramatorsk] (11.02.15 14:44) ''Censor.net''.</ref><ref>[http://5newsonline.com/2015/01/22/civilians-killed-as-shells-rain-down-in-ukraines-donetsk-region/ Civilians Killed as Shells Rain Down in Ukraine’s Donetsk Region] (4:56 AM CST January 22, 2015) ''5 News'' (CBS).</ref> There are multiple instances of beatings, abductions, and possible executions of local residents by right-wing Ukrainian troops aligned with pro-Ukrainian [[oligarch]]s like Rinat Akhmetov.<ref>[https://www.amnesty.org/en/articles/news/2014/10/eastern-ukraine-conflict-summary-killings-misrecorded-and-misreported/ Eastern Ukraine conflict: Summary killings, misrecorded and misreported] (October 20, 2014) ''Amnesty International''.</ref><ref>[http://europe.newsweek.com/evidence-war-crimes-committed-ukrainian-nationalist-volunteers-grows-269604 Ukrainian Nationalist Volunteers Committing 'ISIS-Style' War Crimes] by Damien Sharkov (9/10/14 at 12:36 PM EDT) ''Newsweek''.</ref><ref>[http://www.hrw.org/news/2014/05/23/ukraine-anti-kiev-forces-running-amok Ukraine: Anti-Kiev Forces Running Amok: Eastern Insurgents Commit Abductions, Beatings] (May 23, 2014 1:05PM EDT) ''Human Rights Watch''.</ref> 

Amnesty International noted that Kyiv's volunteer "territorial defense battalions", such as the {{wpl|Aidar Battalion||,}} {{wpl|Donbas Battalion||,}} and [[Azov Battalion]], were increasingly blocking humanitarian aid into eastern Ukraine.<ref>[https://www.amnesty.org/en/articles/news/2014/12/eastern-ukraine-humanitarian-disaster-looms-food-aid-blocked/ Eastern Ukraine: Humanitarian disaster looms as food aid blocked] (December 24, 2014) ''Amnesty International''.</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150109020250/http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/01/08/us-ukraine-crisis-aid-idUSKBN0KH1VZ20150108 More than one million flee, Ukraine close to 'humanitarian catastrophe'] by Kieran Guilbert (Jan 8, 2015 1:26pm EST) ''Reuters'' (archived rom January 9, 2015).</ref> Similar concerns have been raised about {{wpl|Oleh Lyashko}} and his militia.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20140810071542/http://www.amnestyusa.org/news/news-item/impunity-reigns-for-abductions-and-ill-treatment-by-pro-kyiv-vigilantes-in-eastern-ukraine Impunity reigns for abductions and ill-treatment by pro-Kyiv vigilantes in eastern Ukraine] (August 6, 2014) ''Amnesty International''.</ref> Human Rights Watch noted that Ukrainian government forces and pro-government paramilitaries used unguided, indiscriminate Grad rockets against civilian areas. Amnesty International also dug up several incidents of summary executions by Kyiv's forces.<ref>[http://www.hrw.org/news/2014/07/24/ukraine-unguided-rockets-killing-civilians Ukraine: Unguided Rockets Killing Civilians] (July 24, 2014 2:19PM EDT) ''Human Rights Watch''.</ref><ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2014/07/25/human-rights-watch-ukrainian-forces-are-rocketing-civilians/ Human Rights Watch: Ukrainian forces are rocketing civilians] by Thomas Gibbons-Neff (July 25, 2014) ''The Washington Post''.</ref><ref>[https://www.amnesty.org/en/articles/news/2014/09/ukraine-must-stop-ongoing-abuses-and-war-crimes-pro-ukrainian-volunteer-forces/ Ukraine must stop ongoing abuses and war crimes by pro-Ukrainian volunteer forces] (September 8, 2014) ''Amnesty International''.</ref><ref>[https://www.amnesty.org/en/articles/news/2015/04/ukraine-new-evidence-of-summary-killings-of-captured-soldiers-must-spark-urgent-investigations/ New evidence of summary killings of Ukrainian soldiers must spark urgent investigations] (April 9, 2015) ''Amnesty International''.</ref> Poroshenko's siege tactics on insurgent areas also disproportionately affected civilians.<ref>[http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/122495 Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine based on information received by 18:00 (Kyiv time), 7 August 2014] (8 August 2014) ''Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe''.</ref><ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/15/world/europe/a-ukraine-city-under-siege-just-terrified-of-the-bombing.html A Ukraine City Under Siege, ‘Just Terrified of the Bombing’] by Andrew E. Gramer (Aug. 14, 2014) ''The New York Times''.</ref> And the insurgents have been known to abduct and [[torture]] pro-Kyiv Ukrainians, destroy medical equipment, threaten medical staff, and occupy hospitals while taking hostages.<ref>[http://www.hrw.org/news/2014/08/06/russia-must-recognize-ukraine-rebels-human-rights-abuses Russia Must Recognize Ukraine Rebels' Human Rights Abuses] (August 6, 2014 9:15AM EDT) ''The Moscow Times'' via ''Human Rights Watch''.</ref> Even within Ukrainian domestic politics, Poroshenko consistently showed a distinct lack of will to crack down on oligarchs — since he is himself an oligarch.<ref>[http://foreignpolicy.com/2015/08/25/money-still-rules-ukraine-poroshenko-corruption/ Money Still Rules Ukraine: President Poroshenko talks big about reform — but he’s missing what may be his only chance to break the power of the oligarchs.] by Taras Kuzio (August 25, 2015, 5:36 PM) ''Foreign Policy''.</ref> 

Meanwhile, the government issued bans against 41 international [[journalist]]s considered pro-Russian, which inexplicably includes three [[BBC]] journalists and two Spanish journalists missing in Syria.<ref>[http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/ukraine-bbc-boss-slams-shameful-ban-international-journalists-1520086 Ukraine: BBC boss slams 'shameful' ban on international journalists] by Umberto Bacchi (September 17, 2015 10:35 BST) ''International Business Times''.</ref> [[Troll]]s affiliated with the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) harassed and sent death threats to some Ukrainian journalists accused of treason due to their attempts to cover the war on both sides.<ref>[http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/05/12/ukraine-tries-to-terrify-journalists-who-cover-the-war.html Ukraine Tries to Terrify Journalists Who Cover the War: Government-backed hackers publish information about reporters supposedly aiding the enemy by talking to people on both sides of the war.] by Anna Nemtsova (Published May. 12, 2016 3:15PM ET; Updated Apr. 13, 2017 3:53PM ET) ''The Daily Beast''.</ref> Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk wasn't much better. His hard-on for [[austerity]] included eradicating [[education]], [[healthcare]], unemployment benefits, and social programs to enrich the oligarchs who helped fund his campaign.<ref>[http://www.forbes.com/sites/kenrapoza/2014/02/27/washingtons-man-yatsenyuk-setting-ukraine-up-for-ruin/ Washington's Man Yatsenyuk Setting Ukraine Up For Ruin: Ukraine’s interim prime minister, Arseniy “Yats” Yatsenyuk, may prove to be arsenic to the beleaguered nation.] by Kenneth Rapoza (2/27/2014 @ 4:58PM) ''Forbes''. Even Forbes found him questionable].</ref><ref>[http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/4/7/ukraine-imf-austerityrussia.html Will stark economic pragmatism backfire on Ukraine? IMF-imposed austerity measures could play into Russia’s ploy for a federalized Ukraine] by Michael Pizzi (April 7, 2014 3:00PM ET) ''Al Jazeera America''.</ref>

===Far-right influence in the military===
Although sources like the Russian propaganda site [[RT]] exaggerated the role of the far-right groups (including the {{wpl|Right Sector}}) in the armed conflict, they ''have'' agitated the conflict unnecessarily. At the time, far-right groups may have been growing in influence with the actual Ukrainian army.<ref>[http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/7925dacc-369c-11e5-bdbb-35e55cbae175.html#axzz3iGTUKFKz Fears grow as Ukraine rightwing militia puts Kiev in its sights] by Roman Olearchyk (August 2, 2015 12:00 pm) ''Financial Times''.</ref> At one time, their activities included:
* Committing [[war crimes]] in the separatist-held territories.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160421072429/http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/amnesty-international-says-both-sides-of-ukraine-conflict-guilty-of-war-crimes/522191.html Amnesty International Says Both Sides of Ukraine Conflict Guilty of War Crimes] (May. 24 2015 16:41) ''AP'' via ''The Moscow Times'' (archived from April 21, 2016).</ref>
* [[Homophobia|Assaulting a gay pride march]] in Kyiv.<ref>[https://www.kyivpost.com/content/kyiv-post-plus/right-sector-threatens-kyiv-gay-pride-parade-390397.html Right Sector threatens Kyiv gay pride march (video)] by Johannes Wamberg Andersen (June 6, 2015 at 9:23 am) ''Kyiv Post''.</ref> 
* Disrupting an [[LGBT]] festival in Lviv.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/20/lgbt-festival-in-ukraine-abandoned-after-far-right-protest LGBT festival in Ukraine abandoned after far-right protest: Rightwing groups surrounded hotel in Lviv where about 70 participants in the equality festival had gathered] by Shaun Walker (20 Mar 2016 12.42 EDT) ''The Guardian''.</ref> 
*[[Antiziganism|Committing violence against Romani people.]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/11/29/radicals-target-roma-people-ukraine|title=Radicals Target Roma People in Ukraine|date=November 29, 2021|last=Yakutenko|first=Anna|publisher=[[Human Rights Watch]]}}</ref>

Moreover, the Ukrainian government introduced a blanket ban on Russian social networks, prompting fury among Ukrainian users and reinforcing concerns that Poroshenko was using anti-Russian [[rhetoric]] to divert attention from the country's internal problems (such as corruption, which is the government's direct fault).<ref>[https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/05/16/ukraine-revoke-ban-dozens-russian-web-companies Ukraine: Revoke Ban on Dozens of Russian Web Companies] (May 16, 2017 11:00PM EDT) ''Human Rights Watch''.</ref><ref>[http://www.economist.com/news/europe/21722360-blocking-websites-may-be-pointless-it-could-help-president-poroshenkos-popularity-ukraine Ukraine bans its top social networks because they are Russian: Blocking websites may be pointless, but it could help President Poroshenko’s popularity] (May 19<sup>th</sup> 2017) ''The Economist''.</ref> In the words of Francis Malige, the Director of the European Bank for reconstruction and development in Eastern Europe and the Caucasus, fighting corruption in Ukraine is like sport fishing: "caught, photographed, released".<ref>[https://intmassmedia.com/2017/06/15/ebrd-in-combating-corruption-in-ukraine-compared-with-sport-fishing/ EBRD in combating corruption in Ukraine compared with sport fishing] (June 15, 2017) ''International Massmedia Agency''.</ref> Further controversy was drawn by hastily introduced decommunization laws that effectively outlawed [[communist]] symbols, parties, and expressions of support in the country, while at the same time glorifying the {{wpl|Ukrainian Insurgent Army}} into becoming national heroes, despite their notorious collaboration with Nazis and {{wpl|Massacres of Poles in Volhynia and Eastern Galicia|massacres of ethnic Poles|.}}<ref>[http://www.latimes.com/world/europe/la-fg-ukraine-decommunization-20150513-story.html Ukraine's plans to discard Soviet symbols are seen as divisive, ill-timed] by Sabra Ayres (May 13, 2015) ''Los Angeles Times''.</ref> For instance, a street in Kyiv was renamed after the Ukrainian nationalist {{wpl|Roman Shukhevych}}, a collaborator with Nazi Germany and one of the organizers of [[Antisemitism|anti-Jewish]] and anti-Polish [[ethnic cleansing]].<ref>[https://www.jta.org/2016/05/31/news-opinion/world/ukrainian-authorities-honor-nationalists-whose-troops-butchered-jews Ukraine honors nationalists whose troops butchered Jews] (May 31, 2016 8:52 am) ''Jewish Telegraphic Agency''.</ref>

===President Zelenskyy's reforms and anti-corruption campaign===
[[File:Volodymyr Zelenskyy voted in parliamentary elections (2019-07-21) 05.jpg|thumb|right|165px|Zelenskyy voting in 2019]]
Sick of being dicked around by the major parties backed by corrupt oligarchs, in 2019, the Ukrainian people voted out Poroshenko and voted in [[Volodymyr Zelenskyy]] (Володимир Зеленський), an actor with little political experience who campaigned on the platform of anti-corruption. Before becoming the current President of Ukraine, Zelenskyy was the star of the hit TV series {{wpl|Servant of the People||,}} which, funnily enough, is about an inexperienced teacher who unexpectedly becomes the President of Ukraine following a video railing against government corruption going viral. 

Unlike Poroshenko, Zelensky has been far more hardline against the far-right and [[neo-Nazi]] elements of the military, and many oligarchs and their puppet politicians grew to hate him for his anti-corruption campaign, which, while piecemeal and struggling, had been successful in several areas, including anti-graft measures.<ref>[https://eurasianet.org/ukraines-anti-corruption-effort-struggles-but-soldiers-on Ukraine’s anti-corruption effort struggles, but soldiers on] by Dan Peleschuk (Apr 15, 2021) ''EurasiaNet''.</ref><ref>[https://ecfr.eu/publication/faltering-fightback-zelenskys-piecemeal-campaign-against-ukraines-oligarchs/ Faltering fightback: Zelensky’s piecemeal campaign against Ukraine’s oligarchs] by Andrew Wilson (6 July 2021) ''European Council on Foreign Relations''.</ref> Zelensky signed a motion for Ukraine's parliament to dismiss Prosecutor General Yuriy Lutsenko, who was known for not prosecuting corruption effectively.<ref>[https://www.unian.info/politics/10582563-president-zelensky-signs-motion-for-parliament-to-dismiss-ukraine-s-chief-prosecutor.html President Zelensky signs motion for parliament to dismiss Ukraine's chief prosecutor] (16:25, 11.06.19) ''UNIAN''.</ref> Zelensky's party pushed for laws that reduced the dominance of Ukrainian oligarchs in the [[media]]. However, journalists felt that some of the changes allowed for loopholes that could lead to media [[censorship]].<ref>[https://www.voanews.com/a/press-freedom_journalists-see-specter-censorship-ukraines-proposed-media-laws/6183766.html Journalists See Specter of Censorship in Ukraine's Proposed Media Laws] by Nataliya Leonova et al. )February 05, 2020 2:50 PM) ''VOA News''.</ref><ref>[https://www.kyivpost.com/ukraine-politics/voice-of-america-journalists-see-censorship-in-ukraines-proposed-media-laws.html Voice of America: Journalists see censorship in Ukraine’s proposed media laws] (Feb. 6, 2020) ''Voice of America'' via ''Kyiv Post''.</ref>

In a win for his anti-corruption campaign, Zelensky succeeded in removing legal immunity for Ukrainian members of parliament, allowing them to be investigated and indicted for corruption.<ref>[https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-lifts-prosecutorial-immunity-for-members-of-parliament/30333220.html Ukraine Lifts Prosecutorial Immunity For Members Of Parliament] (December 19, 2019 00:02 GMT) ''Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty''.</ref> He wanted all lawmakers, diplomats, and judges to be barred from prosecutorial immunity. Zelensky, before 2022, was pushing for a peaceful resolution to the War in Donbas, but negotiations upset many Ukrainians who wanted a harder line against the separatists.<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-49903996 Ukraine conflict: Anger as Zelensky agrees vote deal in east] (2 October 2019) ''BBC News''.</ref> When negotiations stalled, Zelensky changed course, devising a strategy for reintegrating Crimea and Sevastopol within Ukraine.<ref>[https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-polytics/3214479-zelensky-enacts-strategy-for-deoccupation-and-reintegration-of-crimea.html Zelensky enacts strategy for de-occupation and reintegration of Crimea] (24.03.2021 16:50) ''Ukrinform''.</ref> Americans may also know Zelensky from [[Donald Trump]]'s [[Trump-Ukraine scandal|attempts to blackmail him]] for dirt on [[Joe Biden]] and his son.

====From comedian to war hero====
But with the advent of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Zelensky became a national hero for leading his country and rallying his people against the invaders while also pushing for empathy towards the Russian people, fair treatment of Russian POWs, and defiance in the face of potential death,<ref>[https://www.dw.com/en/ukraines-volodymyr-zelenskyy-from-comedian-to-national-hero/a-60924507 Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy: From comedian to national hero: Volodymyr Zelenskyy was seen by many as a comic actor who stumbled into the presidency. During the Russian war on Ukraine, however, the 44-year-old has matured into a respected statesman.] by Oliver Pieper (26.02.2022) ''Deutsche Welle''.</ref> being an assassination target of Russia.<ref>[https://www.businessinsider.com/volodymyr-zelenskyy-survived-12-assassination-attempts-says-aide-2022-3 Volodymyr Zelenskyy has survived 'more than a dozen' assassination attempts by Russian agents, says presidential aide] by Cheryl Teh (Mar 9, 2022, 9:31 PM) ''Business Insider''.</ref> Even when the Americans offered to evacuate Zelenskyy out of Kyiv, Zelensky refused, saying, "I need ammunition, not a ride."<ref>[https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-volodymyr-zelenskyy-kyiv-poland-europe-c270027c825e009ed66988bb98a3476e Zelenskyy’s unlikely journey, from comedy to wartime leader] by John Daniszewski (February 26, 2022) ''AP''.</ref><ref>[https://www.timesofisrael.com/actor-turned-president-zelensky-grows-on-stage-as-ukraines-war-time-leader/ Actor-turned-president Zelensky grows on stage as Ukraine’s war-time leader] (27 February 2022, 7:47 pm) ''AFP'' via ''The Times of Israel''.</ref> His refusal to allow [[war crimes]] to be committed against Russian POWs also earned him high praise across the world.<ref>[https://fortune.com/2022/02/25/ukraine-invasion-zelenskyy-putin-hungary-soviet-union/ Ukraine president suddenly thrust into hero role, mirrors one of the darkest chapters of the Cold War] by Christiaan Hetzner & Nick Lichtenberg (February 25, 2022 12:49 PM PST) ''Fortune''.</ref>

====Cracking down on oligarchs====
Riding the high of his invasion-era popularity, Zelenskyy used his wartime powers to sign a decree purging oligarchs of their influence in Ukrainian politics and society. Under the new law, an oligarch is identified as someone with  "significant influence on the media; active participation in political life; must be the ultimate beneficial owner of the entity that holds a monopoly position in the market and maintain or strengthen such position for a year in a row; has a proven asset value (and the entities of which it is a beneficiary) of more than 2 billion Ukrainian hryvnias ($67,251,380)." The new law requires officials to disclose connections, outright ''bans'' oligarchs from financing political parties, political ads, or demonstrations and excludes them from the privatization of state assets.<ref>[https://kyivindependent.com/uncategorized/zelensky-signs-decree-to-introduce-register-of-oligarchs "Zelensky signs decree to introduce register of oligarchs," Kyiv Independent]</ref><ref>[https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-polytics/3346130-zelensky-signs-law-on-oligarchs.html "Zelensky signs law on oligarchs
Zelensky signs law on oligarchs," Ukrinform]</ref>

==Russian occupied territories==

[[File:Ukraine disputed regions.svg|thumb|Ukrainian regions annexed by Russia since 2014 (Autonomous Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol) and 2022 (others). The 2022 annexation created a strategic land bridge between Crimea and Russia.]]

In the aftermath of the 2014 Annexation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, two Ukrainian territorial units, known as Luhansk Oblast (or Lugansk Oblast) and Donetsk Oblast, came under siege from pro-Russian separatists. [[Russia]] sowed unrest in Ukrainian territories among ethnic Russian majority populations, taking advantage of the turmoil following Euromaidan.<ref>[https://www.defactoborders.org/places/luhansk-people-s-republic Luhansk People’s Republic] ''De Facto''.</ref> This led to the current military occupation of southeast Ukraine. The occupation ended up expanding significantly after the Russian invasion. As an occupying power, Russia has further violated international law by forcefully depriving people of their property, shut down businesses, crushed civil liberties and removed people from their homes.<ref>[https://www.rulac.org/browse/conflicts/military-occupation-of-ukraine#collapse3accord Geneva Academy], Retrieved on June 8, 2023.</ref> [[Conservapedia]] adamantly supports the Pro-Russian forces. They believe that Ukraine is ran by Nazis, the Euromaidan Revolution was a US backed coup and that a genocide is taking place in the Donbass region; all without evidence. <ref>[https://www.conservapedia.com/Donetsk_People%27s_Republic Conservapedia], Retrieved on September 24, 2023.</ref>

===Republic of Crimea===
[[File:Repin Cossacks.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Ilya Repin's c. 1890 painting "The Zaporozhian Cossacks write a letter to the Sultan of Turkey", which is based on a [[Folklore|folkloric]] letter of repudiation from the Cossacks to the Sultan of [[Turkey]].<ref>{{wpa|Correspondence between the Ottoman sultan and the Cossacks}}</ref> It is nonetheless foreshadowing of Ukraine's response to Putin's invasion.<ref>[https://www.counteroffensive.news/p/where-ukraines-eff-you-attitude-comes Where Ukraine’s eff-you attitude comes from] by Anastasiia Kryvoruchenko et al. (Aug 23, 2025) ''The Counteroffensive with Tim Mak''.</ref>{{efn|One of the numerous variants of the letter reads: {{blockquote|The cursed Sultan, Turkish Caesar's son, and attendant of the infernal [[Lucifer]] in the abyss of [[hell]], Turkish emperor, footstool of the [[Greeks]], cook of [[Macedonia]]ns, locksmith of [[Babylonian]]s, wheelwright of [[Jerusalem]], drunkard of Assyria, swineherd of greater and lesser [[Egypt]], sausage of Alexandria, and [[dog]] of [[Armenian]]s, the cursed childish knave upon [[earth]] and the world, the great fool of Kamenets-Podolsky and the country, and a nasty [[Fun:Pig||pig]] in the world, the Turkish biter of men, the commander of the whole hellish empire in the deep abyss of hell, an angel of the infernal devil, a mocker of the [[Jesus|crucified God]], enemy and persecutor of his servants, below all those who live above, the downfaller of the bishop men: We report to you that we have no thoughts of surrendering to you, but are bravely, manfully, and eternally resolved to fight you and whomever you call a fellow, together with a great monarch whom, according to your legends, as a fellow fells the wood in the forest, so he will fall down upon you, and your busurmans, and all your followers, and especially you, who can be compared not to a fellow, but rather to a cursed old woman, if one may even call you so, you sit in a hole like a devil, or a hen-thief, who changes his nest in the war to another, one which shows that you are a fool, instead of the one you call a boy, who is a brave, powerful monarch and invincible king.<ref>[https://iupress.istanbul.edu.tr/en/journal/jses/article/vienna-letter-to-sultan-mehmed-iv-avji-from-ukrainian-cossaks-in-chyhyryn Vienna Letter to Sultan Mehmed IV Avji from Ukrainian Cossaks in Chyhyryn] by Taras Chuhlib (2020) ''The Journal of Southeastern European Studies'' 35:89-96. doi:10.26650/gaad.797502. This version is referenced in part here.</ref>}}}}]]
The flashpoint of the entire Russo-Ukrainian War began in Crimea. In February of 2014 Russia sowed unrest in the Ukrainian Autonomous Republic of Crimea via funding Russian separatist supporters and sending in its own troops. The Russian military and the separatist forces had spread anti-Ukrainian propaganda.<ref>[https://www.britannica.com/place/Ukraine/The-crisis-in-Crimea-and-eastern-Ukraine Britannica], Retrieved on February 12, 2023.</ref> Putin was authorized by the Duma to deploy troops into Crimea in order to "[[Imperialism|protect ethnic Russians from fascism]]". Russian soldiers and Crimean Self Defense militias forcefully removed the Ukrainian loyalist government and replaced it with a Russian separatist government. The occupation administration announced a referendum asking citizens if they wanted to declare independence in order to join Russia or remain in Ukraine.<ref>[https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.theweek.co.uk/news/world-news/russia/956112/a-timeline-of-crimeas-annexation%3famp The Week], Retrieved on February 12, 2023.</ref> The referendum, called an illegitimate sham by most countries, passed by 97℅ of the votes on March 17, 2014. No outside impartial election observers had access into the occupied peninsula during the vote. On March 18 the Autonomous Republic of Crimea declared independence from Ukraine as the "Republic of Crimea". Putin immediately recognized the Republic of Crimea as an independent nation. The next day a treaty was signed that brought the breakaway state into the Russian Federation.<ref>[https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-26248275.amp BBC], Retrieved on February 12, 2023.</ref> Under Russian occupation Crimea has become dangerously xenophobic with foreigners, especially American citizens, being targets of crime. The United States government has put the region under level 4 travel advisory due to the danger from the Russian government.<ref>[https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/russia-travel-advisory.html#:~:text=Crimea%20%E2%80%93%20Level%204%3A%20Do%20Not%20Travel&text=There%20are%20continuing%20abuses%20against,their%20authority%20on%20the%20peninsula. Department of State], Retrieved on February 12, 2023.</ref> Despite the Autonomous Republic of Crimea becoming a police state after the annexation, there has been a dedicated pro-Ukrainian resistance group creating a major headache for the Russian occupation authorities. Their activities have involved sabotage, targeted assassinations and spying. Their activities have ramped up since the full scale invasion of Ukraine.<ref>[https://cepa.org/article/crimeas-partisans-prepare-the-ground-for-liberation/ CEPA], Retrieved on June 23, 2023.</ref> As of September 11, 2023 it has been confirmed that Ukrainian military forces recaptured oil platforms near the Crimean peninsula. This also cut off marine intelligence to Russia. <ref>[https://www.google.com/amp/s/uk.news.yahoo.com/amphtml/ukraine-says-recaptured-black-sea-085423481.html Yahoo News], Retrieved on September 12, 2023.</ref>

In 2014 a number of polls conducted by reputable Western outlets, including both Gallup and Pew, found that a majority of Crimeans across the board both supported the referendum results while also viewing the results as being representative of the views of the majority of the Crimean population.<ref>https://www.usagm.gov/wp-content/media/2014/06/Ukraine-slide-deck.pdf</ref><ref>https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2014/05/08/despite-concerns-about-governance-ukrainians-want-to-remain-one-country/</ref><ref>https://www.voanews.com/a/gallup-poll-shows-wide-political-split-in-ukraine/1930867.html</ref> While there is an obvious caveat of [[selection bias]] at play here, multiple polls across the board show that the majority of the Crimean population as of 2014 supported annexation. 

A report conducted in 2017 found that many Crimeans would vote "yes" again to join Russia if presented with a new referendum, although the Crimean Tatars interviewed were much more skeptical of the current regime. These same Crimeans also reported an increase in price levels as being one of the consequences of joining Russia. There also seems to be a near-unanimous consensus among those interviewed that prior to annexation Crimea was marginalized in Ukraine. There has also been a significant exodus from Crimea, and contact with the rest of Ukraine has significantly diminished after annexation.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20190224203617/https://www.zois-berlin.de/fileadmin/media/Dateien/ZOiS_Reports/ZOiS_Report_3_2017.pdf</ref>

It is, of course, highly doubtful that another ''reliable'' poll will be taken anytime soon. In 2024, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have launched daily aerial attacks against military targets in occupied Crimea. These attacks against the Russian military in Crimea was helped due to the actions of the anti-Russian resistance group ''Atesh''. They have been leaking locations of targets to the Ukrainian military. <ref>[https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.ukrinform.net/amp/rubric-ato/3874426-occupants-are-reducing-number-of-troops-at-some-bases-in-crimea-partisans.html Ukrinforum], Retrieved on June 14, 2024.</ref>

===Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics===
The "Donetsk People's Republic" and "Luhansk People's Republic" are [[terrorist]] organizations currently occupying parts of the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine. They were propped up by the government of Russia to force the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts in the east of Ukraine to secede and become Russian puppet states.<ref>[https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/P-8-2015-013580_EN.html Subject:  VP/HR — Status of the self-declared DPR and LPR] (7 October 2015) ''European Parliament''.</ref> Both organizations have been used by Russia to wage war against Ukraine. As of September 2022, both the Donetsk People's Republic and the Luhansk People's Republic are ''de facto'' subjects of Russia.<ref>[http://www.council.gov.ru/en/structure/regions/ DPR Website], Retrieved on February 12, 2023.</ref>
[[Malaysia Airlines Flight 17]] was shot down by separatists using a sophisticated surface-to-air missile system provided by Russia to the separatists. Three Russians (Igor Girkin, Sergey Dubinsky, and Oleg Pulatov) and a Ukrainian (Leonid Kharchenko) have been charged with murder in the downing of the airplane.<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-48691488 MH17: Four charged with shooting down plane over Ukraine] (19 June 2019) ''BBC''.</ref> Russian Colonel General Nikolai Fedorovich Tkachev of the FSB was identified by Bellingcat as directing the operation.<ref>[https://www.bellingcat.com/news/2020/04/28/burlaka/ Key MH17 Figure Identified As Senior FSB Official: Colonel General Andrey Burlaka] (April 28, 202) ''Bellingcat''.</ref> The trials and investigations are ongoing.

On 27 March 2022, the occupied territories of Luhansk and Donetsk announced a plan to hold a referendum on formally joining Russia. This would be in violation of Ukrainian and international law.<ref>[https://www.newsweek.com/putin-plans-split-ukraine-two-la-koreas-ukraine-intel-chief-1692223 Newsweek], Retrieved on March 27, 2022.</ref>

Referendums were held in the oblasts in question, not organized or recognized by Ukraine or most countries.<ref>[https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/para/lnr.htm Luhansk People's Republic (LNR)] ''GlobalSecurity.org''.</ref> On 21 February 2022, during increased tensions with Ukraine and the West, Vladimir Putin issued a statement recognizing the independence of the DPR and LPR. On September 23, 2022 annexation referendums began in all territories held under military occupation. There are unconfirmed reports of residents being forced to vote at gunpoint.<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-marches-farther-into-liberated-lands-separatist-calls-urgent-referendum-2022-09-19/ Reuters], Retrieved on Sept. 24, 2022.</ref>

The economic situation in these puppet states is awful. Due to the lack of an effective government and what amounts to a [[police state]], there are no real job opportunities, no real system for international trade, and government offices suffer from major in-fighting.<ref>[https://pda.pravda.com.ua/columns/id_7070277/ Чи є сенс у блокаді Донбасу?] by Енріке Менендес (Enrique Menendez) (05.06.2015 13:14) ''Українська правда''. In Ukrainian.</ref> Repurposing a Stalin-era term, men serving in the puppet state armies are nicknamed ''dvadtsatipyatitysyachniki'' (двадцатипятитысячники, "twenty-five thousanders"), implying that they [[Mercenary|serve purely because the salary of 25,000 roubles a month]] is one of the few ways of earning a living. 

Pensioners frequently have to cross tedious blockades to obtain pension benefits from Ukraine's pension system. Corporate takeover is a severe issue that has caused further damage. Long story short, this is what happens when terrorist groups try to function as a government.<ref>[https://www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacje/osw-commentary/2015-06-17/war-republics-donbas-one-year-after-outbreak-conflict The War republics in the Donbas one year after the outbreak of the conflict] by Tomasz Piechal (2015-06-17) ''Center for Eastern Studies''.</ref> Since 2015, all military pay has been issued in United States currency due to the lack of proper economic institutions.<ref>[https://tvrain.tv/news/v_dnr_nachali_vyplachivat_chast_pensij_v_dollarah-389100/ TVrain], Retrieved on July 18, 2023.</ref>

===Zaporizhzhia and Kherson Oblasts===

In the Russian Invasion of Ukraine, the Russian military and it's so-called "People's Militias" invaded the  Zaporizhzhia and Kherson Oblasts. Both oblasts were under effective military occupation. Under Russian [[Military occupation|military occupation]] the human rights situation rapidly deteriorated. Civilians were "evacuated" to Russia when the Ukrainian Armed Forces began a successful counter offensive. The bullshit evacuation was illegal under the Geneva Convention in which a country may not remove people from occupied territory.<ref>[https://cepa.org/article/behind-the-lines-russian-soldiers-seize-ukrainian-homes/ Center for European Policy and Analysis], Retrieved on April 15, 2023.</ref> During the counter offensive the Russian government i.e. [[Vladimir Putin]] begun a series of faux referendums in the occupied territories. Once the referendums concluded, there was supposedly a vast majority of people who voted for joining Russia. After the referendums 
Hitler reincarnated
 Putin recognized Kherson and Zaporizhzhia as independent countries. Hours later both territories were annexed.<ref>[https://www.rulac.org/news/referendums-on-joining-russia-in-luhansk-donetsk-zaporizhzhia-and-kherson-w Geneva Graduate Institute], Retrieved on April 15, 2023.</ref>

===Human rights (or lack thereof)===
{{main|Human rights}}
The human rights situation, as one might expect, is quite dismal. LGBT+ rights groups, political dissidents, and journalists frequently "[[Extrajudicial execution|disappear]]". Many people have faced arbitrary detention. Non-Russian ethnic groups have faced severe persecution at the hands of both the Donetsk People's Republic and the Luhansk People's Republic.<ref>[https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/02/09/ukraine-activists-disappeared-separatist-territory Ukraine: Activists ‘Disappeared’ in Separatist Territory] (Updated February 14, 2017) ''Human Rights Watch''.</ref> 

Donetsk's separatist government is so repressive that it borders on [[totalitarianism]]. At the height of the war in Donbas in 2014, the [[United Nations]] reported growing lawlessness in the region, documenting "targeted killings, torture, and abduction," primarily carried out by paramilitary forces. The UN also reported, "threats against, attacks on, and abductions" of journalists and international observers and the "beatings and attacks" on pro-Kyiv Ukrainians.<ref>[https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Countries/UA/HRMMUReport15May2014.pdf Report on the human rights situation in Ukraine] (15 May 2014) ''Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights''.</ref> A report by [[Human Rights Watch]] said, "Anti-Kiev forces in eastern Ukraine are abducting, attacking, and harassing people they suspect of supporting the Ukrainian government or consider undesirable… anti-Kiev insurgents are using beatings and kidnappings to send the message that anyone who doesn't support them had better shut up or leave."<ref>[https://www.hrw.org/news/2014/05/23/ukraine-anti-kiev-forces-running-amok Ukraine: Anti-Kiev Forces Running Amok. Eastern Insurgents Commit Abductions, Beatings] (May 23, 2014 1:05PM EDT) ''Human Rights Watch''.</ref> [[Amnesty International]] said that they often acted like "renegade gangs", and were implicated in torture, abductions, and [[Extrajudicial punishment|summary executions]].<ref>[https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2014/10/eastern-ukraine-conflict-summary-killings-misrecorded-and-misreported/ Eastern Ukraine conflict: Summary killings, mis-recorded and misreported] (October 20, 2014) ''Amnesty International''.</ref> Ivan Šimonović, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, wrote about the illegal detention, abduction, and intimidation of election officials in both pro-Russian separatist republics.<ref>[https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/uns-ivan-simonovic-fears-ukraine-heading-bloody-balkans-style-war-1449023 UN's Ivan Simonovic Fears Ukraine Heading for Bloody Balkans-Style War] by Mark Piggott (May 18, 2014 11:07 BST) ''International Business Times''.</ref> Members of the Donbas People's Militia engaged in assaults and robbery on the [[Romani]] population of Sloviansk. According to eyewitnesses, the armed separatists beat women and children, looted homes, and carried off the stolen goods in trucks.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20140512231031/http://osce.usmission.gov/may_8_14_ukraine_roma.html Statement of Concern Regarding Attacks on Roma in Ukraine] (May 8, 2014) ''United States Mission to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe'' (archived from May 12, 2014).</ref> The People's Militias are so rabidly homophobic that they will brutally murder gay and trans people for the [[Sarcasm|crime of existing]]. Some officials in the occupied territories [[Doublethink|have denied that LGBTQ people live in the area]], [[Genocide|yet they want to murder them]]. Many people arrested for no reason were coerced into ratting out LGBTQ people or facing torture.<ref>[https://adcmemorial.org/en/articles/columns/homophobia-and-totalitarian-regimes-today/ Anti-Discrimination Centre], Retrieved on April 19, 2022.</ref>

Under Poroshenko, Ukrainian treatment of civilians in the separatist-held territory was not much better. Due to Poroshenko's reliance on the brutality of far-right militias, several volunteer battalions aligned with the far-right committed terrible crimes against civilian populations. These crimes include beatings of civilians, [[rape]], murder, and theft of property.<ref>[https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/11/12/ukraine-war-crimes-arrest-step-toward-justice Ukraine War Crimes Arrest a Step Toward Justice: Legislative Changes Necessary to Account for Grave Crimes] by Yulia Gorbunova (November 12, 2021 9:47AM EST) ''Human Rights Watch''.</ref>

===Annexation of occupied territories===

With Putin's ongoing 
ethnic [[Genocide]]
 "special military operation" in Ukraine, the Russian military has brought parts of the oblasts of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia under military occupation. With the Donetsk People's Republic, the Luhansk People's Republic, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia under partial Russian occupation, Putin organized a sham referendum to annex these territories.<ref>[https://www.greenwichtime.com/news/article/Russia-plans-to-annex-parts-of-Eastern-Ukraine-17474999.php Greenwich Times], Retrieved on September 29,2022.</ref> According to the Pro-Russian separatist leaders, 99% of residents voted in favor of annexation.<ref>[https://www.aa.com.tr/en/russia-ukraine-war/final-vote-count-in-donetsk-referendum-ends-in-favor-of-joining-russia/2696403 Anadolu Agency], Retrieved on September 29, 2022.</ref> Putin formally signed off on the illegal annexation on September 30, 2022. His excuse was, of course, liberating Donbass from the "Satanic western powers". Military analysts believe that the annexation is an excuse for Putin to deploy nuclear weapons to "[[Bullshit|defend Russian territory]]".<ref>[https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-63095436.amp BBC], Retrieved on September 30, 2022.</ref> Despite Putin claiming the Donbass region as Russian territory, the Armed Forces of Ukraine reclaimed the strategic city of Lyman from military occupation.<ref>Kostan Nechyporenko and Duarte Mendonca,[https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/01/europe/ukraine-russia-lyman-donetsk-intl/index.html Russian forces retreat from strategic Donetsk city a day after Moscow’s annexation of the region]. CNN, 2 October 2022.</ref> On November 11, 2022 the city of Kherson and surrounding villages and towns were liberated from Russian military occupation after the Russian military made a humiliating retreat. The population, which [[Irony|supposedly voted in favor of joining Russia, rejoiced as the Russian military fled]].<ref>Luke Harding, [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/nov/12/they-ran-away-like-goats-villagers-celebrate-liberation-in-kherson-region ‘They ran away like goats’: villagers celebrate liberation in Kherson region]. The Guardian, 12 November 2022.</ref>

==Russian invasion of Ukraine==
{{messagebox|info|This section documents an ongoing military event. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses, and initial news reports may be unreliable. The latest updates to this article may not reflect the most current information.}}
{{cquote|The Putin I met with, did good business with, established a NATO-Russia Council with, is very, very different from this almost megalomaniac at the present moment.

The man who stood beside me in May 2002, right beside me, and said Ukraine is a sovereign and independent [[Nation-state|nation state]] which will make its own decisions about security, is now the man who says that [Ukraine] is not a nation state.

I think that Vladimir Putin has a very thin skin and a huge ambition for his country. The Soviet Union was recognised as the second superpower in the world. Russia can't make any claims in that direction. And I think that ate away at his ego.|||Former NATO chief George Robertson in 2023<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd0ek943v7ko As Putin reaches 25 years in power, has he 'taken care of Russia'?] by Steve Rosenberg (December 29, 2024) ''BBC''.</ref>}}

While the Russo-Ukrainian war actually began when Crimea was annexed, and Donbas separatists declared independence, everything came to a head by 2021-2022, when Russia began a massive military buildup along the border of Ukraine. On 24 February 2022, mere days after the eighth anniversary of the military occupation and annexation of Crimea, [[Vladimir Putin]] ordered a 
special military operation
 full-scale invasion of Ukraine, forcing Zelenskyy to order general mobilization for all able-bodied Ukrainian men. Effectively enforcing a gendered ban on who can leave the country.<ref>[https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/801769.html Zelenskyy signs decree declaring general mobilization] (09:00 25.02.2022) ''Ukraine News Agency, Interfax''.</ref><ref>[https://www.dw.com/en/ukraine-president-orders-general-mobilization/a-60908996 Ukraine president orders general mobilization: Men between the ages of 18-60 are prohibited from leaving the country. Ukraine has been "left alone" tom defend itself, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said. (24.02.2022) ''Deutsche Welle''.</ref><ref>[https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/russia-attacks-ukraine-defiant-putin-warns-us-nato-83078619 Russia presses invasion to outskirts of Ukrainian capital] by Yuras Karmanau et al. (24, 2022, 8:47 PM) ''ABC News''.</ref><ref>[https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-news-02-23-22/h_82bf44af2f01ad57f81c0760c6cb697c Ukraine says it was attacked through Russian, Belarus and Crimea borders] by Tim Lister & Julia Kesa (12:41 a.m. ET, February 24, 2022) ''CNN''.</ref><ref>[https://www.npr.org/2022/02/22/1082345068/why-luhansk-and-donetsk-are-key-to-understanding-the-latest-escalation-in-ukrain Why Luhansk and Donetsk are key to understanding the latest escalation in Ukraine] by Joe Hernandez (February 22, 20226:06 PM ET) ''NPR''.</ref> Putin even put his nuclear military forces on alert, dramatically raising the prospect of [[nuclear war]].<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/western-allies-expel-key-russian-banks-global-system-ukraine-fights-2022-02-27/ Putin puts nuclear 'deterrence' forces on alert] by Maria Tsvetkova & Aleksandar Vasovic (February 27, 20225:24 AM PST) ''Reuters''.</ref>

This is the first major European war in decades, the prior being the breakup of [[Yugoslavia]] in the 1990s, which occurred just before Putin took power. It is also the largest conventional war in Europe since [[WW2]]. While Putin argued Ukraine should never join [[NATO]], and Zelenskyy had outright declared Ukraine would not join NATO, Putin invaded the country anyway, a clear act of war of aggression, which is a [[war crime]] in and of itself.<ref>[https://www.un.org/press/en/2022/ga12406.doc.htm As Russian Federation’s Invasion of Ukraine Creates New Global Era, Member States Must Take Sides, Choose between Peace, Aggression, General Assembly Hears] (1 March 2022) ''United Nations''.</ref><ref>[https://thehill.com/opinion/national-security/596791-what-the-un-general-assembly-vote-on-ukraine-tells-us What the UN General Assembly vote on Ukraine tells us] by Dov S. Zakheim (03/04/22 10:00 AM EST) ''The Hill''.</ref><ref>[https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/ihl/WebART/390-550006?OpenDocument Principles of International Law Recognized in the Charter of the Nüremberg Tribunal and in the Judgment of the Tribunal, 1950. Principle VI] ''International Committee of the Red Cross''.</ref> Many point to Putin's own speeches and written articles where he outlined his plans for Ukraine before the invasion: good old Russian [[imperialism]]. The US, NATO, and the EU all sanctioned Russian [[elite]]s and banks for the invasion while providing lethal aid to the Ukrainians against the invading force.<ref>[https://www.vox.com/2022/2/23/22948534/russia-ukraine-war-putin-explosions-invasion-explained Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, explained: Putin’s invasion in February began Europe’s first major war in decades.] by  By Jen Kirby & Jonathan Guyer (Updated Mar 6, 2022, 10:20am EST) ''Vox''.</ref> In response, Ukrainian president Zelenskyy signed a membership application for the EU, firmly putting Kyiv in the western sphere, against Putin's intentions.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20220228165622/https://twitter.com/Denys_Shmyhal/status/1498341178567180294President @ZelenskyyUA signed #EU membership application for #Ukraine. This is the choice of 🇺🇦 and Ukrainian people. We more than deserve it.] by Denys Shmyhal (8:55 AM - 28 Feb 2022) ''Twitter'' (archived from February 28, 2022).</ref>

While there were repeated calls by Ukrainians for a NATO no-fly zone, there was no appetite in NATO or the US for a no-fly zone due to the severe risk of escalation and, therefore, nuclear war between Russia and America who combined have 90% of the world's nukes. A no-fly zone would bar all unauthorized aircraft from flying over Ukraine, which would have to be enforced through military means. It would take one angry Russian fighter pilot shooting at the NATO-aligned air enforcers for war to break out.<ref>[https://www.politico.com/news/2022/03/05/zelenskyy-plea-congress-aid-00014419 Zelenskyy's emotional, direct Zoom plea to Congress: No-fly zone, Russian oil ban, more military aid] by Andrew Desiderio (03/05/2022 12:19 PM EST) ''Politico''.</ref><ref>[https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/why-zelenskyy-won-t-get-nato-no-fly-zone-ukraine-n1290939 Why a no-fly zone in Ukraine would be a catastrophically bad idea: From Moscow any no-fly zone would likely look like step one in a NATO campaign towards regime change.] by Hayes Brown (March 4, 2022, 5:44 PM PST) ''MSNBC''.</ref> 

[[File:Ukrainian_Molotov.jpeg|thumb|right|225px|Ukrainian civilians learning how to make Molotov cocktails to throw at Russian tanks.]]
By March, when calls for a no-fly zone from Ukraine reached their peak, Putin warned that a no-fly zone would be a declaration of war.<ref>[https://www.cbsnews.com/news/putin-warns-against-no-fly-zone-over-ukraine/ Putin warns against creating no-fly zone over Ukraine] (March 5, 2022 / 10:40 AM) ''CBS News''.</ref> Instead, Zelenskyy spoke to US lawmakers in a video call on March 5 2022, and Zelenskyy instead asked for NATO to supply warplanes to Ukraine for use against Russian forces. Poland, in particular, has a fleet of Soviet-made fighter planes, which Ukrainian Air Force pilots were trained to use already and which would require American-made jets to resupply. This would be in addition to anti-armor and anti-air defensive weapons, including surface-to-air missile batteries and anti-tank weaponry, already being sent to Ukraine by NATO.<ref>[https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3169421/ukraine-war-us-poland-working-supplying-russian Ukraine war: US, Poland working on supplying Russian-made jets to Kyiv] (10:00am, 6 Mar, 2022) ''Bloomberg, via ''South China Morning Post''.</ref><ref>[https://www.politico.com/news/2022/03/05/white-house-deal-fighter-jets-ukraine-00014424 White House weighs three-way deal to get fighter jets to Ukraine] by Alexander Ward and Paul McLeary (03/05/2022 07:01 PM EST; Updated: 03/06/2022 11:30 AM EST) ''Politico''.</ref>

Putin's initial plans involved a simultaneous push on all fronts while a mechanized column made its way to blitzkrieg to Kyiv in the north. Despite quick initial gains, Putin's invasion force quickly bogged down due to Ukrainian resistance, poor logistical planning, and lack of supplies.<ref>''[https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/03/europe/russian-convoy-stalled-outside-kyiv-intl/index.html CNN]'', Retrieved on April 25, 2022.</ref> The result was a month-long {{wpl|Battle of Kyiv (2022)|siege around Ukraine's capital}}. The lack of supplies was partly due to the sabotage of Belarusian railways by a loose network of Belarusian sympathizers.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/04/23/ukraine-belarus-railway-saboteurs-russia/The Belarusian railway workers who helped thwart Russia’s attack on Kyiv: A clandestine network of railway workers, hackers and dissident security forces wreaked havoc on supply lines] by Liz Sly (April 23, 2022 at 5:28 p.m. EDT) ''The Washington Post''.</ref>  Unfortunately for Ukraine, the country simply does not have the air force nor armored vehicles necessary to take full advantage of the situation; imagine {{wpl|Highway of Death|what would happen}} to a 40-mile-long column of invading tanks and support vehicles that had run out of gas in NATO territory.  When it became clear that the plan for swift victory by blitzing Ukraine's capital had failed, Russian troops started pulling out of northern Ukraine, followed by a Ukrainian counteroffensive. Casualties among the Russian military, including the {{wpl|Sinking of the Moskva|loss of the flagship of the Black Sea fleet}}, and the separatists have affected the troops' morale. There was even a confirmed case of ''Russian soldiers running over their commander with a vehicle and killing him''.<ref>[https://news.yahoo.com/russian-soldiers-ran-over-commander-164118169.html?fr=sycsrp_catchall Yahoo], Retrieved on March 26, 2022.</ref>

===Cultural impact===

The invasion of Ukraine resulted in significant anti-war movements across the world, particularly in the Western world. It became a major fixture of political discourse, especially online. Adding a Ukrainian flag to your [[Twitter]] handle, [[Facebook]] profile picture, and similar on other platforms, became commonplace [[slacktivism]]. NAFO (North Atlantic Fellas Organization) is an online movement that officially combats Russian propaganda and trolls, and also fundraises things related to the Ukrainian war effort. Engaging in online battles of words and memes, their variety of shitposting for a good cause, as with other troll groups, can turn into harassment.<ref>https://www.economist.com/europe/2022/08/31/a-virtual-army-of-impish-cartoon-pooches-is-waging-war-on-russia</ref><ref name="nafo-york">{{Cite news |last=Pearson |first=Pez |date=15 August 2022 |title=The doges of war: how a Twitter meme is helping fight the Russian war in Ukraine |url=https://yorkshirebylines.co.uk/news/world/the-doges-of-war-how-a-twitter-meme-is-helping-fight-the-russian-war-in-ukraine/ |magazine=Yorkshire Bylines |access-date=28 August 2022 |archive-date=28 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220828204038/https://yorkshirebylines.co.uk/news/world/the-doges-of-war-how-a-twitter-meme-is-helping-fight-the-russian-war-in-ukraine/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="nafo-vice">{{Cite news |last=Gault |first=Matthew |date=12 July 2022 |title=Shitposting Shiba Inu Accounts Chased a Russian Diplomat Offline |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/y3pd5y/shitposting-shiba-inu-accounts-chased-a-russian-diplomat-offline |magazine=Vice |access-date=28 August 2022 |archive-date=28 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220828133348/https://www.vice.com/en/article/y3pd5y/shitposting-shiba-inu-accounts-chased-a-russian-diplomat-offline |url-status=live }}</ref> Some NAFO folks have also extended an anti-Russian stance into an anti-Armenian stance, defending Azerbaijan's actions as they [[Azerbaijan#Armenia_and_the_Nagorno-Karabakh_dispute|cause a humanitarian crisis in the disputed territory of Artsakh]].

On the opposing side of the divide regarding Ukraine, many [[tankies]] have staunchly defended Russia, despite the nation not being communist (it's claimed to be partly so under [[Putinism]]<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20181224084557/https://tass.com/politics/1037030 Putin says restoration of socialism in Russia impossible: The Russian leader stressed that "certain elements of socialization of economy and social sphere are possible"] (December 20, 2018) ''TASS'' (archived from December 24, 2018.</ref>) and [[hypocrisy|anti-imperialism supposedly being a core belief]], claiming that the existence of the Azov Batallion means the entire nation of Ukraine is made up of Nazis.<ref>https://abovethelaw.com/2022/03/tankies-sinking-in-ukraines-muddy-fields/</ref> It is also generally associated with a worldview that sees anything related to the United States or the [[Western world|west]] as bad no matter what and [[my enemy's enemy]]. Many U.S. conservatives also started to support Russia's invasion, in great part due to [[Donald Trump]]'s history with foreign relations.<ref>https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholasreimann/2022/02/23/these-conservatives-are-defending-russia-in-ukraine-crisis-and-trump-leads-the-way/?sh=5ceb771f78cf</ref> 

Unfortunately, the war was associated with a rise in [[xenophobia]]. Russians, regardless of their position on the war, and even those who had not lived in the nation for years, faced discrimination because of the conflict.<ref>https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/03/08/opinion/this-is-putins-war-anti-russian-xenophobia-wont-save-ukraine/</ref> Even Ukrainians have been targeted because they are confused for Russians.<ref>https://www.seattletimes.com/business/russian-businesses-in-us-face-backlash-from-war-in-ukraine/</ref>

Unsurprisingly, a major peer-level conflict in Europe has produced a number of conspiracy theories. Some of these have been part of Russian propaganda, such as the claim that Russia's invasion was justified by the presence of US biological laboratories in Ukraine which were supposedly developing biological weapons.<ref>https://www.npr.org/2022/03/22/1087991730/russia-claims-u-s-labs-across-ukraine-are-secretly-developing-biological-weapons</ref> Probably the most bizarre conspiracy theory is [[Denialism|that the war is entirely fabricated]] despite the war being perhaps the best documented in history, with combat footage freely available from both sides.<ref>https://www.vice.com/en/article/88qwbx/far-right-conspiracy-theory-wants-you-to-think-ukraine-war-staged</ref>

===Potential diplomacy===

With the conflict dragging on well over its third year, calls for peace talks have been echoed by some world leaders. Nine months into the conflict, US President [[Joe Biden]] encouraged peace talks to prevent an indefinite war,<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2022/11/05/ukraine-russia-peace-negotiations/ Washington Post], Retrieved on November 7, 2022.</ref> though emphasis remains on supporting Ukraine until it can negotiate from a strong, winning position. Around the same time India proposed that it could be a potential mediator in ending the conflict due to having ties with both eastern and western nations.<ref>[https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.deccanherald.com/amp/international/world-news-politics/could-india-help-broker-peace-in-ukraine-1160013.html DeccanHearld], Retrieved on November 7, 2022.</ref> China has also purposed a "peace plan" or a map to peace that really does nothing to actually resolve the conflict. It claims to respect territorial integrity, rebuilding infrastructure, help with humanitarian efforts, further peace talks and "stopping unilateral sanctions". Basically a glorified ceasefire that favors Russia.<ref>[https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/zxxx_662805/202302/t20230224_11030713.html PRC Ministry of Internal Affairs], Retrieved on May 30, 2023.</ref>

=="The" Ukraine==
Ukraine is sometimes called "the Ukraine," which annoys 
the
 Ukrainians, although this practice is dying out.<ref>[http://mentalfloss.com/article/32098/why-did-ukraine-become-just-ukraine Why Did "The Ukraine" Become Just "Ukraine"?] by Matt Soniak (Jan 2, 2013) ''Mental Floss''.</ref> The reasoning for this is based on etymological debates over the origins of the word ''Ukraine'': a popular version is that it comes from a Slavic word corresponding to "frontier" or "borderland"<ref group=note>"Окраина" (''Okraina''), "border" or "outskirts" in modern Russian, vs "Украина" (''Ukraina''), the word for Ukraine in modern Russian.</ref> — hence ''the'' ukraine ("the borderland"). However, Ukrainians themselves would call the border ''кордон '' (''kordon'') and the borderland ''околиця'' (''okolytsia''). Still, neither Russian nor Ukrainian were the sources of this word, while Church Slavonic and Old Ruthenian were - and indeed it had such word as "Oukraina";<ref>[http://litopys.org.ua/ipatlet/ipat28.htm]</ref> with meaning almost similar to "march", the element which exists nowadays in names such as Denmark. Moreover, there were several "Ukraines" in regions of Central Russia or the Don river basin. The very word "Ukraine", meaning "frontier", in the lands of the Dnieper basin appeared in Polish in the Early Modern period, from which modern Ukrainian, Russian, etc., uses are stemmed. A similar division manifests as Russians prefer using "на Украине" (''на Украине''; on the Ukraine) instead of "в Украине" (''v Ukraine''; in Ukraine).  It's a [[manufactroversy]], but you can think of "Ukraine" as referring to the country and "the Ukraine" as referring to the region. Though both Russians and Ukrainians historically were using both forms despite the meaning they implied in it, be it region or nation-state. As well as other Slavic nations - no Ukrainian would mind if some Western Slavs were using the preposition "na".

==See also==
*[[Chernobyl]]
*[[Holodomor]], the [[genocide]] perpetrated by the [[Soviet Union]] against the Ukrainian people (as well as other peoples such as the [[Moldova|Moldovan]] people).
*[[Paul Manafort]], an [[American]] political consultant working for [[Trump]] who was very active in Ukraine
*[[Fun:Vatnik argument bingo: Ukraine edition]]
*[[Vladimir Putin]], the [[Russia]]n President who annexed Crimea in 2014, backed separatists in Donbas, and invaded Ukraine by 2022.
*[[Russia]] - Ukraine’s ultimate nemesis and oppressor.

==External links==
* [https://youtu.be/wjU-ve4Pn4k The Dumbest Arguments About Russia's War on Ukraine ]
*A [[dog]] tries to [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgQNaj8w13I sing the Ukrainian national anthem]
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2nklduvThs Everything you wanted to know about Ukraine but were too afraid to ask]
*[http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/ukraine/ What can history teach us about the unrest in Ukraine?] and [http://www.historytoday.com/blog/2014/03/ukraine-and-russia’s-history-wars Ukraine and Russia's History Wars] (discussing the frequent bitch-fighting by Ukrainian and Russians about what part of Slavic [[history]] is actually theirs)
*[http://warontherocks.com/2014/03/lets-slow-roll-any-moves-toward-crimean-war-ii/ Let's slow roll any moves toward Crimean War II]
*[[Eurosceptic]]s, yes, [http://carnegieeurope.eu/strategiceurope/?fa=54743 this is partly your fault.]

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=note}}

==References==
{{reflist|2|80%}}
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[[Category:Conspiracy theorist scapegoats]]
[[Category:European countries]]
[[Category:Ongoing armed conflicts]]
[[Category:Territorial disputes]]
[[Category:Ukraine| ]]

Categories: Conspiracy theorist scapegoats, European countries, Ongoing armed conflicts, Territorial disputes, Ukraine