The The Structural Factors Behind Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine

Michał Lubina

doi:10.56583/fs.3102

Published : 2026-06-30

V. 19 N. 1 (2026)

The The Structural Factors Behind Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine

Michał Lubina

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3342-1763

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56583/fs.3102

Abstract

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, took the world by surprise. Although it was a continuation of Russia’s hybrid war against Ukraine, the scale of this invasion was of paramount importance. Why did Russia risk an open invasion instead of continuing its tactics of aggression in the “gray zone” between war and peace? Why is the Kremlin so desperate to conquer Ukraine at any cost? Why has this war become a modern-day version of Lenin’s “who whom” principle? This article attempts to answer these questions by analyzing the deep, structural factors behind Russian aggression in Ukraine, such as geographic (the Russian approach to space, buffer zones, the “near abroad,” and territorial expansion), cultural (the Russian belief in its own exceptionalism, messianic “defensive imperialism,” and the cult of militarism), historical (the “Russian World”; from Rus’ to Russian), systemic (authoritarianism versus democracy; neo-Sovietism, and patronal presidentialism), and ideological (revanchism, revisionism, and anti-Americanism). These factors, combined with the failure of Moscow’s initial plans for a quick victory, have created the reality of a war of attrition. Its outcome will be of immense significance for Russia, Ukraine, and the world.

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Lubina, M. (2026). The The Structural Factors Behind Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine. Facta Simonidis, 19(1), 253–273. https://doi.org/10.56583/fs.3102

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Questo lavoro è fornito con la licenza Creative Commons Attribuzione - Non commerciale - Condividi allo stesso modo 4.0 Internazionale.

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