Why has Russia invade Ukraine? : If you have lately browsed any news channel or read an article, you must have come across the news of Russia attacking Ukraine or heading “Russia Invasion of Ukraine”. This news has gathered a lot of attention because it can be the very beginning of the third world war that the world cannot afford. The incident is not usual as this is a war between a U.S. ally and Russia, two of the strongest military in the world. Till now, Russia has captured major regions of Ukraine, but Ukraine soldiers are fighting their struggle. Eventually, Ukraine will collapse, but this collapse will shake the world order too. Everyone will be affected, starting from the richest to the common man. The rising crude oil prices are one of the ripple effects that you must have witnessed. The other is the metal Nickel which rose to 90% today because Russia is the second-largest producer of Nickel.
Russia started the attack on 24 February 2022, just after the winter Olympics in China ended, it was a pre-planned assault by Russia, the third most powerful country that attacked Ukraine by air, land, and sea, Russia has launched a deadly attack on Ukraine, a democratic country. It also shows that China was aware of the fact that Russia was going to attack Ukraine. The Russian forces have been bombing major cities of Ukraine. Now let’s see why this happened at the first place.
Why Did This Happen?
It is the most dangerous situation between Moscow and NATO. Ukraine’s closer ties with the European Union and NATO have angered Russia, parting its way from Russia. Ukraine was part of Russia before the fall of the USSR. Ukraine shares a strong social and cultural tie stretching back to the Middle Ages. Russia did not wanted Ukraine to align with NATO or European Union. This was quite evident as before the assault, Russian President Vladimir Putin made clear that he considers Ukraine’s place to be in Russia’s fold. This is not just an invasion it is a threat to the world’s peace; this is the gravest security crisis that the world has seen after World War II. The most serious threat is the Vladmir Putin warning to use nuclear missiles, this is a serious threat as this will male this world a battleground that will engulf many civilizations with it. For months, President Vladimir Putin denied the claim that he would invade Ukraine but the west continuously warned the world about the incident.
Why have Russian troops attacked?
In a predawn tv address, Putin claimed that Russia could not feel safe because of what he claimed that Ukraine was a constant threat. Immediately after he made the announcement, airports and military headquarters were attacked. After this, the tanks and troops rolled in from Russia, Russia-annexed Crimea and its ally Belarus. After this, warplanes started bombing major cities to gain control of major cities. Meanwhile, Russia continued to deny the claim or the word invasion. It claimed that the end goal was to protect people subjected to bullying and genocide and aim for the “demilitarisation and de-Nazification” of Ukraine. To be frank, there is no Genocide. It is a false claim by Russia.
Vladimir Putin does not want a free Ukraine.
As discussed above, after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Ukraine gained independence. In 2013 Ukraine’s president, Viktor Yanukovych, wanted Ukraine to be loyal to Russia. He did not sign an agreement that would have brought Ukraine closer to Europe. Ukrainians protested. Yanukovych was kicked out of the office and elected a government that favored NATO and the European Union. This marked the beginning of the cold war, Vladimir Putin claimed that many wanted (Ukrainians) to be with Russia despite these protests, but this was not the case. The real cause of worry for him was that Ukraine would join a military alliance with the U.S. and Europe that would threaten Russia.
In 2014, Russia attacked a part of Ukraine called Crimea and annexed it. After that, it sent soldiers and weapons to eastern Ukraine, claiming to help people. But due to his actions, about 14,000 people have died, and 1 million people have fled to escape the fighting.
How dangerous is this invasion for Europe?
Ukrainians live in a city with raining bombs, and civilians rush to Cold War-era bomb shelters. Thousands of people have already lost their lives, and many more are going to, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has dubbed “Putin’s war.” The ongoing war has forced many to live in their own country and go to nearby countries. This is a threat to the Europe and NATO countries as they share borders with Ukraine, and if this escalates, it could lead to a world war that no one has seen in their entire life.
The current war
On 24 February 2022, Putin again claimed that Ukrainians and Russians are one country. He sees Ukrainians and Russians as brother nations and says that he must be in charge since Russia is a bigger brother. Putin invaded, and this time he wanted to take the entire country. Ukrainians are fighting their wars and defending their country. Let’s wait for how many days they will be able to do that. In Russia, people have no say in the policies of the government. They are protesting against the government, but as usual, Russia does not care about that.
Closing Lines
The Russian president will not stop even after he gains control over Ukraine. He is trying to redraw the world map based on his idea. He will build the old USSR. Th other demands that he has put Infront of Nato to remove its forces and military infrastructure from member states that joined the alliance in 1997 that NATO has blatantly rejected. The threat is if any miscalculation happens from any side, it will lead to a world war.