Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1528235
and due to the demoralization and weakening of the oligarchic elites in the east, a power vacuum emerged, which Russia quickly exploited. In my view, the scenario for a hybrid invasion of Ukraine was initiated by Russia as early as February 21st, 2014. On that day in Kyiv, opposition representatives signed an agreement with President Yanukovych, mediated by representatives from France, Germany, and Poland, while the Russian representative present refused to sign. Soon after, the scenario of Yanukovych's escape to Russia was triggered, which was later used by Russia as justification for the invasion. The Russians seized Crimea, using Yanukovych to initially legitimize the new authorities on the peninsula. They initially planned to implement a similar scenario in eastern Ukraine, aiming to take not only Donbas but also other key regions in the east and south, such as Odessa and Kharkiv. The difference between Crimea and these regions remains founded in the fact that Crimea, according to Ukraine's constitution, was an autonomous region, so the task of separating it from the rest of Ukraine seemed relatively simple. In contrast, Donbas and other eastern regions were integral parts of Ukraine, requiring the activation of previously suppressed local organizations. These groups, supported by an aggressive minority, were to force regional authorities to enact changes similar ANALISYS