Ukraine and Russia’s war has created mass destruction in both countries. The animosity between them didn’t start this year or in the previous year. The seed of hostility was thrown in the 20th century itself and now what you people see is the tree of that seed thrown back over a century ago. So, What is the history behind them? and what was the conflict that brought them to this stage?. Let’s dig in
What was their Origin?
Russia and Ukraine share the same ancestry dating back over a millennium and they speak nearly the same language. Russian is a Slavic term and they are the descendants of Vikings who are named Scandinavian with red hair and conquered the Slavic tribes. This is the start of both the countries. Kyiv, the capital of current Ukraine holds great significance for both peoples.
During the 1840s, The Moscow based Russian Tsars included Ukraine as part of their empire but both the countries had some differences. To ensure unity within, The tsars prohibited the teaching and practise of the Ukrainian language. This angered the people in Ukraine.
Beginning of Conflict
By 1922, The tsars were dethroned and became the soviet union with governance and Industrial plans and still, Ukraine was part of Russia. In the 1930s, Ukraine felt they were in the clutches of the infamous Stalin. The Soviet famine is also known as Holodomor left millions dead in the union and most of them were Ukrainians.
When the second world war began, Stalin conquered eastern Poland On the other hand, Nazi Germany invaded the soviet union in the 1940s. Here Ukraine didn’t stand for Russia but fought against Russia along with Nazi Germany and its allies. At the end 0f war, Victory was on the side of the Soviet Union aka Russia. Stalin didn’t forget or forgive Ukraine. To teach a lesson for this act, he sent most of the Ukrainian people to Siberian work camps known as gulags. Ukraine also lost one-fifth of its Population to the second world war itself.
In 1945, The soviet leader Nikitha Krushev, of Ukrainian descent gifted Crimea to Ukraine some say the gift was as an apology for What Stalin did. This was not acceptable at that time and the exact reason is still unknown.
In 1991, communist RHistory behind Ukraine and Russiaussian got crumbled When the west emerged victorious in the cold war using this opportunity Ukraine declared its independence on 24th August 1991 with numerous newly found republics or states. From there, Ukraine didn’t follow the laws of the USSR but followed the laws of Ukrainian SSR.
Mini War before 8 years from now
After independence, Victor Yanukovych became Ukraine’s President in 2013. Small note, He won both the elections of 2001 and 2010. To the Ukrainian people, Victor was a villain because he wanted Ukraine to be loyal to Russians rather than with Europe and US. To make this happen he didn’t sign any trade agreement or military ties with them. This made the people of Ukraine kick Victor Yanukovych out of President’s office and set up governance that would like to join with Europe.
In 2014, Russia conquered Crimea and sent soldiers to eastern Ukraine claiming that this act was only to help people who wants to be a part of Russia. This single event had brought 14,000 people to the deathbed and 1 million to flee out of the country in fear.
In fact, 8 years back Russia showed a trailer picture of war to the Ukrainian people.
Causes of the current war
Last year, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky asked US president Joe Biden to let Ukraine join NATO. This angered Russia because there’s a deal signed between both the countries that Ukraine will not join hands with NATO. To show disappointment, In that same year, Putin sent soldiers for training exercises to the border. This was when President Joe Biden warned of imposing sanctions in Russia if they tried to do any kind of reckless action.
Despite the warning, Russia was stubborn and announced war against Ukraine. Even Russian people don’t want this war to happen if they voice out definitely prison will be their destination. To help Ukraine most of the European countries and the US are fighting against Russia.
Meanwhile, three to four round table talks were held between Ukraine and Russia but the word peace is far away from the sight.
Today is the mark of Russia and Ukraine’s 13th day in War. The animosity they had for one other brought them to this stage. I hope to update the article with the sub-heading End of war in a few days. Let’s hope for the best.
