Union Princes wrote:So Russia escalated the conflict and then invaded. Sounds like they are the aggressors here
That is literally the polar opposite.
If people are going to do a TL;DR at least be accurate in giving the TL;DR.
The course of events is as follows.
>Ukraine seeks to justify re-igniting the Donbas War, which had been pretty quiet for some years due to ceasefires and armistices. No real major fighting between Ukrainian and Separatist forces since 2016. Only the occasional pot shot every few weeks from either side. DPR and LPR recognized by Russia during this time as legitimate movements and Republics.
>Ukraine fires first. Blaming the Separatists while the Separatists blame the Ukrainians (but haven't actually fired back).
>Separatists do finally fire back but the Ukrainians begin a second, longer, preparatory bombardment.
>Ukrainian forces then invade which break any final truces, armistices, and ceasefire agreements both sides had signed. Ukraine is now firmly the aggressor since the Separatists haven't done anything else beyond their retaliatory strike and are only fighting defensively.
>Russia, clearly appalled at this flagrant disregard of years of diplomacy which had kept the Donbas conflict quiet. Launches an artillery strike on only one part of the Ukrainian army on Separatist soil. The strike itself not even deliberately meant to cause much damage given it was unguided ordinance fired at range. Only a few shells and rockets per piece. To try and make Ukraine back off back to their ceasefire lines. This precedent has been done by numerous nations historically in other conflicts and therefore would not, and should not, be seen as aggressive by Russia.
>Ukraine then launches deliberate artillery strikes against Russian artillery on Russian soil. Effectively, declaring war on Russia by this act since they're now conducting an aggressively hostile act on Russian soil without warning or justifiable pretense in the eyes of the international community. (I know Ukraines POV is different but this is to dispel clear OOC confusion).
>Russia, now double appalled that Ukraine would not only tear up all diplomatic agreements but then move to attack other nations directly when they try to enforce treaties Ukraine signed. Mobilizes its Belarusian and Western military districts for Operation Southern Star and Zapad. Knowing that Ukraine cares not for diplomacy and is willing to use any means necessary to achieve its public goals.
>Russia, then officially declares on Ukraine despite a state of war de facto existing between them ever since Ukraine violated Russian territory by launching their prior attack.
>Ukraine then de jure declares war despite already de facto being at war.
So no, Ukraine has been the sole escalatory body in this conflict.
