why did russia invade ukraine

Russia invaded Ukraine primarily because of Russia's desire to regain control over Ukraine and prevent its integration with Western institutions like NATO and the EU. Vladimir Putin viewed Ukraine's growing ties with the West as a threat to Russia's influence and national security. Additionally, Putin and the Russian leadership sought to assert Russia's sphere of influence over former Soviet republics, seeing Ukraine as a key part of that. The invasion was preceded by Russia's recognition of separatist regions in eastern Ukraine and claims of protecting Russian speakers, which were broadly discredited internationally. The invasion aimed to overthrow Ukraine's pro-Western government and install a regime aligned with Moscow. Putin justified the invasion with claims of protecting Russians in Ukraine and false allegations of genocide and Nazi threats. However, these claims were widely rejected and viewed as propaganda. The invasion escalated the conflict that began in 2014 after Russia annexed Crimea and supported separatists in eastern Ukraine. In summary, the primary reasons for the invasion are Russia's geopolitical ambitions to control Ukraine, prevent NATO expansion eastward, and maintain influence in its near abroad, coupled with Putin's fears of democracy spreading from Ukraine to Russia itself.