Perang Rusia-Ukraina: Kapan Dimulai?

Hey guys, let's dive into a topic that's been all over the news and has had a massive impact on the world: the Russia-Ukraine war. A lot of you have been asking, "Kapan Rusia dan Ukraina perang?" or "When did Russia and Ukraine go to war?" It's a complex question with a history that stretches back further than many realize. While the full-scale invasion we're all familiar with began in February 2022, the conflict's roots are much deeper, involving events and tensions that simmered for years. Understanding the timeline is key to grasping the gravity and the ongoing nature of this geopolitical struggle. So, grab a coffee, and let's break down when this whole mess really kicked off.

A Long History of Tensions

When we talk about the Russia-Ukraine war, it's crucial to understand that the February 2022 invasion wasn't the starting point, but rather a dramatic escalation of a conflict that had already been ongoing for eight years. To really get a handle on kapan Rusia dan Ukraina perang, we need to rewind to 2014. This year was a pivotal moment, marked by the Euromaidan Revolution in Ukraine, which ousted pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych. Following this political upheaval, Russia annexed Crimea and supported separatist forces in the Donbas region (eastern Ukraine). This led to a protracted, low-intensity conflict characterized by trench warfare, artillery duels, and a significant human cost, even before the large-scale invasion. So, while the world's attention was truly captured in 2022, the fighting, the casualties, and the displacement had been happening since 2014. It's this eight-year conflict that laid the groundwork for the full-blown war.

The Euromaidan Revolution and its Aftermath

The Euromaidan Revolution, also known as the Revolution of Dignity, was a wave of protests and civil unrest that began in November 2013. It was sparked by President Yanukovych's decision to suspend preparations for signing an Association Agreement with the European Union, opting instead for closer ties with Russia. The protests grew, fueled by a desire for closer integration with the West and dissatisfaction with corruption and authoritarian tendencies. By February 2014, the situation had turned violent, with clashes between protesters and security forces resulting in over 100 deaths. Yanukovych fled the country, and an interim government was formed. This dramatic political shift was viewed by Russia as a Western-backed coup, leading to its intervention.

Russia's Annexation of Crimea

In the immediate aftermath of Yanukovych's ouster, Russia moved swiftly to annex Crimea, a peninsula in southern Ukraine with a majority ethnic Russian population and home to Russia's Black Sea Fleet. Russian forces, initially unmarked but widely recognized as Russian soldiers, took control of key infrastructure and government buildings in Crimea. A controversial referendum was held, which resulted in a vote to join Russia. This annexation was condemned internationally, with most countries and international organizations deeming it illegal and a violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. This act significantly escalated tensions and marked a clear departure from established international norms.

The War in Donbas Begins

Simultaneously, in eastern Ukraine's Donbas region, pro-Russian separatists, with significant backing from Russia, declared independence and seized government buildings in several cities. This led to the War in Donbas, pitting Ukrainian government forces against heavily armed separatist militias. Russia consistently denied direct involvement, labeling its support as humanitarian and volunteer-based, though evidence pointed to substantial military and financial aid. This conflict, fought primarily in the Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts, became a brutal, attritional war. It resulted in thousands of deaths, massive displacement of civilians, and the establishment of de facto separatist republics recognized only by Russia and a few other states. Ceasefire agreements, such as the Minsk I and Minsk II agreements, were brokered but largely failed to halt the violence, with both sides accusing each other of violations. This frozen conflict continued for years, a constant source of instability and a precursor to the larger war.

The Road to Full-Scale Invasion

Even after the initial annexation of Crimea and the outbreak of the Donbas war in 2014, the situation remained tense but somewhat contained, albeit with devastating consequences for eastern Ukraine. So, when did the full-scale war between Russia and Ukraine begin? The answer is unequivocally February 24, 2022. This date marks the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, a massive military operation involving ground troops, air strikes, and naval forces launched from multiple directions. This wasn't just an escalation in the Donbas; it was an attempt to take control of major Ukrainian cities, including the capital, Kyiv, and to overthrow the Ukrainian government. The international community was largely taken by surprise by the sheer scale and audacity of the invasion, despite years of warnings and escalating rhetoric from Russia. The events of 2014 had unfortunately set the stage for this much larger and more destructive conflict.

Escalating Tensions Pre-2022

The period between 2014 and 2022 was not one of peace, but rather a simmering conflict. Russia continued to deny its direct role in Donbas while simultaneously increasing its military buildup near Ukraine's borders. NATO's eastward expansion, a long-standing concern for Russia, was often cited by Moscow as a justification for its actions, though Ukraine maintained its sovereign right to seek security alliances. Diplomatic efforts to resolve the Donbas conflict through the Minsk agreements faltered, leading to a stalemate. Throughout 2021 and early 2022, Russia began massing troops and military equipment along Ukraine's borders, ostensibly for military exercises. However, Western intelligence agencies warned of an impending invasion, while Russia dismissed these concerns as hysteria and disinformation. The rhetoric from Moscow became increasingly aggressive, questioning Ukraine's statehood and sovereignty.

The Invasion of February 24, 2022

On February 24, 2022, at approximately 5 AM Moscow time, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a