Who is ukraine at war with

Overview

The war between Ukraine and Russia represents the largest military conflict in Europe since World War II, with profound geopolitical implications. The current phase began with Russia's full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022, but tensions date back to Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea and support for separatists in eastern Ukraine. This conflict has evolved into a protracted war of attrition involving conventional warfare, economic sanctions, and global diplomatic realignments that challenge the post-Cold War international order.

Historically, Ukraine and Russia share centuries of intertwined history as part of the Russian Empire and Soviet Union. Following Ukraine's independence in 1991, relations remained complex, with Ukraine seeking closer ties with the European Union and NATO while Russia viewed this as a security threat. The 2014 Maidan Revolution, which ousted pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych, triggered Russia's annexation of Crimea and the Donbas conflict, setting the stage for the current war.

How It Works

The Ukraine-Russia war operates through multiple interconnected dimensions including military operations, economic warfare, and international diplomacy.

• Military Strategy: Russia employs artillery-heavy tactics and missile strikes targeting civilian infrastructure, while Ukraine utilizes Western-supplied precision weapons and defensive fortifications. As of early 2024, Russia has mobilized approximately 300,000 additional troops and controls about 17% of Ukrainian territory, including Crimea and parts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions.
• International Support: Ukraine has received over $200 billion in military and financial aid from Western allies, including the United States ($75 billion), European Union ($85 billion), and individual NATO members. This includes advanced systems like HIMARS rocket launchers, Patriot air defense, and main battle tanks, fundamentally altering battlefield dynamics.
• Economic Warfare: Western nations have imposed unprecedented sanctions on Russia, targeting over 1,500 individuals and 400 entities, freezing approximately $300 billion in Russian central bank assets, and restricting access to SWIFT financial messaging system. Russia has responded with energy supply reductions to Europe and economic reorientation toward Asia.
• Information Operations: Both sides engage in extensive propaganda campaigns, with Russia promoting narratives about protecting Russian speakers and denazification, while Ukraine emphasizes sovereignty and European integration. Cyber warfare has targeted critical infrastructure, with over 2,000 major cyber incidents reported since 2022.

Key Comparisons

Why It Matters

• Humanitarian Crisis: The war has created Europe's largest refugee crisis since WWII, with over 6.5 million Ukrainians fleeing abroad and 7.9 million internally displaced. Civilian casualties exceed 10,000 deaths and 18,500 injuries as of early 2024, with widespread destruction of housing, hospitals, and schools affecting 17.6 million people needing humanitarian assistance.
• Global Food Security: Ukraine, previously responsible for 10% of global wheat exports and 15% of corn exports, has seen agricultural production decline by 35%. The Black Sea Grain Initiative, operating from July 2022 to July 2023, facilitated export of 33 million metric tons of foodstuffs before Russia's withdrawal, contributing to global price stabilization.
• Energy Security: Russia's reduction of natural gas supplies to Europe triggered an energy crisis, with EU gas prices peaking at €340 per megawatt-hour in August 2022. Europe has reduced Russian gas imports from 40% of total supply to under 10%, accelerating renewable energy transition and diversification.

The war's outcome will shape international relations for decades, testing the resilience of democratic alliances against authoritarian expansion. As the conflict enters its third year, diplomatic efforts continue alongside military operations, with Ukraine seeking security guarantees and eventual NATO membership while Russia demands recognition of territorial gains. The resolution will determine not only Ukraine's future but also the balance of power in Europe and the effectiveness of international law in preventing aggression.