Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine: A Historic Day of Infamy

On the 27th of February, 2014, Russian government forces made their move to aggressively enter Ukraine’s Crimea peninsula. In a matter of days, Russia had taken total control of the region, marking the start of what would be a long and destructive conflict between the two countries. For the people of Ukraine, the 27th of February was a day of infamy that signaled the start of a disruption of their national sovereignty. Here, we look back at the events of that fateful day, and the impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The Beginnings of a Crisis

The crisis in Ukraine that would eventually reach a boiling point on the 27th of February had actually been brewing for some time. In November 2013, protesters had gathered in Ukraine’s capital of Kiev to protest their government’s decision to reject a treaty with the European Union. Under this treaty, the Ukrainian government had agreed to put a stop to talks of political and economic integration with the EU. This didn’t sit well with the Ukrainian people, who sought to align their country more closely with Europe.

The protests were massive and went on for months, with the demonstrators clashing with police and the government ultimately having to step down. Still, the protesters refused to disperse, and tensions in Ukraine eventually reached critical levels. It was during this time that Russia began to take advantage of the situation and started making moves towards the invasion of the Crimea.

Russia’s Invasion

On the 27th of February, 2014, the Russian government officially declared their intent to enter Crimea. Russia was quick to act, deploying military forces and intimidating the citizens of Crimea with airstrikes and threats of further action. The people of Ukraine were shocked and horrified as Russian forces took control of the region. In a matter of days, the region was lost and Ukrainian forces had no power to resist the Russin military machine.

The Aftermath

The events of the 27th of February marked a tragic period in the history of Ukraine, which would continue to suffer from the brutal invasion for years to come. Many Ukrainian citizens were forced to flee the region, and a war ensued between Russia and Ukraine over control of the peninsula. To this day, the conflict continues to rage on, with many innocent lives being lost and the future of Crimea is still far from certain.

Conclusion

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on the 27th of February will forever remain a dark stain on the history of the Crimean people. The region’s sovereignty and the lives of its citizens have been irreparably damaged. Only time will tell when, or if, the crisis in Ukraine will come to an end, but the Russian aggression of 2014 will never be forgotten.