ALBAWABA - The Russia-Ukraine war, initiated to protect Russian speakers and prevent NATO and the West from approaching its borders, has completed its second year. On Feb 24.2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special operation" involving the entry of Russian forces into Ukrainian territory.
The conflict saw Russian military units entering regions such as Donetsk and Luhansk, as well as from the Russian border at Harkiv, Sumy, Chernihiv, and via Belarus to the Chernobyl zone. Russian forces also deployed through Crimea to areas like Herson and Melitopol, surrounding and besieging Kiev.
Breakdown in Negotiations Amid Accusations
During negotiations in Istanbul, Ukraine's accusations of massacres by Russian forces led to a breakdown in the talks. Russia fortified positions in Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Herson, cutting off Kiev's access to the Sea of Azov and establishing a land connection with Crimea. Russian forces also captured strategic locations such as Snake Island in the Black Sea, targeting port cities like Odessa and Mykolaiv.
Continued Violence and Territorial Shifts
Despite ongoing negotiations for a ceasefire, humanitarian corridors for civilians in conflict zones, and a grain deal involving Turkey, Russia, Ukraine, and the United Nations, the war's second year marked continued violence and significant territorial changes. The Ukrainian army annouced liberating regions like Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia, led to the liberation of several villages and the gradual recovery of approximately 74% of Ukrainian territory since the conflict's onset.
Losses and Intensified Clashes
The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has led to significant losses, with Russia capturing Bahmut and Avdiivka, and the most intense clashes taking place in the Donetsk region. Both sides have suffered significant losses, with Russia claiming to have captured the city of Bahmut on 21 May 2023. The Russian army intensified its attacks at Avdiivka, which were the largest since 2014. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attributed his withdrawal to the lack of sufficient support from his partners.
Debates Over Support and Aid
The second year of the war was marked by debates about whether the Ukrainian army would receive sufficient support from the US and the European Union (EU). Ukraine's Ministry for the Reintegration of Territories Under Temporary Occupation reporting that international aid to the country has reached 170 billion euros since the start of the war. However, the issue of humanitarian, military, and financial support promised to Ukraine has confronted the US Congress's Democrats and Republicans, the EU, and some of its members.
EU Sanctions and Political Backing
The EU has enforced 12 packages of sanctions against Russia since 2022, with the 13th package announced when the second year of the war was over. The number of individuals and entities on the EU's sanctions list against Russia due to Ukraine has reached 2,000, and investment packages have made it more difficult for Russia to access military-produced materials.
Progress Towards EU and NATO Membership
The EU also supported Ukraine politically, with one of Russia's reasons for starting the war being Ukraine's desire to move closer to the EU and NATO. Despite the war, Ukraine has made progress in this direction, with the leaders of EU member countries deciding to open EU accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova on 14 December 2023. Ukraine's other goal is to become a NATO member, but alliance leaders have not yet reached a consensus on this.
Human Cost of the Conflict
The total number of casualties in the war is unknown, with Ukraine claiming the number of Russian soldiers killed exceeds 407,000 and Russia claiming an average of 400-500 Ukrainian troops are killed a day. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights reports that 10,650 civilians have lost their lives and 18,679 injured since the start of the war, while 6,479,700 Ukrainians are still abroad due to the conflict.
