Fact Check: Did Ukraine start the war?

Fact Check: Did Ukraine Start the War?

What We Know

The claim that "Ukraine started the war" is misleading and does not align with the established timeline and facts surrounding the conflict. The current phase of the Russo-Ukrainian War began on February 24, 2022, when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, marking the largest military conflict in Europe since World War II (Background - Russo-Ukrainian War). Prior to this invasion, tensions had been escalating since 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea and supported separatist movements in eastern Ukraine, leading to ongoing conflict in the Donbas region (Wikipedia - Russo-Ukrainian War).

In the lead-up to the 2022 invasion, Western intelligence agencies had warned of a significant military buildup by Russia along Ukraine's borders, indicating that an invasion was imminent (Background - Russo-Ukrainian War). Russian President Vladimir Putin justified the invasion by claiming a need to "liberate" Ukraine from its leadership, which he characterized as "Nazi," despite the fact that Ukraine's president is Jewish (Background - Russo-Ukrainian War). This rhetoric reflects a broader narrative from Russia that undermines Ukraine's sovereignty and identity, which has been a consistent theme in Putin's speeches (Russia's War in Ukraine: Identity, History, and Conflict).

Analysis

The assertion that Ukraine initiated the war ignores the context of Russian aggression that has been evident since 2014. The conflict's roots can be traced back to Russia's annexation of Crimea and its support for separatists in eastern Ukraine, which were acts of aggression against Ukraine's territorial integrity (Wikipedia - Russo-Ukrainian War). The 2022 invasion was a continuation of this aggression, not a response to any actions taken by Ukraine.

Moreover, the narrative that Ukraine is responsible for the war is often propagated by sources that align with Russian state interests, which tend to downplay or deny Russia's role in instigating the conflict. For instance, Putin's claims about the legitimacy of Ukrainian statehood and identity reflect a historical revisionism that seeks to justify military action against Ukraine (Russia's War in Ukraine: Identity, History, and Conflict). This perspective is not supported by credible historical analysis, which recognizes Ukraine as a sovereign nation with its own distinct identity.

In evaluating the reliability of sources, it is crucial to distinguish between those that provide objective historical context and those that may be influenced by political agendas. Scholarly works and reports from reputable institutions, such as the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), offer a more nuanced understanding of the conflict's origins and dynamics (Russia's War in Ukraine: Identity, History, and Conflict).

Conclusion

The claim that Ukraine started the war is False. The conflict was initiated by Russia's invasion in 2022, following years of aggression that began with the annexation of Crimea in 2014. The historical and geopolitical context clearly indicates that Ukraine has been a victim of external aggression rather than an aggressor in this conflict.

Fact Check: Did Ukraine start the war?