With these demands unmet and intelligence indicating plans for a large-scale invasion, the international community braced for the worst. Annexation of Crimea and the Onset of War in Donbas February-March 2014: The Seizure of Crimea In late February 2014, unmarked Russian troops without insignia, later confirmed to be Russian special forces, captured strategic locations across Crimea.
Understanding the 2014 Political Crisis and the Start of War in Ukraine
The war in Ukraine began in the broader sense following the Euromaidan protests of 2013-2014, which triggered Russia's annexation of Crimea in February 2014 and the subsequent outbreak of armed conflict in the Donbas region. This political crisis culminated in Yanukovych's ouster in February 2014, which Russia viewed as a Western-backed coup.
The Path to Full-Scale Invasion 2021-2022: Military Buildup and Diplomatic Deadlines Throughout 2021 and early 2022, Russia amassed over 100,000 troops along Ukraine's borders, conducting what appeared to be routine military exercises. As diplomatic efforts between Russia, the United States, and NATO broke down, Russia presented specific security demands, including a guarantee that Ukraine would never join NATO and the withdrawal of NATO forces from Eastern Europe.
Understanding the 2014 Political Crisis and Crimea Annexation
February 24, 2022: The Full-Scale Invasion. The agreements served more as temporary pauses in fighting than genuine pathways to peace, allowing Russia to solidify its control over the occupied territories.
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