The Ukraine War is an ongoing conflict between Ukrainian government forces and Russian-backed separatist movements in the eastern regions of Ukraine. Since the war began in 2014, it has claimed the lives of more than 13,000 people and displaced an additional 1.5 million. The conflict has also exacerbated regional tensions between Russia and its former Soviet satellites, sparking harsh economic sanctions against Russia and a series of retaliatory moves from Moscow. To understand the complexities of the Ukraine War, it is important to look back across the timeline of events that led up to and continue to unfold during its prolonged existence.
Background and Causes of the Ukraine War
The Ukraine War is rooted in centuries of internal and external conflict in the region. It can be traced back to the Soviet Union’s dissolution in 1991, since which time Ukraine has sought to develop an independent identity, while Russia has maintained close political and cultural connections. This has led to tensions between the two countries, which reached a boiling point in 2014.
The conflict began with a series of anti-government protests in Ukraine’s capital of Kiev which sought to oust the pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych. In response, the Kremlin sent troops and backed a separatist insurrection in the eastern provinces of Ukraine. Hostilities have continued ever since, and have provided a catalyst for economic sanctions and a series of retaliatory measures from both sides. This includes the annexation of the Crimean peninsula by Russia in 2014 and the shooting down of a passenger airliner in eastern Ukraine by a Russian-backed missile in July 2014.
Timeline of Events
November 2013: The Ukrainian protests, known as the “EuroMaidan” revolutionary movement, begin in Kiev’s central square. The unrest leads to the ousting of pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych.
February 2014: Russian forces take control of Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula and the regional parliament votes to join the Russian Federation.
March-April 2014: Pro-Russian separatists seize control of government buildings in eastern Ukrainian cities, sparking a series of confrontations between Ukrainian security forces and Russia-backed insurgents.
May 2014: Pro-Russian separatists challenge Kiev’s rule in eastern Ukraine, holding a referendum vote in the Donbass region and proclaiming the Donetsk and Luhansk “people’s republics.”
June-July 2014: A separatist-fired surface-to-air missile downs a Malaysian Airlines passenger jet, killing all 298 passengers and crew. Fighting between Russian-backed insurgents and Ukrainian forces intensifies in the summer months.
August 2014: Russian President Vladimir Putin recognizes the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk republics, claiming that he is defending the rights of Russian-speaking minorities in eastern Ukraine.
September 2014: As fighting between Ukrainian security forces and pro-Russian separatists intensifies, the Kremlin sends troops and weapons to support the separatists.
October 2014: Ukrainian government forces launch a second major offensive against the separatist stronghold, inflicting heavy casualties and capturing more than a dozen towns and cities, including Donetsk and Luhansk.
December 2014: Ukrainian forces launch a third major offensive, capturing the coastal city of Mariupol.
January-February 2015: As the fighting continues, Western countries impose harsh economic sanctions on Russia in response to its backing of the separatists.
March 2015: After more than five months of heavy fighting, the Ukraine conflict takes on a stiller air. Ukrainian government forces and pro-Russian separatists sign the Minsk II ceasefire agreement.
April-May 2015: In spite of the Minsk II agreement, fighting continues in eastern Ukraine. Ukrainian government forces and pro-Russian militias remain locked in a stalemate.
June 2015-Present: The conflict continues to simmer in eastern Ukraine. Despite peace talks and ceasefires, occasional bouts of violence still occur. As the Ukraine War enters its fifth year, there is no end in sight.
Impact and Consequences of the War
The heightened tensions between Russia and Ukraine have had far-reaching implications beyond just the conflict itself. The political and economic environment of the entire region has been heavily impacted by the war.
The sanctions imposed on Russia in 2014 have had a crippling impact on its economy. Russia’s GDP fell by more than 3 percent in 2015, and the ruble has suffered a sharp decline in value. The sanctions also have a debilitating effect on the economies of the EU countries that are close to Russia, each of whom have seen a downturn in economic activity as a result.
The Ukraine War has also exacerbated regional tensions between Russia and the other former Soviet republics. This has led to the deployment of missiles and military equipment to NATO countries near Russia’s borders and a series of retaliatory moves from Moscow. As the conflict drags on, it is likely that these problems will only worsen.
The Ukraine War has had a devastating impact on the region, claiming the lives of more than 13,000 people and displacing 1.5 million others. With no resolution in sight, the conflict continues to worsen – both economically and politically. The timeline of events outlined in this article highlights the complexity of the conflict and sheds light on its potential consequences. As the world watches and waits to see what the future holds, the conflict appears to be far from over.