Why did Russia invade Ukraine?

Russia hoped to overthrow Ukraine's pro-Western government, but Moscow's war has dragged on for more than three years.

23 Feb, 13:51 — 24 Feb, 04:50

Excellent (88/100)

8 sourcesWide spread7 regions

Why this matters

Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 marked a significant escalation of a conflict that began in 2014, challenging post-Cold War European security and international law. The ongoing war has caused immense human suffering, created a refugee crisis, and led to widespread geopolitical and economic instability, impacting global energy markets and food security. Understanding the conflict's origins and current state is crucial for comprehending contemporary international relations and humanitarian crises.

Perspective Analysis

AI-generated comparison of how 8 sources cover this story

Most sources mark the fourth anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, focusing on the ongoing conflict's human toll, military stalemate, and geopolitical challenges. While the BBC provides foundational context on Russia's invasion motives, other outlets detail the current state of the war, its impact on civilians, and the effectiveness of international responses.

Political spectrum

LeftCenterRight

aftonbladet

der-standard

hotnews

bbc

jutarnji-list

die-presse

berlingske

Outlet rating This story

SourceOutletiGeneral editorial lean of the outletStoryiHow they covered this specific storyTone

aftonbladetcenter-leftleftanalyticalfocuses on stalemate and Russian demands

der-standardcenter-leftcenter-leftanalyticalcritical of EU's failure to support Ukraine

hotnewscentercenter-lefturgentemphasizes human cost and Ukrainian resistance

Coverage leans: center-left

Coverage largely focuses on the human cost and geopolitical challenges of the ongoing war, with some outlets directly questioning the invasion's motives or the effectiveness of Western responses, contributing to a slightly center-left lean.

What sources agree on

Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, marking the start of a full-scale war.
The conflict is ongoing four years later.
The war has resulted in significant human suffering and displacement in Ukraine.

Where they diverge

Primary focus of the 4th anniversary coverage

hotnewsberlingskedie-presse

These outlets emphasize the human cost, casualties, and the resilience or hardship faced by Ukrainians.

jutarnji-listder-standardaftonbladet

These outlets focus on geopolitical, economic, and diplomatic aspects, such as Russian revenues, Western sanctions, aid challenges, and peace talks.

BBC

This outlet provides background on the initial reasons and goals behind Russia's invasion.

Key claims6 unverified

Russia hoped to overthrow Ukraine's pro-Western government.

unverified·BBC

Ukraine has 10 million fewer people today due to deaths and displacement.

unverified·hotnews

Russia's revenue from oil and gas exports decreased, but the volume of exported oil increased over the past 12 months.

unverified·

Coverage gaps

Direct explanation of Russia's invasion motives and initial goals.

ReportedBBC

Missinghotnewsvgjutarnji-list+4

Details on the EU's failure to pass new sanctions and financial aid for Ukraine.

Reportedder-standard

Missinghotnewsvgjutarnji-list+4

Analysis of Russia's oil and gas export revenues and volumes.

Reportedjutarnji-list

Missinghotnews

Perspective Analysis

Comparing sources…

Story evolution

The narrative shifts from explaining the initial invasion motives to detailing the ongoing human cost, military stalemate, and geopolitical ramifications four years later.

Pre-anniversary contextFeb 23 afternoon

The BBC article provides background on Russia's invasion motives and the war's initial goals.

4th Anniversary reportsFeb 24 morning

Other outlets report on the ongoing war, its human impact, current casualties, and geopolitical challenges on the anniversary.

How outlets covered this

Left-leaning

aftonbladet

Ryska krav kvarstår: ”Önskelista till tomten”

der-standard

1461 Tage Krieg in der Ukraine: Vor genau vier Jahren griff Russland an

Center

hotnews

4 ani de război: „Le mulțumesc românilor pentru că m-au ajutat dezinteresat. Copilul meu s-a născut aici” – Oksana, unul dintre cei 10 milioane de oameni mai puțini astăzi din Ucraina

Tirsdag 24. februar: Dette skjedde i natt

jutarnji-list

Četiri godine otkako je Putin napao Ukrajinu. Objavljen je sramotan podatak za Zapad i Europu

die-presse

Bitterkalter Kriegswinter in Kiew: „Das Leben in den Städten ist unerträglich geworden“ [premium]

BBC

Why did Russia invade Ukraine?

Right-leaning

berlingske

På årsdag for invasion: Ukraine melder fem såret i angreb

Key entities

Russiaaggressor state Ukraineinvaded state PutinRussian President EUinternational political and economic union HungaryEU member state blocking aid SlovakiaEU member state blocking aid OksanaUkrainian refugee

Coverage Timeline

First report: BBC · 23 Feb, 13:51|Full coverage: All 8 sources within 15h|Window: 15h

Left-leaningCenterRight-leaning

BBC23 Feb, 13:51First to report

Why did Russia invade Ukraine?

15h later

die-presse24 Feb, 04:33

Bitterkalter Kriegswinter in Kiew: „Das Leben in den Städten ist unerträglich geworden“ [premium]

der-standard24 Feb, 04:41

Četiri godine otkako je Putin napao Ukrajinu. Objavljen je sramotan podatak za Zapad i Europu

vg24 Feb, 04:50

Tirsdag 24. februar: Dette skjedde i natt

hotnews24 Feb, 04:50Latest update

4 ani de război: „Le mulțumesc românilor pentru că m-au ajutat dezinteresat. Copilul meu s-a născut aici” – Oksana, unul dintre cei 10 milioane de oameni mai puțini astăzi din Ucraina

Read at source (8 outlets)

hotnews1h ago

4 ani de război: „Le mulțumesc românilor pentru că m-au ajutat dezinteresat. Copilul meu s-a născut aici” – Oksana, unul dintre cei 10 milioane de oameni mai puțini astăzi din Ucraina

Pe 24 februarie 2022, Rusia ataca Ucraina. Pentru că a refuzat să se predea și să dispară ca stat, țara are astăzi mai puțin cu 10 milioane de oameni, socotind morții și pe cei plecați…

By Sebastian Pricop

Read full article →

vg1h ago

Tirsdag 24. februar: Dette skjedde i natt

Read full article →

jutarnji-list1h ago

Četiri godine otkako je Putin napao Ukrajinu. Objavljen je sramotan podatak za Zapad i Europu

Novac koji je Rusija zaradila od izvoza nafte i plina se smanjio tijekom proteklih 12 mjeseci, no količina izvezene nafte se povećala, prema podacima objavljenim u utorak kada se obilježava četvrta godišnjica ruske invazije na Ukrajinu. Rusija se uvelike oslanja na prihode od energenata kako bi fina...

By redakcija@jutarnji.hr

Read full article →

berlingske1h ago

På årsdag for invasion: Ukraine melder fem såret i angreb

Ukraines statslige beredskabstjeneste siger tirsdag, at et barn var blandt de sårede i et angreb sent mandag.

Read full article →

aftonbladet1h ago

Ryska krav kvarstår: ”Önskelista till tomten”

Utnötningskriget har gått i stå och fredssonderingar fastnar i markfrågor.

Read full article →

der-standard1h ago

1461 Tage Krieg in der Ukraine: Vor genau vier Jahren griff Russland an

Die EU scheitert zum Jahrestag an neuen Sanktionen gegen Russland und milliardenschweren Finanzhilfen für die Ukraine. Ungarn und die Slowakei blockieren diese

Read full article →

die-presse1h ago

Bitterkalter Kriegswinter in Kiew: „Das Leben in den Städten ist unerträglich geworden“ [premium]

Am vierten Jahrestag des russischen Großangriffs sind viele Ukrainer von den Zumutungen des Kriegsalltags geschafft. Doch Aufgeben ist für die überwiegende Mehrheit keine Option.

Read full article →

BBC16h ago

Why did Russia invade Ukraine?

Russia hoped to overthrow Ukraine's pro-Western government, but Moscow's war has dragged on for more than three years.

Read full article →

Why did Russia invade Ukraine?

Why this matters

Perspective Analysis

Political spectrum

What sources agree on

Where they diverge

Key claims6 unverified

Coverage gaps

Perspective Analysis

Story evolution

How outlets covered this

Left-leaning

Ryska krav kvarstår: ”Önskelista till tomten”

1461 Tage Krieg in der Ukraine: Vor genau vier Jahren griff Russland an

Center

4 ani de război: „Le mulțumesc românilor pentru că m-au ajutat dezinteresat. Copilul meu s-a născut aici” – Oksana, unul dintre cei 10 milioane de oameni mai puțini astăzi din Ucraina

Tirsdag 24. februar: Dette skjedde i natt

Četiri godine otkako je Putin napao Ukrajinu. Objavljen je sramotan podatak za Zapad i Europu

Bitterkalter Kriegswinter in Kiew: „Das Leben in den Städten ist unerträglich geworden“ [premium]

Why did Russia invade Ukraine?

Right-leaning

På årsdag for invasion: Ukraine melder fem såret i angreb

Key entities

Coverage Timeline

Why did Russia invade Ukraine?

Bitterkalter Kriegswinter in Kiew: „Das Leben in den Städten ist unerträglich geworden“ [premium]

1461 Tage Krieg in der Ukraine: Vor genau vier Jahren griff Russland an

Ryska krav kvarstår: ”Önskelista till tomten”

På årsdag for invasion: Ukraine melder fem såret i angreb

Četiri godine otkako je Putin napao Ukrajinu. Objavljen je sramotan podatak za Zapad i Europu

Tirsdag 24. februar: Dette skjedde i natt

4 ani de război: „Le mulțumesc românilor pentru că m-au ajutat dezinteresat. Copilul meu s-a născut aici” – Oksana, unul dintre cei 10 milioane de oameni mai puțini astăzi din Ucraina

Read at source (8 outlets)

4 ani de război: „Le mulțumesc românilor pentru că m-au ajutat dezinteresat. Copilul meu s-a născut aici” – Oksana, unul dintre cei 10 milioane de oameni mai puțini astăzi din Ucraina

Tirsdag 24. februar: Dette skjedde i natt

Četiri godine otkako je Putin napao Ukrajinu. Objavljen je sramotan podatak za Zapad i Europu

På årsdag for invasion: Ukraine melder fem såret i angreb

Ryska krav kvarstår: ”Önskelista till tomten”

1461 Tage Krieg in der Ukraine: Vor genau vier Jahren griff Russland an

Bitterkalter Kriegswinter in Kiew: „Das Leben in den Städten ist unerträglich geworden“ [premium]

Why did Russia invade Ukraine?

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Why this matters

Story evolution

Key entities

Perspective Analysis

Political spectrum

What sources agree on

Where they diverge

Key claims6 unverified

Coverage gaps

Coverage matrix