'@MaitreLudard'
This isn't entirely true. There were various independent and semi-independent Cossack entities around the time between the area falling out of Polish-Lithuanian control and firmly into Russian control.
And then there was a Ukrainian state that existed for a few years after the Russian Revolution and during the Civil War.
But at the same time I agree that the tense is really confusing and inaccurate. It was a region that gradually fell deeper and deeper into Russian control after the Poles were chased out. Not really invaded. Even the later Soviet invasion wasn't really the reason for widespread Russophone ability.
One key factor often forgotten is that a large chunk of southern/eastern Ukraine was barely populated by anyone except nomadic tribes, until Russia crushed the nomads once and for all it was too dangerous for long term settlement by farmers and stuff. And it was only in like the 1700's that the Russians conquered the area and began to allow settlement. I don't know the demographics of the settlers? But even if they were mostly Ukrainian this all happened under Russian control and jurisdiction. Meaning that the strong presence of Russian there is sort of self-explanatory.
"As for the current invasion… I would find pretty scary that Russia could invade a country without giving any evidence of its presence despite american satellites scanning the region. "
There is extensive and really obvious evidence. Its not even very hidden, its hidden in the sense that Russia can't really be directly accused. So like...Russian soldiers who happened to not be wearing insignias (but might still be stupid enough to tell a reporter where they're from lol).
There are local militias and rebels from within Ukraine who are fighting the Ukrainian government too, but they're heavily supported by Russian units, mortar fire, and equipment. There's no debating the circumstances being as they are.
As for it being scary...well sure if you live in a non-NATO country that borders Russia where it would be easy for Russians to blend in to the local population of Russophone eastern Slavs? But unless you live in Belarus or Kazakhstan I wouldn't lose sleep over it.
Especially if you're French which it seems you are.
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'@MaitreLudard'
This isn't entirely true. There were various independent and semi-independent Cossack entities around the time between the area falling out of Polish-Lithuanian control and firmly into Russian control.
And then there was a Ukrainian state that existed for a few years after the Russian Revolution and during the Civil War.
But at the same time I agree that the tense is really confusing and inaccurate. It was a region that gradually fell deeper and deeper into Russian control after the Poles were chased out. Not really invaded. Even the later Soviet invasion wasn't really the reason for widespread Russophone ability.
One key factor often forgotten is that a large chunk of southern/eastern Ukraine was barely populated by anyone except nomadic tribes, until Russia crushed the nomads once and for all it was too dangerous for long term settlement by farmers and stuff. And it was only in like the 1700's that the Russians conquered the area and began to allow settlement. I don't know the demographics of the settlers? But even if they were mostly Ukrainian this all happened under Russian control and jurisdiction. Meaning that the strong presence of Russian there is sort of self-explanatory.
"As for the current invasion… I would find pretty scary that Russia could invade a country without giving any evidence of its presence despite american satellites scanning the region. "
There is extensive and really obvious evidence. Its not even very hidden, its hidden in the sense that Russia can't really be directly accused. So like...Russian soldiers who happened to not be wearing insignias (but might still be stupid enough to tell a reporter where they're from lol).
There are local militias and rebels from within Ukraine who are fighting the Ukrainian government too, but they're heavily supported by Russian units, mortar fire, and equipment. There's no debating the circumstances being as they are.
As for it being scary...well sure if you live in a non-NATO country that borders Russia where it would be easy for Russians to blend in to the local population of Russophone eastern Slavs? But unless you live in Belarus or Kazakhstan I wouldn't lose sleep over it.
Especially if you're French which it seems you are.