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#REDIRECT [[Russo-Ukrainian War]]
{{Short description|Russian invasion and annexation of the Crimea and surrounding areas}}
{{EngvarB|date= December 2014}}
{{about||the 2021–22 crisis involving Ukraine|2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis|other uses}}
{{See also|Russo-Ukrainian War|Ukraine–European Union relations}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{History of Ukraine}}
[[File:Euromaidan RSA occupations.png|thumb|300px|Euromaidan-occupied regional government offices on 3 March 2014.]]
[[File:2014_pro-Russian_unrest_in_Ukraine.png|thumb|300px|Map of the [[2014 pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine]]]]
The '''Ukrainian crisis''' is the collective name for the 2013–14 [[Euromaidan]] protests associated with emergent social movement of integration of Ukraine into the European Union, the [[February 2014 Maidan revolution]] and the ensuing [[2014 pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine|pro-Russian unrest]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=German |first1=Tracey |last2=Karagiannis |first2=Emmanuel |title=The Ukrainian Crisis: The Role of, and Implications for, Sub-State and Non-State Actors |publisher=Routledge |year=2018 |chapter=Introduction |isbn= 9781351737920}}</ref>


{{Rcat shell|
The crisis began on 21 November 2013, when then-president [[Viktor Yanukovych]] suspended preparations for the implementation of [[Ukraine–European Union Association Agreement|an association agreement]] with the [[European Union]]. The decision sparked [[Euromaidan|mass protests from proponents of the agreement]]. The protests, in turn, precipitated [[2014 Ukrainian revolution|a revolution that led to Yanukovych's ousting]] in February 2014. The ousting [[2014 pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine|sparked unrest]] in the largely [[Russian language in Ukraine|Russophone]] [[Eastern Ukraine|eastern]] and [[Southern Ukraine|southern]] regions of Ukraine, from where Yanukovych had drawn most of his support.
{{R to related topic}}

Subsequently, the [[Russo-Ukrainian War]] began. Amidst [[2014 pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine|wide unrest across southern and eastern Ukraine]], which Russia has been accused of supporting, [[Little green men (Ukrainian crisis)|Russian soldiers without insignias]] took control of strategic positions and infrastructure within the Ukrainian territory of Crimea. On 1 March 2014, the [[Federation Council (Russia)|Federation Council]] of the [[Russian Federation]] unanimously adopted a resolution on petition of the [[President of Russia]] [[Vladimir Putin]] to use military force on territory of Ukraine.<ref>[http://council.gov.ru/events/news/39851/ The Federation Council gave approval on use of the Russian Armed Forces on territory of Ukraine (Совет Федерации дал согласие на использование Вооруженных Сил России на территории Украины)]. [[Federation Council (Russia)|Federation Council]]. 1 March 2014</ref> The resolution was adopted several days later after the start of the Russian military operation on "Returning of Crimea". Russia then [[Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation|annexed Crimea]] after a widely criticised [[2014 Crimean status referendum|local referendum]] which was organized by Russia after the [[Capture of the Crimean Parliament|capturing of the Crimean Parliament]] by the Russian "little green men" and in which the population of the [[Autonomous Republic of Crimea]] voted to join the [[Russian Federation]].<ref name="Maskarovka">{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b050674y|title=BBC Radio 4 – Analysis, Maskirovka: Deception Russian-Style|work=BBC|access-date= 11 April 2015}}</ref><ref name="washingtonpost">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/putin-changes-course-admits-russian-troops-were-in-crimea-before-vote/2014/04/17/b3300a54-c617-11e3-bf7a-be01a9b69cf1_story.html|title=Putin's remarks raise fears of future moves against Ukraine&nbsp;— The Washington Post|work=washingtonpost.com|access-date=14 September 2014|first=Kathy|last=Lally|date=17 April 2014}}</ref> In April, demonstrations by pro-Russian groups in the [[Donbas]] area of Ukraine escalated into [[war in Donbas|a war]] between the Ukrainian government and the Russian-backed separatist forces of the self-declared [[Donetsk People's Republic|Donetsk]] and [[Lugansk People's Republic|Luhansk]] People's Republics. In August, Russian military vehicles crossed the border in several locations of Donetsk Oblast.<ref name="Time0x01">{{cite news|url=http://time.com/3142580/ukrain-russia-luhansk-donetsk-rebels-reinforcements/|agency=TIME|author=Per Liljas|title=Rebels in Besieged Ukrainian City Reportedly Being Reinforced|date=19 August 2014|access-date=28 August 2014|work=Time}}</ref><ref name="how the war transformed">{{cite web|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/how-the-war-zone-transformed-between-june-16-and-sept-19-infographic-365795.html|title=How the war zone transformed between June 16 and Sept. 19|work=KyivPost|date=25 September 2014|access-date=21 March 2015}}</ref><ref name="tanks white circles">{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-tanks-exclusive-idUSKCN0IC1GE20141023|title=Exclusive: Charred tanks in Ukraine point to Russian involvement|work=Reuters | date=23 October 2014}}</ref><ref>unian, 8 April 2015 [http://www.unian.info/war/1065276-debaltseve-pocket-in-donbas-was-created-by-russian-troops-yashin.html debaltseve pocket created by Russian troops – yashin]</ref> The incursion by the Russian military was seen as responsible for the defeat of Ukrainian forces in early September 2014.<ref name="ch40x02">Channel 4 News, 2 September 2014 [http://www.channel4.com/news/tensions-still-high-in-ukraine-video tensions still high in Ukraine]</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/dec/17/ukraine-ceasefire-frontline-counting-cost-war-uneasy-calm|title=Ukraine ceasefire leaves frontline counting cost of war in uneasy calm|author=Luke Harding|work=The Guardian|date=17 December 2014|access-date=29 December 2014}}</ref><ref name="NYTbalk">{{cite news |last1= Higgins|first1= Andrew |last2= Kramer|first2= Andrew E. |title= Pro-Russian Insurgents Balk at Terms of Pact in Ukraine |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/19/world/europe/ukraine-russia.html |newspaper= The New York Times |access-date= 7 April 2018 |date= 2014-04-18 | quote = Doubts about the Kremlin's readiness to push pro-Russian militants to surrender their guns have been strengthened by its insistence that it has no hand in or control over the separatist unrest, which Washington and Kiev believe is the result of a covert Russian operation involving, in some places, the direct action of special forces.}}
</ref><ref name="Reutersquit">
{{cite news
|last1= Tsvetkova |first1= Maria
|title= Special Report: Russian soldiers quit over Ukraine
|url= https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-soldiers-specialreport/special-report-russian-soldiers-quit-over-ukraine-idUSKBN0NV06Q20150510
|newspaper= Reuters |access-date= 7 April 2018
|date= 2015-05-10
|quote = Evidence for Russians fighting in Ukraine – Russian army equipment found in the country, testimony from soldiers' families and from Ukrainians who say they were captured by Russian paratroopers – is abundant.
}}
}}
</ref>

==Background==
Despite being an independent country since 1991, Ukraine has been perceived by [[Russia]] as being part of its [[sphere of interest|social and economic sphere of interest]]. Political analyst Iulian Chifu and his co-authors claim that in regard to Ukraine, Russia pursues a modernized version of the [[Brezhnev Doctrine]] on "limited sovereignty", which dictates that the sovereignty of Ukraine cannot be larger than that of the [[Warsaw Pact]] prior to the [[Revolutions of 1989|demise]] of the [[Soviet sphere of influence]].<ref name="Chifu">{{cite book|chapter-url=http://www.cpc-ew.ro/pdfs/the_russian_georgian_war.pdf|title=The Russian Georgian War: A trilateral cognitive institutional approach of the crisis decision-making process|chapter=Russia–Georgia War of August 2008: Ukrainian Approach |publisher=Editura Curtea Veche|location=Bucharest|year=2009|isbn=978-973-1983-19-6|author=Iulian Chifu|author2=Oazu Nantoi|author3=Oleksandr Sushko|page=181|access-date=21 February 2016}}</ref> This claim is based on statements of Russian leaders that [[Ukraine-NATO relations|possible integration]] of Ukraine into [[NATO]] would jeopardize Russia's national security.<ref name="Chifu" />

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, both nations retained very close ties. At the same time, there were several sticking points, most importantly Ukraine's significant [[Nuclear weapons and Ukraine|nuclear arsenal]], which Ukraine agreed to abandon in the [[Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances]] on the condition that Russia (and the other signatories) would issue an assurance against threats or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of Ukraine. In 1999, Russia was one of the signatories of the [[1999 Istanbul summit|Charter for European Security]], where it "reaffirmed the inherent right of each and every participating State to be free to choose or change its security arrangements, including treaties of alliance, as they evolve".<ref>{{cite web|title = Istanbul Document 1999|url = http://www.osce.org/node/39569|publisher=Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe|date=19 November 1999|access-date = 21 July 2015}}</ref> Both would prove futile in 2014.<ref>nbc 18 March 2014 [https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/ukraine-crisis/how-toothless-nato-over-russia-crimea-n55896], ukrainesolidaritycampaign [http://ukrainesolidaritycampaign.org/2015/01/28/ukraine-the-oligarchic-rebellion-in-the-donbas/ the oligarchic rebellion in the donbas]</ref>

==Euromaidan and revolution==
{{Main|Euromaidan|2014 Ukrainian revolution}}
Ukraine became gripped by unrest when the Ukrainian government suspended [[Plan on Priority Measures for European Integration of Ukraine|preparations for signing]] the [[Ukraine–European Union Association Agreement]] with the [[European Union]] on 21 November 2013, to maintain its economic relations with Russia.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/16/world/europe/a-ukraine-city-spins-beyond-the-governments-reach.html?_r=0 | title=A Ukraine City Spins Beyond the Government's Reach | work=The New York Times | date= 15 February 2014}}</ref> An organised political movement known as '[[Euromaidan]]' demanded closer ties with the [[European Union]], and the ousting of Yanukovych.<ref name=Reuters121213>{{cite news | url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-idUSBRE9BA04420131212 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140420012605/https://www.reuters.com/article/2013/12/12/us-ukraine-idUSBRE9BA04420131212 | archive-date=2014-04-20 | title=Kiev protesters gather, EU dangles aid promise | work=Reuters | date=12 December 2013 | access-date=10 April 2014 | author=Balmforth, Richard}}</ref> This movement was ultimately successful, culminating in the [[2014 Ukrainian revolution|February 2014 revolution]], which removed Yanukovych and [[Second Azarov Government|his government]].<ref name="RFEKT25114">{{cite news | url=http://www.rferl.org/content/protesters-police-tense-standoff-ukraine/25241945.html | title=Ukraine Opposition Vows To Continue Struggle After Yanukovych Offer |publisher=[[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]] |date=25 January 2014 | access-date=10 April 2014}}</ref>

On 24 November 2013, clashes between protesters and police began. After a few days of demonstrations an increasing number of [[higher education in Ukraine|university students]] joined the protests.<ref>[http://www.euronews.com/2013/11/26/students-in-ukraine-threaten-indefinite-national-strike/ Students in Ukraine threaten indefinite national strike], [[Euronews]] (26 November 2013)</ref> The Euromaidan has been characterised as an event of major political symbolism for the European Union itself, particularly as "the largest ever pro-European rally in history."<ref name="Ukraine Offers">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2013/12/12/does-europe-need-ukraine/ukraine-offers-europe-economic-growth-and-more|title=Ukraine Offers Europe Economic Growth and More |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=12 December 2013|access-date=21 January 2014}}</ref>

During 24 January 2014, western Ukrainian cities such as [[Ivano-Frankivsk]], and [[Chernivtsi]] had protesters seize regional government buildings in protest of president [[Viktor Yanukovych]].
In [[Ivano-Frankivsk]], nearly 1,500 protesters occupied the regional government building and barricaded themselves inside the building. The city of [[Chernivtsi]] saw crowds of protesters storm the governors office while police officers protected the building. [[Uzhgorod]] also had regional offices blockaded, and in the western city of [[Lviv]]
barricades were being erected just after previously seizing the governor's office.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25876807 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140124181216/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25876807 | url-status=dead | archive-date=2014-01-24 | title=BBC News - Ukraine unrest: Protesters storm regional offices}}</ref>

The protests continued alongside heavy [[Ukrainian police|police]] presence,<ref name=ENEMp271113>[http://www.euronews.com/2013/11/27/protests-continue-in-kyiv-ahead-of-vilnius-eu-summit/ Protests continue in Kiev ahead of Vilnius EU summit], [[Euronews]] (27 November 2013)</ref> regularly sub-freezing temperatures, and snow. Escalating violence from government forces in the early morning of 30 November caused the level of protests to rise, with 400,000–800,000 protesters, according to Russia's opposition politician [[Boris Nemtsov]], demonstrating in Kyiv on the weekends of 1 December and 8 December.<ref name="BBC rally Dec 8">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25290959|title=Ukraine's capital Kiev gripped by huge pro-EU demonstration|work=BBC News|date=8 December 2013| access-date=8 December 2013}}</ref> In the preceding weeks, protest attendance had fluctuated from 50,000 to 200,000 during organised rallies.<ref name="R221213np">{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-idUSBRE9BL09220131222|author=Olzhas Auyezov and Jack Stubbs|title=Ukraine opposition urges more protests, forms political bloc|work=Reuters|date=22 December 2013|access-date=24 January 2014}}</ref><ref name="1211450,000">[http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-ukraine-idUKBREA0B0KE20140112 Ukraine pro-Europe protesters hold first big rally of 2014], [[Reuters]] (12 January 2014)</ref> Violent riots took place 1 December and 19 January through 25 January in response to police brutality and government repression.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/opinion/op-ed/no-looting-or-anarchy-in-this-euromaidan-revolution-335296.html|title=No Looting or Anarchy in this Euromaidan Revolution|newspaper=Kyiv Post|access-date=24 January 2014}}</ref> Starting 23 January, several [[Western Ukrainian]] [[Oblasts of Ukraine|Oblast]] (province) Governor buildings and regional councils [[2014 Ukrainian Regional State Administration occupations|were occupied]] in a revolt by Euromaidan activists.<ref name="BBCoRSA26114">[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25905031 Ukraine protests 'spread' into Russia-influenced east], [[BBC News]] (26 January 2014)</ref> In the [[Russophone]] cities of [[Zaporizhzhia]], [[Sumy]], and [[Dnipropetrovsk]], protesters also tried to take over their local government building, and were met with considerable force from both police and government supporters.<ref name="BBCoRSA26114"/>

== 2014 pro-Russian unrest ==
{{Main|2014 pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine}}
President Yanukovych was forced to flee on 23 February 2014, and protests by pro-Russian and anti-revolution protesters began in the largely [[Russophone]] region of [[Crimea]].<ref name="Seccession calls in pro-Russian south">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/23/ukraine-crisis-secession-russian-crimea|title=Ukraine crisis fuels secession calls in pro-Russian south|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=24 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201194141/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/23/ukraine-crisis-secession-russian-crimea|archive-date=1 December 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> These were followed by demonstrations in cities across [[Eastern Ukraine|eastern]] and [[Southern Ukraine|southern]] Ukraine, including [[Donetsk]], [[Luhansk]], [[Kharkiv]], and [[Odessa]].

== See also ==
* [[Casualties of the Ukrainian crisis]]
* [[Cold War II]]
* [[Ukraine–European Union relations]]
* [[Ukraine–NATO relations]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Ukraine topics}}
{{Political scandals in Ukraine}}
{{Politics of Ukraine footer}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ukrainian Crisis}}
[[Category:Ukrainian crisis| ]]
[[Category:Conflicts in Ukraine|Crisis]]
[[Category:2010s in Ukraine|Crisis]]
[[Category:2010s conflicts]]
[[Category:Political history of Ukraine|Crisis]]
[[Category:Post-Soviet conflicts]]
[[Category:History of Ukraine since 1991]]
[[Category:Articles containing video clips]]

Latest revision as of 10:15, 10 April 2022

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