Case study of a country in which soveriegnty has been challenged - Ukraine

causes, challenges to government, impacts on people and places

When did Ukraine gain independence from USSR/Russia?

1991

Why has it been difficult for Ukraine to achieve democracy, economic reform + prosperity etc?

\-Geographical position - between Russia + EU

\-Internal political divisions → Russian-speaking areas in the East, Ukrainian-speaking areas in the West

\-Inability to build a common national identity and develop strong state mechanisms → there have been demonstrations, corruption, unpopular government policies etc

Why was there civil unrest in 2013?

\-President (at the time) Yanukovych failed to sign an EU trade agreement

\-800,000 protestors gathered in Independence Square in Kyiv at the end of 2013

\-Feb 2014 → clashes had turned deadly, 88 people killed on worst day

What did the conflict cause the government to do?

\-President Yanukovych disappears

What happens in Crimea after this?

\-Pro-Russian gunmen seize key buildings

\-March 2014 - referendum in Crimea where 97% of Crimea’s population vote for independence

\-Putin backs Crimea + signs a bill to absorb it into Russia

Which 2 regions of Ukraine delcare independence in May 2014?

\-Donetsk and Luhansk

\-Independence declared by pro-Russian separatists (this is not recognised by Ukraine or the West)

What does Ukraine do in response?

\-Ukraine’s army launches an anti-terrorist operation

\-There is a battle at Donetsk airport → at least 40 separatists died

How many soldiers did Putin send into Ukraine in February 2022?

\-Around 200,000

How many Ukrainians have been displaced as a result of this conflict?

\-13 million Ukrainians (either as IDPs or refugees abroad)

What was the original aim of the invasion and what was it changed to?

\-Original aim: enter Kyiv and depose government

\-Changed aim: liberate Donbas (region in the east that contains Luhansk and Donetsk)

How many casualties have there been?

\-hard to know - neither Russia or Ukraine have given details

\-Kyiv said that before Western military aid arrived in the East in summer 2022, 100-200 troops were dying every day

What has happened to Ukrainian evacuees?

\-moved to various camps

\-lack of income, poor access to food + healthcare → added to vulnerability of people who live there

How many losses of life have there been (of civilians) during the war?

\-7,000 deaths

\-13,900 injuries

Example of a city that has been impacted

\-Mariupol (in administrative region of Donetsk)

\-Was placed under siege by Russian forces until May 2022, when last Ukraine forces surrendered

\-90% of residential buildings destroyed