Catching up on the Russia-Ukraine crisis? Here’s the background you need to know.

4 yıl önce

For weeks, Western officials warned that a massive buildup of Russian troops on the border with Ukraine signaled a plan by Moscow to invade. In the early morning hours there Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced what he said was a âspecial military operationâ targeting Ukraine.

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Now, a full-scale invasion by Russian forces is underway, with artillery and missile strikes raining down on major cities and fears of a bloody battle for the capital, Kyiv.

Russia has said that it wants guarantees Ukraine will be barred from joining NATO â a non-starter for the Western alliance, which maintains an open-door policy. But for years, Russia has backed separatist fighters in the eastern part of the country, helping stir a simmering insurgency to undermine the Ukrainian government.

The current offensive could ignite wider conflict and upend decades of peace in Europe, as tens of thousands of Ukrainians flee to neighboring countries. But the invasion is already coming at a steep cost to Russia, which is now the target of sweeping international sanctions that could cripple its economy.

Whatâs next for Ukraine? Our reporters answer your questions about Russiaâs assault.

Hereâs what we know about why Russia has attacked Ukraine â and what could come next.

Since early December, U.S. intelligence agencies have warned that Russia was planning a massive military invasion of Ukraine. Hereâs why Moscow would do that. (Jason Aldag/The Washington Post)