Russia-Ukraine War: Facts and Figures

The ongoing Russia-Ukraine War has left both countries with extensive damage and countless casualties. Below is a comprehensive list of the facts and figures related to this conflict.

Russia-Ukraine War: A Brief History

This war began after a Ukrainian rebel group, known as the Maidan Square Self Defense Forces, attempted to overthrow the government of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych on February 22, 2014. Yanukovych had been in power for nearly a decade and had become increasingly unpopular throughout the country. Soon after the uprising began, a group of Russian military officials invaded Crimea, a territory within Ukraine that has a large Russian population.

They quickly took control of the region and then declared it an independent state. Shortly afterward, Russia began annexing additional territories in east Ukraine, effectively taking control of the country’s eastern regions as well. Throughout the summer and early fall of 2014, the two sides battled over control of more territories, resulting in thousands of deaths and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of civilians. The war has escalated significantly over the past year and a half and has become increasingly bloody as both sides have used heavy artillery and other military assets in an attempt to defeat their enemy.

Current Situation in Ukraine and Russia

1. The death toll from the conflict thus far is over 9,500 people, most of whom have been killed by landmines. Roughly 50% of those killed have been civilians, while the others have been soldiers from both sides.
2. Approximately three million people have been displaced as a result of the war. Many have fled to neighboring countries like Poland and Romania in search of safety. Others have sought refuge inside Ukraine. Still, others have left the country entirely and have sought asylum in other countries around the world.
3. More than 800 villages have been destroyed by the ongoing fighting, leaving hundreds of thousands of people without access to basic services like electricity and running water.
4. Many people in eastern Ukraine have been forced to work several jobs to support their families as the war has caused large parts of the local economy to shut down. Some have resorted to begging on the streets in order to provide for themselves and their families. Others have taken dangerous jobs in mines or mills in order to earn money.
5. Although there has not yet been a peace agreement between the two sides, a ceasefire has been in place for the past several weeks. Both sides remain in a state of armed conflict, however, with soldiers still battling it out on the front lines on a daily basis. The situation remains volatile and there are no signs of any immediate end to the conflict in the near future.
6. The United Nations has expressed its concern over the deteriorating situation in Ukraine and has been calling on both Russia and Ukraine to end the violence and engage in peace talks. It has also offered to serve as an intermediary in an effort to facilitate reconciliation between the two countries. However, there have been no indications that either side is interested in engaging in any negotiations at this time.

FAQ: Russia-Ukraine War