Fact Check: Ukraine started the war

Fact Check: "Ukraine started the war"

What We Know

The claim that "Ukraine started the war" is misleading and not supported by the historical context of the conflict. The current war, which escalated into a full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022, was initiated by Russia, led by President Vladimir Putin. This invasion followed years of conflict that began in 2014 when Russia annexed Crimea and supported separatist movements in Eastern Ukraine, leading to ongoing violence and territorial disputes (Background - Russo-Ukrainian War).

In the lead-up to the 2022 invasion, Western intelligence had warned of an imminent attack, which was confirmed when Russia launched its military operation under the pretext of "liberating" Ukraine from its government, which Putin described as "Nazi" despite the Jewish identity of Ukraine's president (Background - Russo-Ukrainian War). The war has resulted in severe humanitarian crises, with thousands of civilian casualties and widespread destruction across Ukraine (Background - Russo-Ukrainian War).

Analysis

The assertion that Ukraine instigated the war ignores the complexities of the conflict and the historical actions of Russia. Putin's justification for the invasion included grievances about NATO's expansion and claims regarding the legitimacy of Ukrainian statehood, which he characterized as a product of foreign manipulation (Russia's War in Ukraine: Identity, History, and Conflict). This perspective reflects a broader Russian narrative that seeks to undermine Ukrainian sovereignty and identity.

Furthermore, the conflict's roots can be traced back to Russia's actions in 2014, which included the annexation of Crimea and support for separatist groups in the Donbas region. These actions were widely condemned internationally and are viewed as violations of Ukraine's territorial integrity (Russo-Ukrainian War). The ongoing conflict has been characterized by Russia's military aggression rather than any actions taken by Ukraine that could be construed as starting a war.

The reliability of sources discussing the origins of the conflict is critical. Academic publications and reports from established institutions, such as the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), provide a well-researched overview of the situation, emphasizing Russia's role as the aggressor (Russia's War in Ukraine: Identity, History, and Conflict). In contrast, sources that suggest Ukraine started the war often lack rigorous analysis and may be influenced by political biases.

Conclusion

The claim that "Ukraine started the war" is False. The evidence overwhelmingly supports that Russia initiated the conflict with its full-scale invasion in 2022, following years of aggressive actions against Ukraine beginning in 2014. The narrative that Ukraine is responsible for the war fails to consider the historical context and the actions taken by Russia, which have been widely condemned as violations of international law.

Sources

1. Background - Russo-Ukrainian War
2. Russia's War in Ukraine: Identity, History, and Conflict
3. Russia's War in Ukraine: Identity, History, and Conflict
4. Russia Invasion of Ukraine: Causes and Consequences - JMU
5. Finding insights in history for war in Ukraine - Harvard Gazette
6. Russo-Ukrainian War
7. Russia-Ukraine War | Casualties, Map, Causes, & Significance | Britannica
8. The Causes and Consequences of the Ukraine War - CIRSD