Five facts you need to know about Ukraine to understand the current conflict with Russia

This Thursday the world woke up with its eyes on Ukraineas the country became a target of Russian military intervention.

For a long time, the annexations of territory and wars since the dismemberment of the Soviet Union, in 1991, have been part of its historical elements.

Here we will explain some important data What you need to know to fully understand the historical event that both territories currently live.

1. The Russian and Ukrainian peoples they share a lot in commonas well as the millennium of history with roots traced back to Kievan Rus’ (a medieval Slavic state with Kiev as its capital, occupying present-day parts of Ukraine and Russia): the territory extends to the Soviet Unionpassing through the Russian Tsarist Empire.

Panic broke out in Ukraine due to the Russian attack: the soccer league, the Davis Cup are suspended and foreign athletes seek to leave the country

two. After the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917, Ukraine became a Soviet republic; but, after its independence in 1991, tensions with Russia increased, although they culminated in 2014 with a pro-Western revolution (also called “color revolution”), which is characterized by the use of non-violent direct action, according to its supporters, and also marked by a speech of the west.

3. The breakdown intensified when an uprising replaced the president of Ukraine (Viktor Yanukovych), who had good relations with Russia. The current government has clear leanings towards the West.

President Volodymyr Zelensky, a 44-year-old former comedian with no political experience, came to power in 2019 with the promise of zero tolerance towards corruption.

Álex Tienda narrates the Russian attack from Ukraine: the Mexican youtuber ran with other correspondents looking for a refuge

However, their fight has stalled, drawing criticism from Western countries and international donors.

Four. In that same year (2014) Russia decided to annex the Crimean peninsula (south), and since then has supported the separatist rebels located in eastern Ukraine.

This caused Russia to concentrate thousands of soldiers on the borders with Ukraine this year. In addition, Vladimir Putin recognized on February 21 the independence from the self-styled breakaway republics of Donetsk and Lugansk, announcing the deployment of troops in those areas.

5. recent events raise the specter of the Cold War. The background to this crisis is Russia’s refusal to accept the rapprochement of NATO and the European Union to the former Soviet republic, which Moscow considers part of its identity and space of influence. The Russian leader believes that both countries make up “one people”. (I)

President of Ukraine decrees general mobilization for war with Russia and imposes martial law

More news about the conflict between Russia and Ukraine