In 2014, President Vladimir Putin seized Crimea from Ukraine, sparking a series of events that have led to the current conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The annexation of Crimea was met with a wave of patriotism in Russia, with Putin's popularity soaring as a result.
Since then, Putin has been determined to extend Russia's influence in Ukraine, with some of his top officials even discussing capturing the capital city of Kyiv. The conflict has escalated tensions between Moscow and the West to levels not seen since the Cold War.
