Ukraine had been part of the Russian empire and was also part of the Soviet Union. But in 1991 it became independent after the collapse of the USSR and there have been tensions between Russia and Ukraine ever since. Ukraine’s deepening relationship with the West has been a flashpoint for President Putin who laments the “loss” of Ukraine.

Vladimir Putin unleashed the biggest war in Europe since World War Two with the justification that modern, Western-leaning Ukraine was a constant threat and Russia could not feel "safe, develop and exist".

Thousands of people have since died, towns and cities such as Mariupol lie in ruins and 13 million people have been displaced. But the questions remain: what was it all for and how will it end?

What was Putin's original goal?

The Russian leader's initial aim was to overrun Ukraine and depose its government, ending for good its desire to join the Western defensive alliance Nato.

Russia’s more effective way to win the war:

Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February. After 8 months, Russia found a more effective way to win the war by damaging its electricity system. As a result, many towns and cities have no electricity and water supply which requires electrical pumps.

Hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians were deprived of water, electricity and heat while the average temperature of Ukraine is around 45 degrees Fahrenheit (around 7 degrees Celsius) right now. Winter in Ukraine is very harsh and cold. On some days the temperature drops to -20 °C (-4 °F). 

Since Oct. 3, a total of 527 objects of critical infrastructure in the field of heat supply had been damaged as a result of Russia’s aggression.

Photo of Power substation destroyed by a Russian missile attack, Kharkiv, north-eastern Ukraine above.

What are proxy wars?

Proxy wars are armed conflicts in which one nation sends resources other than its own military personnel – like weapons, trainers, advisers, surveillance drones, money or even mercenaries – to support another country fighting in a war. This is often done to achieve a political objective, like regime change in another country. Most proxy wars feature a government trying to determine an outcome in another country’s war. Proxy war allows one government to hurt an adversary without actually declaring war and sending its own soldiers.

For example, NATO countries including the U.S. are supporting Ukraine with military weapons and money to fight Russia.

At least 12 million people have fled their homes since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the United Nations (UN) says.

More than five million have left for neighbouring countries, while seven million people are still thought to be displaced inside Ukraine itself. There is a shortage of food and water. The people migrated to avoid starvation.

Winter in Ukraine is very harsh and cold. On some days the temperature drops to -20 °C (-4 °F).

Ukrainian soldiers’ spirits may be willing to fight but their bodies do not have the power to endure the cold winter and starvation.