Russia-Ukraine War: Why did Russia attack Ukraine? Timeline of events that led to invasion

Ukraine was a cornerstone of Soviet Union during Cold War. It was  second–most populous and powerful of fifteen Soviet republics, hub of   union’s agricultural production, defense industries, and military, including Black Sea Fleet and some of nuclear arsenal. Nearly three deces since disintegration of Union, and iits ndependence, Ukraine has sought to forge its own path as a sovereign state. But as a former Soviet republic Ukraine h deep social and cultural ties with Russia, until 2014. 

Russia and Ukraine have been locked in a bitter conflict since 2014 when Ukraine's Kremlin-friendly leer was driven from office by a popular uprising. Moscow responded by annexing Crimean Peninsula and n backing a separatist insurgency in eastern Ukraine, where fighting has killed over 14,000 people. 

A 2015 peace deal brokered by France and Germany helped halt large-scale battles, however, regular skirmishes have continued, and efforts to reach a political settlement have stalled. situation began getting out of control in early 2021. Russia, which h long resisted Ukraine's move towards European institutions, was miffed with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urging US President Joe Biden to let country join NATO.

Why did Russia attack Ukraine?

As a result, Russia started sending troops near border it shares with Ukraine for training exercises in spring last year and increased it during autumn. By  February, Russia has massed well over 100,000 troops near Ukrainian border, as per US estimates, which warned of an invasion any time.  

reafter,  on February 21, Putin ordered troops into two breakaway regions-Luhansk People's Republic and Donetsk People's Republic- in eastern Ukraine, after recognizing m as independent states. Russia said troops have t yet been deployed but will be "peacekeeping" in regions, which it has backed since 2014.

In response, on February 22, US imposed sanctions on Russian-controlled companies, two Russian banks and prevented Russia from accessing Western financial institutions. Or Western allies, including European Union, United Kingdom, Australia, Cana, and Japan, have also imposed sanctions on Moscow and Germany has stalled its Russia-to-Germany rd Stream 2 gas pipeline project.

t even two days after imposition of sanctions, on February 24, Russia ordered military operations in Eastern Ukraine's Donbass. Anuncing a special military operation in Ukraine earlier in day, Russian President Vlimir Putin h said that motive behind it was t to 'capture ' Eastern European country but just to 'demilitarize'. Urging  Ukrainian troops in Donbass to give up ir weapons and 'go home', Putin h said that fight between Russian and Ukrainian soldiers was 'inevitable'.