The announcement of the anti-terrorist operation was Kyiv's reaction to the annexation of Crimea and Russia's partial occupation of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. On April 12, collaborators of the Russian Federation, saboteurs, and the first Russian envoy to Ukraine crossed the territorial border, began seizing administrative institutions, etc. The occupiers had vehicles, weapons, and equipment. For a long time, Russia denied its involvement in the conduct of the war in the Donbas and immediately recognised the annexation of Crimea. However, involvement in the war in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions is confirmed by many facts, including the terrible disaster of the Boeing 777. In 2022, the world declared the official year of the beginning of Russia's war against Ukraine – 2014.
An anti-terrorist operation was quickly organised, which prevented the invaders from establishing full authority over the regions. It is the fighters of the ATO for years to deter aggression while Ukraine could develop. The beginning of the defence of their territories allowed the armed forces of Ukraine to change their army and improve tactics and weapons. Therefore, Kyiv was ready for a full-scale invasion and did not raise a white flag before the "second world army".
It should be noted that the ATO restrained the occupiers by force and armament. But Kyiv also (before 2022) attempted to resolve the conflict diplomatically.
"Today is the 415th day of the full-scale invasion of the 9-year war of the 100-year struggle against the Russian occupation," wrote the department of strategic communications of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The beginning of the war in the Donbas was just another stage and an attempt by Russia to destroy the Ukrainians. This was preceded by the pro-Russian president and the bloody Maidan organised by him. In less than 10 years, thousands of people gave their lives for the country's freedom.
