The War in Ukraine: It started as a civil war

The Ukraine-Russia War: A Conflict of Identity, Politics, and Geopolitics

Euromaidan Revolution and the Deepening Divide (November 2013 – February 2014)

The roots of the Ukraine-Russia conflict can be traced back to the Euromaidan Revolution, which exposed a fundamental divide within Ukrainian society. The unrest began when then-President Viktor Yanukovych, under pressure from Russia, abandoned a planned association agreement with the European Union in favor of closer ties with Moscow. This decision sparked massive protests in Kyiv, fueled by Ukrainians who saw their future aligned with Europe rather than Russia.

As the protests escalated, they led to the ousting of Yanukovych in February 2014. He fled to Russia, and Ukraine’s parliament removed him from office. This transition of power was seen as illegitimate by many in eastern and southern Ukraine, where a significant portion of the population identified culturally and linguistically with Russia. The revolution deepened the geopolitical and cultural divide within Ukraine between pro-European factions in the west and pro-Russian factions in the east.

A Nation Divided: Geopolitical and Cultural Fault Lines

Ukraine has long been divided between pro-European and pro-Russian sentiments. The western and central parts of the country largely support European integration, while the eastern and southern regions, with their predominantly Russian-speaking populations, have historically had stronger ties to Russia.

• Linguistic and Cultural Bonds: Russian-language media, education, and traditions are deeply ingrained in these regions. Many residents identify with Russia not just culturally but also economically and historically, tracing their roots to the Soviet era and beyond.

• Information Warfare: The presence of Russian media in these areas allowed Moscow to influence public opinion, presenting narratives that justified Russia’s actions and framed Ukraine’s post-revolutionary government as illegitimate or even hostile toward Russian speakers.

Crimea Annexation and the Donbas War (2014)

In the wake of Yanukovych’s removal, Russia acted swiftly.

• Annexation of Crimea (March 2014): Seizing on unrest and pro-Russian sentiment in Crimea, Russia deployed troops and organized a controversial referendum, after which Crimea was annexed by Russia. The move was condemned by Ukraine and much of the international community as a violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty.

• Conflict in Donbas (April 2014): Pro-Russian separatists in the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, with suspected support from Russian intelligence and military forces, declared independence from Ukraine, triggering an armed conflict. The Ukrainian government launched military operations to regain control, marking the start of an ongoing war.

The Internal Divide: Ukrainians vs. Ukrainians (2014-2016)

The war in Donbas initially took on the appearance of a civil conflict. Most fighters in the early phase were Ukrainian citizens—some loyal to Kyiv, others supporting the separatists. The Ukrainian government referred to it as an “Anti-Terrorist Operation” (ATO) against the separatists, while the separatists claimed to be resisting an illegitimate government in Kyiv.

Russia’s Increasing Role: Proxy War or Direct Intervention?

While the conflict began as an internal struggle, Russia provided increasing support to the separatists in Donetsk and Luhansk with weapons, military advisors, and eventually direct Russian troop involvement. Russia has consistently framed its actions as a response to the desires of Russian-speaking Ukrainians in the east and south, arguing that intervention was necessary to protect ethnic Russians and Russian speakers.

However, critics argue that Russia’s actions were driven by broader geopolitical ambitions:

• Preventing Ukraine from moving toward NATO and the EU.

• Maintaining influence over Ukraine, historically considered part of Russia’s sphere of influence.

• Weakening Ukraine as an independent state to ensure Russia’s own strategic security.

By 2016: The Shift to a Russia-Ukraine War

After 2016, the war had shifted from an internal civil conflict to a broader Ukraine-Russia confrontation. The presence of Russian forces in Donbas became undeniable, making it more of a proxy war rather than just an internal Ukrainian struggle.

A Conflict Rooted in Identity and Sovereignty

The war in Ukraine is not just a territorial dispute but a clash of national identities and geopolitical interests. For Ukraine, it is a fight for sovereignty and self-determination. For Russia, it is about maintaining influence over a region it considers historically, culturally, and strategically vital. The people in the eastern regions, caught between these two forces, have had their identities politicized and their lives disrupted.

Conclusion: A War of Perception and Reality

Was Russia merely “listening” to the desires of Russian-speaking Ukrainians, or was it actively shaping and manipulating these sentiments to justify military intervention? The answer likely lies somewhere in between—a mix of genuine regional tensions, external interference, and long-standing geopolitical rivalry. The conflict continues to shape Ukraine’s future, as the nation struggles to define its identity while resisting external pressures from its powerful neighbor.