Was Ukraine ever part of Russia? When did the Ukraine leave Russia?

The Russo-Ukrainian War is an ongoing and protracted conflict that started in February 2014, primarily involving Russia and pro-Russian forces on one hand, and Ukraine on the other.

The war has centred on the status of Crimea and parts of the Donbas, which are internationally recognized as part of Ukraine.

Tensions between Russia and Ukraine erupted especially from 2021 to 2022, when it became apparent that Russia was considering launching a military invasion of Ukraine.

In February 2022, the crisis deepened, and diplomatic talks to subdue Russia failed; this escalated as Russia moved forces into the separatist controlled regions on 22 February 2022.

The territory of modern Ukraine has been inhabited since 32,000 BC. During the Middle Ages, the area was a key centre of East Slavic culture, with the loose tribal federation Kievan Rus’ forming the basis of Ukrainian identity.

Following its fragmentation into several principalities in the 13th century and the devastation created by the Mongol invasion, the territorial unity collapsed and the area was contested, divided, and ruled by a variety of powers, including the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Tsardom of Russia.

A Cossack Hetmanate emerged and prospered during the 17th and 18th centuries, but its territory was eventually split between Poland and the Russian Empire.

In the aftermath of the Russian Revolution, a Ukrainian national movement for self-determination emerged, and the internationally recognized Ukrainian People’s Republic was declared on 23 June 1917.

The Ukrainian SSR was a founding member of the Soviet Union in 1922.

Ukraine regained its independence in 1991, following the dissolution of the Soviet Union.