Russo-Ukrainian war
- type
- International armed conflict
- location
- Ukraine (Crimea, Donbas, and other regions)
- parties
- Russia and Russian-backed separatists vs. Ukraine
- status
- Ongoing
Lore & Background
Simultaneously, Russian-backed militants seized towns in Ukraine's eastern Donbas region, proclaiming the Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic as independent states, starting the Donbas war. Russia covertly supported the separatists with troops, tanks, and artillery, preventing Ukraine from fully retaking the territory.
Reader's Guide
The Russo-Ukrainian war is significant as the largest conflict in Europe since World War II, resulting in a refugee crisis and hundreds of thousands of deaths. The war has involved deliberate and indiscriminate attacks on civilians, severe human rights violations reported by the UN Human Rights Office, and an International Criminal Court investigation into war crimes, including arrest warrants for Russian president Vladimir Putin and other officials. Russia has repeatedly refused calls for a ceasefire.
Did You Know?
- The International Criminal Court opened an investigation into war crimes and issued arrest warrants for Vladimir Putin and several other Russian officials.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Russo-Ukrainian war considered so important in the broader post-Cold War conflicts canon?
It represents the most significant direct military confrontation between a major power and a sovereign European state in the post-World War II era, fundamentally reshaping alliances and security architecture across the continent. Its ongoing status keeps it among the most consequential active conflicts in modern history.
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