It is the question that has defined the last few years of global politics, yet the answer usually gets buried under a mountain of jargon about "sovereignty" and "geopolitics." If you’re asking why are Russia and Ukraine fighting, you’re probably looking for something beyond a dry history textbook. You want to know why a land border became a front line and why millions of people have had their lives upended.
Honestly? It's a mix of deep-seated history, broken promises, and one man’s obsession with a lost empire.
Vladimir Putin doesn't see Ukraine as a separate country. That’s the core of it. In a massive, 5,000-word essay published back in 2021, he basically argued that Ukrainians and Russians are "one people." To him, the collapse of the Soviet Union wasn't just a political change; it was a "geopolitical catastrophe." He wants to fix what he thinks was a mistake. But for Ukrainians, that "mistake" was their independence, and they’ve spent thirty years trying to build a future that looks toward Europe, not back toward Moscow.
The NATO Factor: Security or Excuse?
You’ve probably heard the term NATO tossed around constantly. Russia claims that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization—a military alliance of Western nations—is encroaching on its "sphere of influence."
Back in the early 90s, there were verbal discussions about NATO not expanding "one inch eastward." Russia clings to this. They argue that by inviting former Soviet states like Poland, Estonia, and Latvia into the fold, the West has been surrounding Russia with hostile weapons.
But there’s a flip side.
Ukraine isn't even in NATO. They’ve wanted to join for years, but the alliance has been hesitant, mostly because they didn't want to provoke Russia. Ironically, by invading, Putin has made NATO more relevant than it’s been since the Cold War. Finland and Sweden—countries that were neutral for decades—rushed to join specifically because they saw what happened to Ukraine.
The "Red Line"
For the Kremlin, Ukraine joining NATO is a red line they won't cross. They see it as a direct threat to Moscow’s doorstep. However, most historians and political analysts, like Timothy Snyder or Anne Applebaum, point out that Ukraine’s move toward the West wasn't just about military bases. It was about democracy. If Ukraine becomes a successful, Western-style democracy, it makes the autocratic system in Russia look bad by comparison. That’s a threat to the Russian leadership’s survival, not just their borders.
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A History of Tension: From the USSR to Maidan
The fighting didn’t actually start in 2022. It’s been going on since 2014.
To understand the roots, you have to look at the Euromaidan protests. In late 2013, Ukraine’s then-president, Viktor Yanukovych, ditched a planned trade deal with the European Union in favor of closer ties with Russia. People were furious. They took to the streets in Kyiv, camping out in the freezing cold for months.
It turned violent.
Yanukovych eventually fled to Russia. In the vacuum that followed, Russia seized the opportunity. They sent "little green men"—soldiers in uniforms without insignia—to take over Crimea. Shortly after, they backed separatist rebels in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine.
Since then, the Donbas has been a trench-warfare nightmare. Even before the full-scale invasion, over 14,000 people had died in that "frozen conflict."
What Putin Really Wants
It’s easy to get lost in the talk of maps and missiles. But at its heart, this is about identity.
Putin often references the "Kievan Rus," a medieval state that both Russia and Ukraine claim as their cultural ancestor. He uses this history to justify the idea that Ukraine shouldn't exist as a sovereign nation. He calls it "de-Nazification," a term that most international observers find absurd, especially given that Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, is Jewish and lost family in the Holocaust.
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Control of Resources
There's also a more pragmatic, cynical side. Ukraine is the "breadbasket of Europe." It has some of the most fertile soil on earth (chernozem). It has massive deposits of neon gas used in chip manufacturing, huge coal reserves in the east, and critical pipelines that carry Russian gas to Europe.
Controlling Ukraine means controlling a massive chunk of the global economy.
When the full-scale invasion hit on February 24, 2022, the world expected Kyiv to fall in three days. Russia brought parade uniforms because they thought they’d be celebrating a victory. Instead, they met a level of resistance that shocked everyone. Ukraine didn't just fight back; they humilated one of the world's largest militaries.
The Human Cost: More Than Just Numbers
While we talk about "why" the fighting happens, we can't forget the "how" it's affecting people.
- Displacement: Over 6 million Ukrainians are refugees across Europe.
- Destruction: Entire cities like Mariupol have been leveled.
- Energy: Russia has systematically targeted power grids, trying to freeze the population into submission during the winters.
It's a war of attrition now. Russia has more people and more artillery shells. Ukraine has more advanced Western tech and, arguably, more to fight for. They are fighting for their right to exist. Russia is fighting for a vision of the past.
Why the Fighting Continues Now
Peace talks have stalled for a very simple reason: neither side can afford to lose.
For Zelenskyy, any deal that gives away Ukrainian land is political suicide and a betrayal of the soldiers who died. For Putin, anything less than a "victory"—which he has never clearly defined—could lead to a coup or his downfall in Moscow.
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The front lines have barely moved in months, despite massive battles in places like Bakhmut and Avdiivka. It's become a meat grinder. Russia is using "human wave" tactics, sending poorly trained conscripts and former prisoners to overwhelm Ukrainian positions. Ukraine is trying to use precision strikes—HIMARS, Storm Shadow missiles, and F-16s—to cut off Russian supply lines.
Actionable Steps to Stay Informed
Understanding why are Russia and Ukraine fighting is the first step, but the situation changes daily. If you want to follow this without getting lost in propaganda, here is how to navigate the news:
1. Follow Verified Correspondents
Don't just rely on social media clips. Journalists like Christopher Miller (Financial Times) or Illia Ponomarenko (formerly Kyiv Independent) have been on the ground since day one. They provide context that a 15-second TikTok can't.
2. Use Interactive Maps
The DeepStateMap or the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) provide daily updates on troop movements. These are highly technical but they strip away the "spin" from both sides and show you exactly who holds what territory.
3. Look at Economic Data
Watch the price of grain and natural gas. These are the "silent" indicators of how the war is going. When Russia blocks the Black Sea, global food prices spike. Understanding this helps you see why countries in Africa and the Middle East are so invested in a conflict happening in Eastern Europe.
4. Vet Your Sources
Information warfare is a huge part of this conflict. Before sharing a "breaking" story, check if it’s being reported by at least two major, independent outlets like Reuters, AP, or the BBC. If it’s only on a random Telegram channel, be skeptical.
The fighting isn't just about a border. It's a clash between two different ideas of how the world should work: one where big countries can bully smaller ones into submission, and another where nations have the right to choose their own path. Until those two visions find some kind of middle ground—or one side simply can't fight anymore—the war will likely continue.