The Russia-Ukraine conflict is closely tied to the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union, which resulted in the formation of independent states, including Russia and Ukraine. In the aftermath of the Soviet Union's dissolution, tensions emerged between Russia and Ukraine over a number of issues, including territory, resources, and political influence.
One of the key factors that contributed to the current conflict was the 2014 Ukrainian revolution, which led to the ousting of Ukraine's pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych. In response, Russia annexed Crimea, a Ukrainian territory with a significant Russian-speaking population. The annexation of Crimea and subsequent Russian support for separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine has led to a protracted conflict, with both sides accusing each other of aggression and human rights violations.
However, the roots of the conflict go back even further, to the Soviet era, when Ukraine and Russia were part of the same country. The Soviet Union's dissolution in 1991 left a number of unresolved issues, including territorial disputes and questions about the status of Russian speakers in Ukraine. The legacy of the Soviet Union's collapse continues to shape the political and economic landscape of both Russia and Ukraine, and has played a role in the current conflict.