Putin’s actions in Ukraine need to be looked at in terms of historical context. This is not the first time that Putin has invaded other nations. (Thread)
Chechnya (1999): In what’s known as the second Chechen War, Putin invaded Chechnya using missiles & cluster-bombs against citizens & villages. Hundreds of civilians & POW’s were executed. Chechnya is now part of the Russian Federation
Georgia (2008): Russian forces invaded Georgia & together with separatists committed war crimes & ethnic cleaning. Russia still maintains control of about 20% of Georgia’s internationally recognized territory
Ukraine (2014): Russian-backed separatists joined by Russian forces (without insignia) & unmarked Russian military vehicles began hostilities in Crimea & took control of the Crimean Parliament. Russia then annexed Crimea
Syria (2015): Invited by Assad, Putin sent military forces to help defeat pro-democracy rebels. Russia turned the tide in Assam’s favor using cluster & incendiary munitions, targeting medical facilities & crowded civilian marketplaces
Syria (con't): There were reports that Russian pilots would circle back after attacking civilian targets so that they could then attack the medical & aid workers dealing with casualties.
Russia has been accused of numerous war crimes in each of these conflicts. Putin has been successful pursuing the same playbook in each case, using overwhelming airpower & targeting civilians in terrifying attacks
He has had only success & faced no repercussions for these actions. This war is no exception & is only the next step in his dream to rebuild Soviet Russia. So what can we expect if he is successful again? #StandWithUkraine #DemocracyNotAutocracy 🇺🇦
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