Fact Check: "Ukraine started the war"
What We Know
The claim that "Ukraine started the war" is a misrepresentation of the events leading up to the current conflict. The war, which escalated significantly on February 24, 2022, began with a full-scale invasion by Russia, as noted in multiple sources. According to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, this marked the largest and deadliest war in Europe since World War II, following years of escalating tensions that began with Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014.
In a speech on February 21, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin outlined grievances against Ukraine, asserting that Ukraine's statehood and identity were illegitimate and that the West was using Ukraine as part of an "anti-Russia project" (Russia's War in Ukraine: Identity, History, and Conflict). This rhetoric reflects a long-standing narrative from the Russian government that seeks to justify its aggressive actions by portraying Ukraine as the aggressor.
Analysis
The assertion that Ukraine initiated the conflict lacks credible support and is contradicted by the historical context and documented events. The timeline of the conflict indicates that Russia's military actions began with the annexation of Crimea in 2014, followed by support for separatists in Eastern Ukraine, which were acts of aggression against Ukraine (Russian War in Ukraine: Timeline).
The claim also ignores the broader geopolitical dynamics at play. Putin's narrative about Ukrainian identity being a construct of foreign influence is part of a strategy to undermine Ukraine's sovereignty and justify military intervention. This perspective is critiqued by historians and analysts who argue that it dismisses the legitimate aspirations of the Ukrainian people for self-determination (Russia's War in Ukraine: Identity, History, and Conflict).
Moreover, the sources used to support the claim that Ukraine started the war often come from state-controlled Russian media or other biased outlets that do not provide a balanced view of the events. In contrast, independent analyses and reports from reputable organizations consistently attribute the initiation of hostilities to Russian actions.
Conclusion
The claim that "Ukraine started the war" is False. The evidence overwhelmingly indicates that the conflict was initiated by Russia's military actions, beginning with the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and culminating in the full-scale invasion in 2022. This narrative is supported by historical context and documented events, which clearly show that Ukraine has been the victim of aggression rather than the instigator of the conflict.
Sources
- Russia's War in Ukraine: Identity, History, and Conflict
- Russian War in Ukraine: Timeline
- Timeline of the Russian invasion of Ukraine - Wikipedia
- Russian invasion of Ukraine
- Get the Latest Ukraine News Today - Kyiv Post
- History of Ukraine - Ukraine.com
- Russia-Ukraine War | Casualties, Map, Causes, & ...
