Essay: The war in Ukraine and the history leading up to it

This essay is purely historical in nature, with no intention of promoting political ideas or pushing an agenda. The war in Ukraine is widely misunderstood, and this is my effort to document and preserve its history before it can be distorted or rewritten.

Preface: I am not a historian. What I know of eastern history stems directly from independent study and language courses I’ve taken and though my Russian may need improvement, I rely heavily on my ability to retain information. I’m open to corrections and criticism in the comments.

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The history of the Slavic peoples is a tapestry woven with triumphs, invasions, and cultural resilience, beginning in the 9th century along the banks of the Dnieper River. In this era, Oleg, ruler of Novgorod, established Kievan Rus, the first Slavic state, which became the cultural and political cradle of Eastern Slavic identity. Though the precise details are debated among historians, Kievan Rus flourished for a century until Prince Vladimir the Great, a pivotal figure, forged ties with the Byzantine Empire. His reign not only marked the Christianization of the Slavic people but also birthed Eastern Christianity, a complex and mystical tradition that continues to shape the region.

Upon Vladimir’s death, his successor Yaroslav the Wise fostered a shared sense of cultural pride among the Slavs, emphasizing the preservation of Slavic traditions. However, the rise of the Mongols in the 13th century marked a dramatic turning point. The Mongol invasion forced the Slavic peoples to retreat north and east, deep into the territories of modern-day Russia. Among the Mongols, a leader later known as Ivan the Terrible began consolidating power and expanding territory with relentless vigor. As the Slavs were displaced and scattered, their once-proud states became fragmented under the shadow of Mongol rule.

By the 16th century, Russia transformed into a state dominated by aristocrats and tsars, with Siberia emerging as a vital yet embittered region, exploited for its resources. While the aristocracy lived in luxury, the working class toiled in near-slavery, a dynamic that would sow the seeds of future unrest. Over the centuries, internal strife and economic discontent escalated, culminating in the eventual overthrow of Mongol influence and the establishment of a centralized Russian state.

As the tsarist era gave way to revolution, the Soviet Union emerged in the wake of World War I, reshaping Russia into a global superpower. The Cold War defined much of the 20th century, with tensions between the Soviet Union and NATO escalating into paranoia and propaganda. Despite Russia’s immense sacrifices during World War II, including over 20 million casualties, their attempts to join NATO after the war were rebuffed, fueling resentment that would simmer for decades. By 1991, the Soviet Union collapsed under the weight of economic strain and political unrest, marking the beginning of a new, chaotic chapter.

Enter Vladimir Putin, a former KGB officer who rose to power amidst this upheaval. Putin sought to restore Russia’s strength and influence, looking to the Mongol and tsarist past for inspiration. However, attempts to rebuild the “motherland” were marked by corruption, mismanagement, and further fragmentation of Slavic states. Yugoslavia dissolved in the 1990s, and Ukraine struggled to navigate its post-Soviet identity, teetering between old-world ties and aspirations for modern independence.

Ukraine’s trajectory shifted dramatically with the rise of a new leader, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Initially known as a comedian and actor who starred as an ambitious reformer in a political satire, Zelenskyy transitioned from fiction to reality, becoming president with a promise to bring Ukraine into the modern era. His leadership inspired a renewed push for Ukrainian sovereignty and integration into NATO, a move that enraged Putin. For Putin, Ukraine’s alignment with NATO threatened his vision of reuniting former Soviet territories under Russian influence.

This tension came to a head in 2022 when war broke out, as Putin launched an invasion to reclaim Ukraine and reassert Russia’s dominance. The conflict has drawn global attention, with Zelenskyy emerging as a symbol of resistance and independence. Meanwhile, Russia faces growing isolation, its dreams of reclaiming lost glory clashing with the modern aspirations of its neighbors.

The story of the Slavic people, from the foundation of Kievan Rus to today’s geopolitical struggles, is one of resilience, adaptation, and the enduring quest for identity. As history continues to unfold, it serves as a reminder that the past is never truly buried. It echoes through the present, shaping the conflicts and aspirations of our time.

Why does any of this matter?

The war in Ukraine is only a small story in the long running epic that is the Russian history.

War is never easy to comprehend. In Western media and news, conflicts are often oversimplified, stripped of their historical context, and framed only as immediate events. This approach ignores the centuries of tension, resentment, and unresolved disputes that often underpin such struggles. In the case of the war in Ukraine, there’s a palpable sense that we’ve all been misled in one way or another. Narratives are curated, motivations obscured, and truths buried beneath layers of propaganda.

Though the morality of war is always debatable, its ends rarely justifying its means, one cannot deny that this conflict feels inevitable. The Ukrainian people, exhausted and depleted from generations of exploitation, had long grown weary of being subjugated by Russian influence. Their frustration reached a boiling point, as they sought independence and autonomy after years of being bled dry. To attempt to resolve a war that has been brewing for two millennia, rooted in the alienation of Russia by the Western world, is not only ambitious but misguided. Understanding this conflict requires acknowledging its deep historical roots rather than merely focusing on its modern-day flashpoints. Without this context, any attempt to bring resolution risks being an exercise in folly.