Editing 2022 Russo-Ukranian conflict

The '''2022 Russo-Ukranian conflict''' is an on-going conflict between the [[Russian Federation]] and [[Ukraine]], which began with Russian military operations in 24 February 2022.<ref>{{News citation|date=2022-02-24|title=Russia invades Ukraine: Political, military leaders' reactions|url=https://www.reuters.com/markets/europe/leaders-key-quotes-after-russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24/|newspaper=Reuters|retrieved=2022-03-10}}</ref> 

In 2014, the US installed a pro-Western coup government<ref>{{News citation|title=How and Why the US Government Perpetrated the 2014 Coup in Ukraine|url=https://www.strategic-culture.org/news/2018/06/03/how-why-us-government-perpetrated-2014-coup-ukraine/}}</ref> which resulted in the rise of neo-nazism.<ref>{{News citation|date=2018-03-19|title=Commentary: Ukraine’s neo-Nazi problem|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-cohen-ukraine-commentary-idUSKBN1GV2TY}}</ref> (so much so that the Ukrainian army includes a neo-nazi battalion, the [[Azov Battalion]]) This right-wing pro-West government maintained hostilities towards ethnic Russians in the Donbass region of Ukraine.<ref>{{News citation|date=2022-02-17|title=Ethnic Russians in eastern Ukraine say attacked by govt. forces|url=https://parstoday.com/en/news/world-i166324-ethnic_russians_in_eastern_ukraine_say_attacked_by_govt._forces}}</ref> These hostilities led to the separatist movements to establish the [[Luhansk People's Republic]] and the [[Donetsk People's Republic]]. 

== Timeline ==

=== Background ===
In 1990, on a meeting between [[United States of America|United States]] secretary of state James Baker and [[Mikhail Gorbachev]], the US official guaranteed that "not an inch of NATO’s present military jurisdiction will spread in an eastern direction."<ref>{{News citation|journalist=Svetlana Savranskaya & Tom Blanton|date=2017-12-12|title=NATO expansion: what Gorbachev heard|url=https://nsarchive.gwu.edu/briefing-book/russia-programs/2017-12-12/nato-expansion-what-gorbachev-heard-western-leaders-early|newspaper=National Security Archive}}</ref>

While Russia was distracted with the Sochi Olympics, the US supported the Maidan coup which overthrew recently re-elected [[Victor Yanukovych]]. In response to this coup, Crimeans voted overwhelmingly in favor of seceding from Ukraine and joining into the Russian Federation.<ref>{{News citation|title=Crimeans vote overwhelmingly to secede from Ukraine, join Russia|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/crimeans-vote-overwhelmingly-to-secede-from-ukraine-join-russia/}}</ref>

Additionally, Donetsk and Luhansk seceded too. These breakaway republics had been locked in war with the Ukrainian army, which included outright nazi regiments like the Azov battalion.

[[Russell Bentley]] predicted that US president [[Joe Biden]] was seeking to reignite a dirty war in Ukraine with his support for the Nazi fanatics.<ref>{{News citation|journalist=[[Russell Bentley]]|date=2021-10-12|title=Is Biden Looking to Reignite a Dirty War in Ukraine? Recent Visit by U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin Raises Concerns|url=https://covertactionmagazine.com/2021/11/12/is-biden-looking-to-reignite-a-dirty-war-in-ukraine-recent-visit-by-u-s-defense-secretary-lloyd-austin-raises-concerns/|newspaper=[[CovertAction Magazine]]}}</ref>

Islamist militants from the terrorist group Hyatt Tahrir al-Sham are joining alongside the neo-Nazi fighters in Ukraine to fight against Russia.<ref>{{News citation|date=2022-03-08|title=450 Arab and foreign extremists from Idlib arrive in Ukraine|url=https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/450-arab-and-foreign-extremists-from-idlib-arrive-in-ukraine}}</ref> This is reminiscent of the original task of the CIA-backed Islamist militants who were tasked with fighting against the USSR during [[Operation Cyclone]]. 

=== Crisis ===
Tensions rose sharply in 2021 when the Brussels summit of the [[North Atlantic Treaty Organization]] (NATO) reiterated that Ukraine would become aligned with NATO,<ref>{{News citation|date=2021-04-14|title=Brussels Summit Communiqué|url=https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_185000.htm|newspaper=NATO|quote=We reiterate the decision made at the 2008 Bucharest Summit that Ukraine will become a member of the Alliance with the Membership Action Plan (MAP) as an integral part of the process; we reaffirm all elements of that decision, as well as subsequent decisions, including that each partner will be judged on its own merits.}}</ref> sparking outrage from Russian officials who considered the expansion of NATO a threat of their national security.<ref>{{News citation|date=2022-01-16|title=NATO expansion one of main threats to Russia’s national security - ambassador|url=https://tass.com/russia/1388653|newspaper=Russian News Agency TASS|retrieved=2022-01-24|quote="After the collapse of the USSR, the security situation in Europe deteriorated sharply. Five ‘waves’ of NATO expansion have brought the Alliance States forces closer to our borders," [the Russian ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov] stated.<br><br>"NATO is constantly building up its offensive potential, demonstrating military force along the perimeter of the Russian territory. [...]}}</ref> Russia began to build up troops closer to their borders, demanding that NATO stop its expansion towards Russia.<ref>{{News citation|date=2022-02-18|title=West promised not to expand NATO|url=https://www.rt.com/news/549921-nato-expansion-russia-document/|newspaper=[[RT (TV Network)|RT]]}}</ref>

The [[bourgeois media]] of the [[United States of America|United States]] has been hypocritically feigning support for the citizens of Ukraine while completely disregarding the humanity of those who suffer under their own heinous wars.<ref>{{News citation|journalist=[[Richard Medhurst]]|title=Hypocrisy of the West Is Unbelievable" {{!}} Richard Medhurst on Ukraine|url=https://youtu.be/lwkMBge05IA}}</ref><ref>{{News citation|journalist=Daniel McAdams|date=2022-02-25|title=Washington's Crocodile Tears Over Ukraine's Destruction|url=http://ronpaulinstitute.org/archives/featured-articles/2022/february/25/washingtons-crocodile-tears-over-ukraines-destruction/|newspaper=Ron Paul Institute}}</ref>

Former UN inspector [[Scott Ritter]] has said that NATO is too weak to face Russia.<ref>{{News citation|journalist=[[Richard Medhurst]]|date=2022-02-24|title=NATO Too Weak to Face Russia: Scott Ritter on Russian Offensive|url=https://youtu.be/3GkmdCaBECs}}</ref>

Germany violated its recent pattern of neutrality by sending weapons to Ukraine.<ref>{{News citation|journalist=[[Richard Medhurst]]|date=2022-03-02|title=Germany Sends Weapons to Ukraine, Breaks with Neutrality|url=https://www.rokfin.com/post/76665?utm_medium=Email&utm_source=Campaign&utm_campaign=New+Post+Email|newspaper=[[Rokfin]]}}</ref>

During diplomatic talks, Ukraine and Russia have agreed upon humanitarian corridors to allow displaced persons to flee war zones safely.<ref>{{News citation|title=Ukraine says talks with Russia agreed on humanitarian corridors|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-says-talks-with-russia-agreed-humanitarian-corridors-2022-03-03/|newspaper=Reuters}}</ref>

=== Reactions ===
All major [[Imperialism|imperialist]] countries, such as [[United States of America|United States]], [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland|United Kingdom]], [[Canada]], [[Japan]], and most [[European Union]] countries sanctioned since Russia began their military operations on February 24,<ref>{{News citation|journalist=Al Jazeera Staff|date=2022-03-03|title=List of sanctions against Russia after it invaded Ukraine|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/2/25/list-of-sanctions-on-russia-after-invasion|newspaper=[[Al Jazeera]]|retrieved=2022-03-08}}</ref> and as a result, it became the most sanctioned economy in the world.<ref>{{News citation|journalist=Nick Wadhams|date=2022-03-07|title=Russia is now the world's most-sanctioned nation|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-03-07/russia-surges-past-iran-to-become-world-s-most-sanctioned-nation|retrieved=2022-03-09}}</ref> In March 7th, twenty Russian [[Bourgeoisie|capitalists]] were also sanctioned by Japan.<ref>{{News citation|date=2022-03-07|title=Japan sanctions 20 more Russian businessmen, officials — MFA|url=https://tass.com/world/1418497|newspaper=Russian News Agency TASS|retrieved=2022-03-10}}</ref> The Russian government compiled a list of countries who have taken hostile actions against the country.<ref>{{News citation|date=2022-03-07|title=Russian government approves list of unfriendly countries and territories|url=https://tass.com/politics/1418197|newspaper=Russian News Agency TASS}}</ref> 

The [[Communist Party of the Russian Federation]] has expressed support for Putin's aims to denazify and demilitarize Ukraine, while also calling for the strengthening of local self-government.<ref>{{News citation|date=2022-03-02|title=The Response to External Pressure Must Be a Radical Change of International Policy|url=https://cprf.ru/2022/03/the-response-to-external-pressure-must-be-a-radical-change-of-international-policy/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302144216/https://cprf.ru/2022/03/the-response-to-external-pressure-must-be-a-radical-change-of-international-policy/|archive-date=2022-03-02}}</ref>

The [[Party for Socialism and Liberation]] in the United States has made a statement describing how the intervention was the result of NATO provocations against Russia.<ref>{{News citation|journalist=Party for Socialism and Liberation|date=2022-02-24|title=PSL Statement on Russia’s Military Intervention in Ukraine|url=https://telegra.ph/PSL-Statement-on-Russias-Military-Intervention-in-Ukraine-02-25|newspaper=Liberation News}}</ref>

The [[Communist Party of Cuba]] released a statement calling for a solution that guarantees security and sovereignty for all, describing NATO's progressive expansion as a military siege.<ref>{{News citation|date=2022-02-28|title=“Cuba advocates a solution that guarantees the security and sovereignty of all”|url=https://en.granma.cu/cuba/2022-02-28/cuba-advocates-a-solution-that-guarantees-the-security-and-sovereignty-of-all|newspaper=Granma|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228164107/https://en.granma.cu/cuba/2022-02-28/cuba-advocates-a-solution-that-guarantees-the-security-and-sovereignty-of-all|archive-date=2022-02-28}}</ref>

The [[Democratic People's Republic of Korea]] backed Russia's actions in Ukraine and claimed that US provocations and military aggression are entirely to blame for the present situation.<ref>{{News citation|date=2022-02-26|title=The U.S. Should Not Shake International Peace and Stability at the Basis|url=http://www.mfa.gov.kp/view/article/14444|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227002204/http://www.mfa.gov.kp/view/article/14444|archive-date=2022-02-27}}</ref>

The [[Communist Party of Britain]], while opposing NATO expansion, called Russia's military offensive unjustified and demanded a withdrawal of troops. It also pointed out that the unilateral Russian recognition of the DPR and LPR undermines the founding principles of the UN and gives imperialist powers an excuse to abuse such methods against other nations.<ref>{{News citation|title=Stop the war - start the peace|url=https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/stop-war-start-peace|newspaper=Morning Star|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228090419/https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/stop-war-start-peace|archive-date=2022-02-28}}</ref><ref>{{News citation|title=For peace and a just solution to the conflict in Ukraine|url=https://www.communistparty.org.uk/for-peace-and-a-just-solution-to-the-conflict-in-ukraine/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220301190552/https://www.communistparty.org.uk/for-peace-and-a-just-solution-to-the-conflict-in-ukraine/|archive-date=2022-03-01}}</ref> It supported the [[Stop the War Coalition]]'s call for the withdrawal of Russian troops.<ref>{{News citation|title=Yes, Russia should pull out — but Nato's warlike manoeuvres must end too|url=https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/e/yes-russia-should-pull-out-natos-warlike-manoeuvres-must-end-too|newspaper=Morning Star|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220222194209/https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/e/yes-russia-should-pull-out-natos-warlike-manoeuvres-must-end-too|archive-date=2022-02-22}}</ref> 

The [[Socialist Labour Party (UK)|Socialist Labour Party]] said the conflict can be resolved quickly, but only with a neutral Ukraine. It criticized the Communist Party of Britain's ''[[Morning Star]]'' in its recent coverage of Ukraine.<ref>{{News citation|journalist=Arthur Scargill|title=Scargill's reply to the Morning Star|url=https://www.socialistlabourparty.org/post/scargill-s-reply-to-the-morning-star|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307195208/https://www.socialistlabourparty.org/post/scargill-s-reply-to-the-morning-star|archive-date=2022-03-07}}</ref>

The [[Communist Party of Great Britain (Marxist–Leninist)]], on the basis that NATO has been conducting a three decade long slow-motion war against Russia, welcomed Russia's military challenge to NATO. It called denazification the surest way to peace.<ref name=":0">{{News citation|date=2022-03-01|title=Kiev junta facing defeat as Russia roots out fascist militias from Ukraine|url=https://thecommunists.org/2022/03/01/news/ukraine-kiev-junta-facing-defeat-russia-roots-out-fascist-militias/|newspaper=Proletarian|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220301214648/https://thecommunists.org/2022/03/01/news/ukraine-kiev-junta-facing-defeat-russia-roots-out-fascist-militias/|archive-date=2022-03-01}}</ref> The party criticized Stop the War's platforming of activists calling for imperialist escalation, as well as its call for a Russian withdrawal.<ref>{{News citation|date=2022-03-08|title=Renegacy of Stop the War on display once again at ‘antiwar’ events|url=https://thecommunists.org/2022/03/08/news/stop-the-war-renegacy-exposed-again-antiwar-movement-corbyn/|newspaper=Proletarian|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308172322/https://thecommunists.org/2022/03/08/news/stop-the-war-renegacy-exposed-again-antiwar-movement-corbyn/|archive-date=2022-03-08}}</ref> It welcomes Russia's recognition of the DPR and LPR. <ref name=":0" />

== Information warfare ==

=== Censorship ===
In response to the crisis, Western governments and corporations have been actively censoring voices that promote alternative narratives, notably those emerging from Russia or Russia-aligned states. Reddit has banned links to Russian media.<ref>{{News citation|journalist=Todd Spangler|date=2022-03-03|title=Reddit Bans Links to Russian State Media Across Entire Site|url=https://variety.com/2022/digital/news/reddit-bans-links-to-russian-state-media-1235195612/|newspaper=Variety}}</ref>

US-based video site [[YouTube]] is censoring anti-Ukraine war coverage.<ref>{{News citation|journalist=[[Jimmy Dore]] and [[Max Blumenthal]]|date=2022-03-13|title=YouTube Censoring Anti-Ukraine War Coverage|url=https://youtu.be/kbAz2nskhII|newspaper=[[The Jimmy Dore Show]]}}</ref>

=== Propaganda ===
The US government has been briefing TikTok influencers to promote the NATO / US narrative.<ref>{{News citation|journalist=Sara Cook|date=2022-03-11|title=White House briefs social media influencers on Ukraine crisis|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ukraine-russia-tiktok-white-house/|newspaper=CBS News}}</ref><ref>{{News citation|journalist=[[Richard Medhurst]]|date=2022-03-12|title=CRINGE! White House Hires TikTokers to Spread Anti-Russian Propaganda|url=https://youtu.be/Qs7FjpeaXuE}}</ref>

== References ==
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