Fact Check: "Russia never went to war with Ukraine, it was Ukraine"
What We Know
The claim that "Russia never went to war with Ukraine, it was Ukraine" is fundamentally inaccurate. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine escalated significantly on February 24, 2022, when Russia launched a full-scale military invasion of Ukraine, marking a dramatic escalation in the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War that had been simmering since 2014 with the annexation of Crimea and the conflict in Eastern Ukraine (source-2).
Prior to the invasion, there were numerous indicators of escalating tensions, including a significant buildup of Russian troops along the Ukrainian border and demands from Russia regarding Ukraine's NATO membership (source-2). The invasion was characterized by widespread military operations across multiple fronts, including airstrikes, ground assaults, and naval engagements, which have been documented extensively by various international news outlets and military analyses (source-4).
Moreover, the United States and its allies have provided substantial military support to Ukraine in response to this aggression, further underscoring the nature of the conflict as one initiated by Russia (source-1).
Analysis
The assertion that Ukraine initiated the conflict is not supported by credible evidence. The timeline of events leading up to the invasion clearly indicates that Russia was the aggressor. For instance, on February 21, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered troops into the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine, which he recognized as independent republics (source-2). This action was a clear violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and marked the beginning of a large-scale military operation.
Additionally, the extensive military support provided to Ukraine by the U.S. and NATO allies, including air defense systems and munitions, is a direct response to Russian aggression, not an indication that Ukraine was the instigator of the conflict (source-1). The ongoing military engagements and the international community's recognition of Russia as the aggressor further reinforce the conclusion that the claim is unfounded.
The sources used in this analysis are reliable, including government reports and reputable news organizations, which provide a factual basis for understanding the conflict. The claim's origin appears to stem from a misinterpretation or deliberate distortion of the events surrounding the war.
Conclusion
Verdict: False
The claim that "Russia never went to war with Ukraine, it was Ukraine" is false. The evidence clearly shows that Russia initiated the conflict with its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, following years of escalating tensions and military buildup. Ukraine has been responding to this aggression, and the international community has recognized Russia as the aggressor in this conflict.
