The crisis in Ukraine escalates dramatically. In a surprise move, Russian President Vladimir Putin first announces, in a one-hour televised address, the recognition of the independence of the self-proclaimed breakaway republics of Donetsk and Luhansk (already partially occupied by pro-Russian separatists), before ordering the deployment of troops to the Donbas region (the Donets Basin, composed of the republics of Donetsk and Luhansk). He also declares that Ukraine has no historical identity as a nation. Nearly 200,000 Russian soldiers are stationed on Ukraine’s borders on three sides: north, east, and south (Crimea).
