Fact Check: Russia didn’t started war on Ukraine

Fact Check: "Russia didn’t start war on Ukraine"

What We Know

The claim that "Russia didn’t start war on Ukraine" is contradicted by a substantial body of evidence. On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a military invasion of Ukraine, marking the beginning of a conflict that has been described as the largest and deadliest war in Europe since World War II (source-6). This invasion followed a significant military buildup by Russia along the Ukrainian border and was preceded by a series of aggressive actions and rhetoric from the Russian government, particularly from President Vladimir Putin (source-5).

In a speech on February 21, 2022, Putin outlined his grievances against Ukraine and the West, framing the invasion as a "special military operation" aimed at protecting Russian speakers in Ukraine and countering NATO's influence (source-1). This rhetoric has been widely interpreted as a pretext for military aggression, as it reflects a long-standing belief among Russian elites that Ukraine's sovereignty and identity are illegitimate (source-3).

Analysis

The assertion that Russia did not start the war in Ukraine is fundamentally flawed when examined against the timeline of events and the context of the conflict. The invasion on February 24, 2022, was a direct military action initiated by Russia, which has been confirmed by multiple credible sources, including government reports and independent analyses (source-4, source-7).

Furthermore, the historical context provided by experts indicates that Russia's actions are rooted in a broader strategy to reassert influence over former Soviet territories, particularly Ukraine, which has sought closer ties with Western nations (source-2). The Minsk Accords, signed in 2014 and 2015, were attempts to cease hostilities in the Donbas region but were undermined by ongoing Russian support for separatist movements, illustrating a pattern of aggression rather than a defensive posture (source-2).

The sources cited are credible, including reports from established institutions like the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and major news organizations, which provide a comprehensive overview of the conflict and its origins. The reliability of these sources is bolstered by their expertise in international relations and security studies.

Conclusion

The claim that "Russia didn’t start war on Ukraine" is False. The evidence overwhelmingly supports the conclusion that Russia initiated military action against Ukraine on February 24, 2022, following a series of provocations and a long-standing policy aimed at undermining Ukrainian sovereignty. The context and actions of the Russian government clearly indicate that the invasion was a calculated decision to exert control over Ukraine, rather than a response to external threats.

Sources

1. Russia's War in Ukraine: Identity, History, and Conflict
2. Russia - Ukraine Crisis: Timeline of Crisis and Updates
3. Russia's War in Ukraine: Identity, History, and Conflict
4. Russian War in Ukraine: Timeline
5. Timeline of the Russian invasion of Ukraine - Wikipedia
6. Russian invasion of Ukraine
7. Timeline: The events leading up to Russia's invasion of Ukraine
8. Key Moments in the Russia-Ukraine War: A Timeline - The New York Times