Since February Russian troops have been battling with Ukrainian soldiers, and thousands of civilians have lost their lives.
Tensions have been brewing between the two nations since as far back as 2014, when the pro-Moscow Ukrainian government, led by Viktor Yanukovych, was overthrown. This led to fears in the Kremlin that Ukraine was moving into the orbit of the West, and Russian troops were sent to annex Crimea.
Since then President Putin has campaigned against Ukraine, and many other Eastern European nations, joined NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation). He argues that Russia being surrounded by NATO members will be a matter of national security leaving Russia open to attacks.
