Fact Check: Ukraine has faced ongoing military conflict with Russia since 2014.

Fact Check: "Ukraine has faced ongoing military conflict with Russia since 2014."

What We Know

The claim that Ukraine has faced ongoing military conflict with Russia since 2014 is supported by a series of documented events. The conflict began in February 2014 when protests in Ukraine led to the ousting of President Viktor Yanukovych, who was perceived as pro-Russian. Following his removal, Russia annexed Crimea in March 2014, an act that was widely condemned by the international community and deemed illegal under international law (Cairn University).

In April 2014, armed conflict erupted in the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, collectively known as the Donbas. Pro-Russian separatists declared independence in these areas, leading to a military response from Ukraine (Wikipedia). The conflict has resulted in significant casualties, with estimates of around 13,000 deaths among Ukrainian soldiers and civilians by 2021 (LibGuides).

The situation escalated further when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, marking a significant intensification of the conflict that had been ongoing for eight years (Wikipedia).

Analysis

The evidence supporting the claim is robust, with multiple credible sources confirming the timeline and nature of the conflict. The Cairn University timeline outlines key events, including the annexation of Crimea and the onset of fighting in the Donbas region. The Wikipedia entry on the War in Donbas provides a detailed account of the military engagements and the involvement of Russian forces, which were often covert.

The Reuters timeline also corroborates these events, emphasizing the continuity of hostilities from 2014 through to the 2022 invasion. Furthermore, the Parliamentary Research Briefing provides an overview of the major developments in the conflict, reinforcing the claim that military actions have persisted since 2014.

While some sources may have varying perspectives on the motivations and implications of the conflict, the factual basis of ongoing military engagements is consistent across credible reports. The involvement of Russian military personnel and equipment in the conflict has been well-documented, lending further credibility to the assertion that Ukraine has been in a state of conflict with Russia since 2014.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that Ukraine has faced ongoing military conflict with Russia since 2014 is substantiated by a wealth of evidence from multiple reliable sources. The timeline of events, including the annexation of Crimea and the subsequent war in the Donbas region, clearly illustrates a continuous state of military conflict that escalated with the full-scale invasion in 2022.