Russia's Aggression Against Ukraine: a Historical Analysis

Unprovoked Russia's war in Ukraine unfurling in one of the largest European countries made many people worldwide discover what Ukraine is. Many wars were commenced, and many crimes were committed by Russians to convert Ukrainians into Russians. Still, for many people both in Ukraine and abroad, the question 'Why is Russia attacking Ukraine?’ is unanswered even after over six months of intensive hostilities and losses. The fundamental reason for these wars and crimes was Russian striving to erase Ukrainian unique character and hoary Ukrainian culture altogether. This “Why is Russia attacking Ukraine essay” will look into the matter in detail.

Encroachment of history

Why would Russians want to annihilate Ukrainians? Well, it all began almost nine centuries ago. Back in 1169, prince Andrey Bogoliubskyi sent his troops from the Muscovy area to seize and plunder Kyiv. Kyiv was one of the largest European cities of those days and the capital of Rus, a powerful state later renamed Kyivan Rus. Solving a puzzle about why it was done is the first step to answering the question of why did Russia invade Ukraine. The humble name substitution from Rus to Kyivan Rus made it possible to invent other Ruses. Say, there was not just one Rus located mostly on the territory of modern Ukraine. There were also Ruses farther north, in today’s Russia. The name Russia itself was borrowed by the young nation of Muscovites to accroach the centuries-old history and fame of the old Rus.

Armed conflicts between neighbours

But let’s get back to the pillage of Kyiv. The cruel assault by Bogoliubskyi, when Kyiv was terribly looted and devastated, is considered the first Russian-Ukrainian war. During the next centuries, Ukrainians steadily showed their inspiration for their own way of life and cherished their unique culture. Now and then, wars between Ukrainians and Russians burst out, but these were not Ukrainians who unleashed them.

Actually, armed conflicts between neighbouring countries have been customary in recent centuries. Ukrainians waged wars with their neighbours as well to include Poland and Turkey. Though, today both Poland and Turkey are helping Ukraine to defend itself against the Russian aggression. Like many other countries, they value peace, the national identity of nations, and their right to self-determination. The importance of diplomatic negotiations to address the tricky questions is therefore obvious. But not for all in today's world.

Public awareness campaigns

We cannot claim, however, that Russia uses only weapons to resolve conflicts. In the Russian attack on Ukraine, soft power was widely and, we must admit, successfully used. For years, decades, and even centuries, Russia has been working hard on developing the myths that were beneficial to it.

We’ve already analyzed the myth of Rus. Namely, in the Moscow area, there was a state which succeeded to the cultural heritage of the old Rus. The slightly changed name of the state insinuates that the only heir of Rus is Russia. Ukraine was then declared Little Russia, or Rus Minor, while Rus Major lay to the eastern north of it.

Russian tzars, and later emperors and other rulers, undertook many efforts and invested much money to persuade this Rus Major, or today’s Russia, was honourable, ancient, and deserved all the glory and worship. These myths were spread among the population of Russia, Ukraine, and the world, mostly in books telling the falsified history. The practice of subsidizing foreign officials is also well-developed in Russia down the ages.

In the modern days, Russia added new features and methods to its propaganda. Now it uses TV, movies, songs, and other soft power means to justify its aggression. Before Russia launched the full-scale war against Ukraine, the vast majority of ordinary people wouldn’t be very much concerned if asked the question, ‘Why does Russia want to invade Ukraine?’. Common history, Russian-speaking part of Ukraine’s population, jeopardizing with NATO power, and disobedient Ukrainian renegades – these would probably be the average answers. Well, bribery, intimidation, and fake historical events so widely utilized by Russia had their effect on the mindset.

Setting the stage

In Ukraine, a Russian version of Ukrainian history also had success. It depicted Ukrainians as an offshoot of great Russian culture, the prodigal son who needs to be returned home. The ancient Ukrainian cultural heritage was denied and forbidden. Development of new cultural branches and restoration of collective memory led to prison – in each century under all Russian rulers.

Ukrainian historical phenomenon was presented as something lateral, unwanted, and misfit. Also, the Russians had all the support to colonize Ukraine and spread their way of life and their language there. No wonder that under such circumstances, the weird effect of Russian-speaking Ukrainians occurred.

Ukrainians and the world now have the chance to reassess Russian and Ukrainian relations. In fact, they have never been smooth and cdomprised either open hostilities or life in Russian occupation.