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I remember my high school history teacher talking about the initial spark between Russia and Ukraine and the issues it could lead to. He's a smart man

1:15 - Chapter 1 - A brief history 5:35 - Chapter 2 - The revolution & crimea 10:00 - Mid roll ads 11:25 - Chapter 3 - Summer 2014 16:30 - Chapter 4 - Ramping up the rebellion 19:40 - Chapter 5 - No end in sight 22:45 - Chapter 6 - Only a prelude

You can't call them separatists. They were fifth columnists helping a Russian invasion. That is how Russia conducts hybrid war. A separatist would be like in Quebec, where a vote is held democratically for an independant nation. These gunmen wanted to join Russia, and we led by Russians.

As a Ukrainian I got used to disinformation in western media when it comes to the war. Howewer, this video is well-made. I`m so glad that videos with deep great analysis exist.

Great videos, because even back in 2013-2014 when shit started really hitting the fan in Crimea, people in the US had absolutely no idea it was even happening or that it had turned into war, and then fast forward to the end of the ceasefire, most people here think it was the beginning of the war, when it was just the end to a ceasefire during a conflict that has been going on for almost 10 years now.

I had to search 'Warographics', to find this channel, after watching your video on the RC-135; While your other channels are mostly linked, this one was not listed, in going into the Channels list from that channel.

Great video. I've also heard a few pieces of information from other analysts. Crimea is home to the city of Sevastopol, where Russia's Black Sea Fleet is based. This port city is important because it is the only port that remains ice free year round for the Russian Navy to operate from. While Russia's Navy is probably not it's strongest military branch, having one branch of your military being unable to operate for half a year because of the weather isn't a good thing at all. Russia was leasing the port from Ukraine at the time of the protests. With the resulting change of government, Russia was uncertain if any new likely pro-EU government would let Russia continue to lease the port, and this uncertainty could have been a major reason for Russia to move the o annex Crimea. But there is also another reason. A few years before 2014, large reserves of oil and natural gas were discovered in Ukraine, so large in fact that Ukraine suddenly had the 14th largest natural gas reserves in the world. Many of the oil and natural gas reserves were located off the coast of Crimea. Now, the Russian government is majority funded by, and the Russian economy is essentially built up on the sale of natural gas and oil. If Ukraine were to develop their oil and natural gas reserves, Russia's oil and natural gas customers could decide to instead buy Ukrainian oil and natural gas, threatening the Russian government and economy. Plus, with Russia largely funded by the sale of oil and natural gas, Russia could always use more oil and natural gas to sell.

Simon's on his third VPN sponsor?! There is some untold drama happening in Sponsorship Land.

Thank you for covering the history of this conflict, Simon. It's important, but it hasn't received proper attention in the West for the last eight years.

Great summary

Thank you for this video.

A couple months behind on KZfaq and currently binging Whistler. I remember watching the 2014 events unfold on the news... and then disappeared without resolution. I hate the short attention span of the 24hr news cycle

Such an important prelude to understand the current war. Thanks for a great explanation of the conflict as always

Something important missing, why is Victoria Nuland‘s role in the Maidan 2014 event excluded in this video.

I remember learning a hell of a lot about these EXACT events about three or so years before the war, I correlated all of these points together while predicting the initial rush to Kiev. Not much to pride myself in but I wasn’t entirely *surprised* by all this

Phew that's a lot of information in short space of time but Spot on great stuff 😜☺️☺️

The Donetsk airport was newly renovated for Euro 2012. So sad to see it shambles like that....

I was flying in an out of Kiev during that time. Every airline knew not to fly over Eastern Ukraine. We were banned from that airspace by our airline and our regulator. To this day I cannot understand what the Malaysian was doing there.

Thanks for the very informative article 👍🏼👍🏼

Please can we have a Warographics special on the 1991 sieges of Vukovar and Dubrovnik in Croatia?The tank battles, urban fighting and tactical/strategic errors made are hugely relevant to today’s war in Ukraine. It was the biggest war in Europe since 1945 and seems to be repeatedly overlooked by experts and historians when various comparisons are made with Putin’s war in the media. Thanks.

Can't wait to read the comment section of this video.

Had a neighbor in the 2000s who'd worked in the Soviet Ministry of Defense, she said - one key reason the Ukrainians gave the nukes to Moscow - they couldn't fire them*. Moscow, unsurprisingly, kept launch control in its hands. So, they were simply very large, radioactive paperweights that Ukraine couldn't use and, in any event, couldn't afford to maintain, even if they had the launch codes. *yes, potentially, the plutonium, uranium could have been removed from the warheads and used to construct new devices but this was beyond Ukraine's financial and technical ability. The real fear of everyone - US, Russia, NATO - was that the said elements would be sold to the highest bidder - Pakistan, N Korea, Iran, etc. Interesting story about Iran - they have 3 Soviet era warheads. The Russian mafia stole them and then sold them to the Mullahs. Once again, the Iranians didn't have the launch codes and were unable to crack the encryption.

I was at uni in 2014 when the war first kicked off. There were a couple of us who went round to the Royal Marines recruiters office in case things escalated. Glad it didn't, but it seems like it was just a delayed reaction on Russia's part.

That was fuqing awesome Thank you

You should do one on cypress war

An important point that many commentators and 'brief history' videos often miss: 2013 Maidan protests did not 'turn violent' all of a sudden. A small number of pro-EU protesters (mostly students) were brutally attacked by police overnight, beat up and removed from the square. The next day, around a million people came out against police brutality and demanded apology and resignation from interior minister and police chiefs. Instead, Yanukovich doubled down and escalated the violence and oppression at every step, which in turn led to demands for his resignation and new elections. Russian media have promoted the 'cia coup' narrative quite successfully (still are), so I feel that it's still important to explain the nature and progression of the protest and dispel the popular myths.

2 little details that make this piece, at least, misleading. The second time Yanukovych won the election he asked the EU for money because the country was bankrupt. 12 or 15 billion euros if I remember correctly. The EU response was: flick off, we don’t have any money. The Russians instead offered him all the economic support he needed. Secondly, the EU told Yanukovych if you want a trade deal with us you must cut all your economic ties with Russia, who was their biggest commercial partner at that time. They simply asked Yanukovych to commit an economic suicide! Yanukovych won his second election with a pro-western message, and the western nations gave him the middle finger. He was cornered to the arms of the Russians by the same people who push him out of office after, by incentivizing and financing a coup. All of these details are public, and very important for you to overlook them.

Georgia 2008 was the real start. It was the exact same MO as 2022.

I see many people asking "how did Yanukovich got back in power if he was busted for cheating in elections?" Well, Simon did a time skip for the sake brevity in 2004-2010, so here's something to fill that void. After the "orange revolution", Yuschenko nominated another leader of the revolution as his prime minister, a woman called Yulia Tymoshenko. Together they set to deliver the promises made during the revolution. They failed spectacularly, partly due to divided parliament(Yanukovich got still 44 percent of the vote, so had genuine support among Ukrainians) and partly due to their inability to co-operate. Pretty soon they were dragged on to a conflict and argument between each other(Yuschenko fired Tymoshenko and her government in less than a year), wasting all the good will of the people they had acquired in a power struggle amongst themselves. To demonstrate just how bad it was, Yuschenko even nominated later Yanukovych as his prime minister. Following 5 years saw chaos in Ukrainian politics which among other things saw dissolution of the parliament twice and numerous accusations of corruption. Tymoshenko and Yuschenko basically competed who gets to call each other "Russian asset" the most. After 5 years of that shitshow, Yuschenko's reputation was in tatters. Remember how Simon told Yuschenko was able to get over 50 percent of the vote in 2004? Well in 2010, he got pathetic 5.45 percent. In second round Yanukovich managed to beat Tymoshenko by getting 48,95 percent of the vote, just 3.48 percent more than Tymoshenko, but it was enough. Yuschenko's and Tymoshenko's shenanigans created division and gave Yanukovich enough room to maneuver. Also while Yanukovich's close ties with Russia were in common knowledge, he didn't exactly declare "by the way, I'm going to pull stop on all attempts of integration with EU and west" during the election. While it was widely accepted that with Yanukovich's election would mean some sort of rapprochement with Russia, nuking the association agreement wasn't on the menu. Yanukovich found that out the hard way.

You should check out Ukraine War for Independence (1917-1921) It basicly ended with Ukraine split between Poland and USSR

Video needs more recognition

You touched briefly on the internal political situation in Ukraine, but I think there's a LOT more to be added to this that will help explain the unanticipated strength of Ukraine's resistance to the invasion. In particular, the election of Zelensky in 2019 represented to some analysts a break from the old East-West divide in Ukrainian politics. I think this is particularly significant because it was the competing patronage systems that Putin was playing off against each other for his advantage. In retrospect, Putin's support of sectioning off the separatist regions was a mistake, because without these factions participating in the 2019 election the results gave Zelensky a much stronger mandate.

People have been very uninformed about the seeds of the current events. I was in Belgium in 2005 and was having dinner with some locals. The mentioned the war that was going on in Europe and I just gave them a blank look. And I am someone that prides myself in keeping up to date with current affairs, I was very embarrassed and kept up to date after that with what little news I could find. Be that as it may, it’s really tragic that so many people are suffering and my heart goes out to all the innocents were are suffering daily. If your day was boring and work a bit stressful, consider yourself lucky.

Not sure why Yanukovych name is missponounced. How could it be overlooked while preparing for the video? I mean, just read his name as it's spelled everywere, why "k" at the end?

Not exactly consistent with other version of events, but interesting none the less.

The way you pronounce Yanukovych is absolutely insane.

I chose to watch this video NOT because I am unaware of the history and lead-up, but because I wanted to see whether or not the video makers would be honest in their presentation. I have been operating in the area for well over a decade, and I personally experienced much of the relevant events in Ukraine during this time. I admit that I was expecting misinformation. However, I found this presentation to be honest and thorough. Sure, one could include a whole lot more micro-detail, but this video captures the important parts. Well done by the Warographics team.

In 1994 I used to work for a Slovakian man who believed his neighbors were blowing poison gas into his yard. He was crazy, but DID live near a meth lab in Tujunga, CA (IYKYK). So I’d go there and “smell” the air for 2 hours and I’d get $40 after writing a statement about my observations. He also told me that if WWIII were to kick off it would start in the Crimea. He was crazy but VERY smart about history and politics.

There is quite a lot of omissions and inaccuracies in your video, though it definitely gives mere perspective to the current conflict. I'll point out just a few which are rather important. First of all, in February Yanukovich left Kyiv but not Ukraine. At least not at first. February 21 he signed a treaty (Crisis Management Treaty) with the opposition (Vitaly Klitchko, Arseniy Yatsenyuk, Oleg Tyagnibok) under the supervision of the German and Polish representatives - Frank-Walter Steinmayer, Radoslav Sikorski and Eric Fournier (France). By the terms of the treaty the President should have had his authority cut on behalf of the Parliament, so that Ukrainian constitution was restored to its 2004 version. Yanukovich also agreed to hold early Presidential election no later than December same year. Same evening he left for Kharkov to join a planned meeting. Next day 112 Channel airs his speech where he declined to sign any parliamentary decision. A couple hours later the Parliament signed a document that proclaimed him to "unconstitutional dereliction of duty" and moved Alexander Turchinov (not holding any political post at the time) for Ukrainian Rada Speaker. Same day, after the meeting had been cancelled, Yanukovich left for Donetsk for another meeting, and then for Crimea though between the two, it is told that he's ben evacuated to Krasnodar, Russia, by helicopter. Anyway, while he was in Crimea, SBU (Ukraine's Defence Bureau, equal to Russian FSB or American CIA) moved in to arrest him in company with Alpha and Falcon special ops units. February 23 - Turchinov proclaims himself Acting President until the elections in May. A move that Russia to this day considers a coupt. And only the next day, February 24 Yanukovich leaves for Russia. As for the Russian Forces moving in to secure Crimea. There has been a treaty between Russia and Ukraine to split bases in Crimea as well as armaments, so a contingent of Russia's Black Sea Fleet had been the from 1997 on till 2017 with a possible prolongation. This contingent included "up to 25,000 troops, 24 artillery systems, 132 armored vehicles, and 22 military planes on the Crimean Peninsula". So, despite that little is known for sure, there was no need for any other Russian military force to cross the border and get to Crimea to bolster the marines.

Good video 👍

Solid day across all channels today simon! Hopefully the algorithm picks this up because it's amazingly relevant and in depth. We need some more subscribers over here on warographics

Wow... Couldn't be more clear. Now I understand the situation as a whole. Thanks!

I remember when this started, they hit a Russian convoy and took it out and found literal Russian documents, they didn’t even try hiding it.

Was that an intentional typo of Minsk at 22:57?

You skipped the part where Yanukovych resigned and the US and Russia a deal to get him back but he had already fled and then they broke into his compound and that was it.

It must be noted that already in 2014 russia was shelling Ukraine with missile launchers from its own territory and the Ilovaisk encirclement happened cause russia has employed tank brigades directly through its border which was proven by the satellite images at the time. Oh, and the Girkin, is no only a separartist leader. He is a russian citizen and FSB colonel.

Forgot to mention givi and Motorola and how much of an impact they had

Glad I found this. I've read up on it online, but this summarises it nicely. I have now heard both sides of the argument on the break away republics, Orange Revolution, etc...the 'Coles notes' versions, anyway. You don't mention any involvement by the West, specifically the US in the two 'revolutions', but the fact that there were protests and popular support for the move toward the EU is always ignored by the 'pro Russia' side of this argument, calling the change in governments 'coupes'...but clearly they were not, as far as I can tell. Without the involvement of Russia the breakaways would not have had a chance, without the support of the West the Orange and Dignity revolutions probably still would have happened; Ukraine would still be moving toward the EU and away from Russia, it seems.

My uncle was a "cyborg" in Donetsk Airport. Since the start and killed in the end of the "siege"

JanukoviK? Was it really hard to learn to pronounce Č like you did with Jushcenko?

I'm already with nordvpn thru a previous video. Can I mix both vpn? 😅😅

At 5:13 when you said the orange revolution was peaceful. I beg to differ, I have seen documentaries and if you search on you tube you will see it. Do your research properly before making such statements.

Thank you. I have been attempting to understand the background of the present situation. This helped immensely. Now my head hurts less.

People seem to forget the 5 day war in Georgia.. the prelude etc..

Why no mention of the relentless NATO's expansion toward Russian borders with troops, military bases and offensive military hardware and the role of Victoria Nuland and her State Department crew on steering the fall of Viktor Yanukovych?

You guys need to do a video on the Battle Off Samar, also known as the last stand of the tin can sailors.

Very good production and layout. However there was no mention of US involvement in 2014 regime change, US funding Ukraine defense since 2014. Far right involvement in Ukraine millitary. Adding these points would be a far better balanced overall outlook of the situation in the Ukraine.

Are there any sources cited?

Yanukovych pulled out of the EU Accord when the EU made the deal contingent on an IMF loan that was not on favorable terms and risked a debt crisis. He went to Putin and was offered better terms. The IMF didn't like that and the Maidan Revolution popped up with strong organization and money.

does Putin think Ukraine is just going to accept Russian occupation? cuz even if they are occupied, the fuel for independence will continue to burn..

So many people do need to learn about the History of when things started.

Your researchers sure skipped paragraphs and left out chapters!!! I wonder why?

Over a year on this is still relevant and informative😊

On the other hand, there was also the breakaways in Chechnia Pt 1 & 2

I remember watching the vice on the ground coverage of Ukraine every might thinking how insane it was

Not usually a fan of the channel, but you guys knocked it out of the park with this video, Incredibly insightful.

i have so many questions but my questions incrementally go back hundreds of years lol

Please do one on the passenger jet on one of your channels

So in retrospect, what was the Budapest memorandum worth?

Hello Simon, I have just subscribed to your channel as I am enlightened to your narrative of what really happened and what is still happening the the Donbass region. Please keep up the facts, cause it's lacking in many other news channels today. I'll be following you. Thank you 🤩

Great overview, thanks!

Anyone know any good documentaries about this?

Tbh the part around 12:00 kind of glosses over how shady the early establishment of LPR and DPR were, most likely a bunch of "Little green men" special forces were there too, lots of the early separatists were always fully masked, professional, armed to the teeth and just "concerned citizens" who wouldnt tell reporters who they are or where they came from, just like in Crimea.

Good video with explanation, but also one big mention about role of girkin(strelkov), he was not only the first ruler of dpr, but he also was a gru russian agent, he was coordinated by kremlin and with his gru squad come in Donbas in 2014 and started all events. Also he was the main coordinator when mh17 was shoot down

Thanks for covering this topic. I noticed in a lot of videos one issue tho - the pronunciation of names and last names. Would it be possible, please, to look up proper pronunciation before filming? I understand the language barrier, etc, but sometimes it is really hard to understand who you are talking about. For example, Yanukovych - the last "ch" is pronounced like a "tsh" sound, the same as it sounds in Che Guevara

Great bit of history

Tbh some of these modern conflicts deserve the "casual criminalist" treatment of getting 1-3 hour long videos

Great summary and on point, obviously some details missed as example the EU agreement was not necessarily a problem, it was the conditions required which included NATO membership which was obviously a red line

What exactly is on the wall behind your head?

Thank you, sir! Very well explained 🫡👍

Thank you for summarizing. I remember when it started, but I was in middle school, and the TV coverage was mostly about how it affected the US more than anything else. I remember the airplane being shot down. There were so many conspiracy theories about that.

Excellent overview of the whole build up to our current situation.. I remember watching a lot of videos in 2015 and 2016 about crimea, donetsk and the self proclaimed peoples republics etc and i was just so confused - i believe that period wasnt really covered in great depth at that time

What about the ban on Russian language in Ukraine?

He forgot to mention who ordered the sniper hits in meidan square? And the strange phone call of a certain PM in regards.

Interesting to see the parallel between tge donetsk airport and azovstal defenders

This reminds of what happened in the Czechslovakia during the Sudentenland Crisis.

I was a US soldier stationed in Germany 2012-15. We thought it was time for WW3 when this happened. We were ordered to sit on a Reagan Missile Silo in Turkey for 9 months.

Too late now but at the time, referendums with international observers on Donetsk and Lushansk over autonomy may have been the best option. Now, who knows? Too many people have fled. This will be a long and costly war for everyone involved

Minks agreements😂😂😂 It's Minsk agreements, named after the capital of Belarus where they were signed

Fun fact: Yanukovik actually has a 'ch' instead of 'k' in his name, making him in fact a Yanukovich. Like dozen times you said his name incorrectly in the first minute. Obamer, Bidon, Cliton and Tramp.

What are you Mr expert? About everyone

Good info.. Id also recommended Ukraine on fire by Oliver Stone and also john mearsheimer talk on Ukraine. Both on youtube

Great video, I had heard about the annexation and the insurgency but had no clue that the scale of the fighting was so immense

Good video Simon. It‘s good to see the events that led to the Russian war of agression in a single video, as some events like the orange revolution were completely unknown to me and others after 2014 were not really covered on the news anymore due to other hot topics like the refugee crisis in 2015. This also made it easier to understand the links between all those events that happened prior to 02/22

How ? What's it going to do being "closer ties to eu" what exactly is going to happen ? And if Russia. What's going to happen?

What started it is that Russia sees the break up of USSR as loss of their territory. They do not accept the sovereignty of former Soviet republics.

Thank you very much for this video cleared up a lot of information for me

Sorry, my attempt at watching your video was short lived. Your voice is by far the most nauseating sound I ever had to listen to, and despite my best efforts, I had to press mute several times. Get someone else to do the videos please

Not a word about Nato enlargement to Ukraine and US policy in the region since 1991, the things that truly matters.