IndexInvasion of historyArmed conflicts between neighborsPublic awareness campaignsPreparing the groundRussia's unprovoked war in Ukraine underway in one of Europe's largest countries has meant that many people around the world would find out what Ukraine is. Many wars were broken out and many crimes were committed by the Russians to convert Ukrainians into Russians. Yet, for many people both in Ukraine and abroad, the question: "Why is Russia attacking Ukraine?" remains unanswered even after more than six months of intense hostilities and casualties. The fundamental reason for these wars and crimes was the Russian attempt to completely erase the unique character and old Ukrainian culture. This essay “Why Russia is attacking Ukraine” will examine this issue in detail. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original EssayInvasion of HistoryWhy would the Russians want to annihilate the Ukrainians? Well, it all started almost nine centuries ago. In 1169, Prince Andrey Bogoliubskyi sent his troops from the Muscovy region to seize and sack Kiev. Kiev was one of the largest European cities of the time and the capital of Rus, a powerful state later renamed Kyivan Rus. Solving the puzzle of why this was done is the first step in answering the question of why Russia invaded Ukraine. The humble replacement of the name from Rus to Kyivan Rus made it possible to invent other Rus. Let's say that there was not only one Rus located mainly on the territory of modern Ukraine. There were also the Rus further north, in today's Russia. The very name Russia was borrowed from the young nation of Muscovites to get closer to the centuries-old history and fame of ancient Rus'. Armed conflicts between neighbors But let's return to the sacking of Kiev. Bogoliubskyi's cruel assault, when Kiev was terribly plundered and devastated, is considered the first Russian-Ukrainian war. Over the following centuries, Ukrainians have consistently shown their inspiration for their lifestyle and appreciated their unique culture. Wars break out between Ukrainians and Russians from time to time, but Ukrainians didn't start them. In fact, armed conflicts between neighboring countries have been common in recent centuries. Ukrainians have also waged wars with their neighbors, including Poland and Türkiye. Today, however, both Poland and Turkey help Ukraine defend itself from Russian aggression. Like many other countries, they value peace, the national identity of nations and their right to self-determination. The importance of diplomatic negotiations to address thorny issues is therefore obvious. But not for everyone in today's world. Public awareness campaigns However, we cannot say that Russia only uses weapons to resolve conflicts. In the Russian attack on Ukraine, soft power was used extensively and, we must admit, successfully. For years, decades and even centuries, Russia has worked hard to develop myths that were beneficial to it. We have already analyzed the myth of Rus'. In fact, in the Moscow area there existed a state that inherited the cultural heritage of ancient Russia. The slightly changed name of the state suggests that the only heir of the Rus is Russia. Ukraine was then declared Little Russia, or Lesser Rus, while Greater Rus lay to the northeast of it. Russian tsars, and later emperors and other rulers, undertook many efforts and invested much money to persuade this Greater Rus, or today's Russia, to be honorable, ancient and deserving of all glory and worship. These myths were widespread among the population of Russia, Ukraine and the world, mainly in..