A War for Life

The author outlines several periods and peculiarities of the russian-Ukrainian war of 2014–22. Within each of the seven periods, the author reaches beyond the significant military operations and names the political and diplomatic aspects that have influenced both the state of military and political events in general and the russian-Ukrainian confrontation and war in particular. For example, russia’s occupation of Crimea in 2014 is highlighted as an act of military aggression against Ukraine, a historical and legal falsification, and an international crime committed by the russian federation. The article offers an insight into the evolution of russian aggression and Ukrainian resistance. The author emphasises that the full-scale attack launched on 24 February 2022 as part of the broader russian-Ukrainian war is simultaneously characterised by its encompassing destructive extent, as well as civilisational and existential nature. The goal of the russian federation is the extermination of Ukraine and the entire Ukrainian nation; therefore, this is a total war. Starting from the early moments of the war, its five main fronts were clearly defined: Northern, Eastern, and Southern military frontlines, diplomacy, and people’s resistance. The people of Ukraine revolted against russia’s unjust war, and they defend statehood and the right to life. The article emphasises that the russian-Ukrainian war actually goes beyond the framework of a bilateral conflict and has signs of a general crisis in the world security system, which will lead to changes of global significance. Keywords: russian-Ukrainian war, periodisation, Minsk agreements, Anti-Terrorist Operation, Joint Forces Operation.