Four years ago, on February 24, 2022, russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. For 4 years now, Ukrainians have been courageously defending their homeland. After all, the russian invaders are not just denying them the right to state sovereignty, but also questioning the very existence of the Ukrainian nation.

1

It should be noted right away that the russian aggression against Ukraine began not in February 2022, but 8 years earlier - in February 2014. Then a revolution took place in Ukraine, as a result of which the regime of pro-russian president Yanukovych was overthrown. Ukrainians sought to be an equal member of the European Union, not a vassal of russia.

Taking advantage of the imbalance of the state apparatus and security forces, the russians occupied and annexed the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea and soon began an undeclared war in the Ukrainian region of Donbas. This stage of russian aggression was called hybrid, because russia acted in Donbas mostly not directly, but with the help of proxy formations.

For a long time, russia tried to return the Donbas regions under its control to Ukraine on special conditions - so that they would have the right to veto important state decisions. Thus, moscow wanted to make Ukraine’s European integration impossible. When the russian ruler putin saw that he had failed, the russians resorted to full-scale aggression.

2

In russia, full-scale aggression against Ukraine was called and still is called a “special military operation”. At first, they even imprisoned those who called the war a war.

Indeed, the russian leaders planned to conduct a lightning military operation, during which they would capture the Ukrainian capital Kyiv and the largest Ukrainian cities of Kharkiv and Odessa. They wanted to overthrow the popularly elected Ukrainian government and establish a puppet regime. But the Ukrainians gave the invaders a worthy rebuff, and the russian plans for a lightning-fast special operation fell apart. The invaders suffered heavy losses, the russians retreated from Kiev and Kharkov, and never reached Odessa.

Unable to achieve an instant victory, putin and his henchmen unleashed a full-scale war. Hatred for Ukrainians has so clouded their minds that they do not consider their own losses. Since the end of World War II (1939-1945), this is the largest war in Europe, during which the russians have already lost more than 1.2 million soldiers.

Ukraine has not threatened russia in any way. However, putin and many of his subjects are irritated by the very fact of the existence of an independent state of Ukraine.

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The entire russian policy towards Ukraine is a vivid example of blatant lies and vile meanness. Let us recall that in 1994 Russia gave guarantees of the territorial integrity of Ukraine, when the Ukrainians abandoned their nuclear potential. In 1997, russia officially recognized the inviolability of the borders, concluding a treaty of friendship and strategic partnership with Ukraine. The current russian ruler putin also initially assured that he recognized the internationally recognized borders… But all these assurances turned out to be a cynical lie.

The further, the more blatant this lie became. Starting the “special operation”, putin assured that he would not annex any more Ukrainian regions, except for Donbas. But a little more than six months passed – and putin announced the annexation of two more Ukrainian regions, which his soldiers did not even manage to completely occupy!

For many years, russian propagandists have been lying about the “brotherhood” of Ukrainians and russians. Trying to destroy Ukrainian statehood by shelling peaceful Ukrainian cities, the russians have proven that they understand this as nothing other than the brotherly attitude of Cain towards Abel.

4

Since the first days of the full-scale russian invasion, many foreign volunteers have been fighting the russian invasion side by side with Ukrainians. They have shown themselves to be true brothers and sisters of Ukrainians.

The russian aggression is so blatantly unjust and disgusting that thousands and thousands of foreign volunteers have joined the ranks of the Ukrainian army to fight for freedom and justice (in fact, some russians are even fighting on the side of Ukraine!). Currently, more than 10,000 foreign volunteers from 75 countries of the world are fighting in the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine alone. Every month, about 600 volunteers sign contracts and join the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Foreign volunteers also serve in the ranks of the Ukrainian National Guard of Ukraine and units of the Main Intelligence Directorate.

Over the past 4 years of war against a more numerous enemy, the Ukrainian army has become one of the strongest armies in the world. Ukrainian soldiers demonstrate courage and skill in defending their homeland. They call on foreign volunteers to join their ranks and are ready to share with them the most modern military experience.

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With this text, we begin a series of publications on the background of russian aggression against Ukraine and the main events of the russian-Ukrainian war. Follow the updates on our website.