Putin drizzles forces across Donbas in what could be but his first course

(Originally published Feb. 23 in “What in the World“) Russia has invaded Ukraine. Moscow’s forces have so far moved into the eastern Donbas region, specifically the two breakaway territories of Donetsk and Luhansk after Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized their independence. Some parts of those territories are held by Russian-backed separatists, but others are still held by Ukraine’s military, which creates the potential for what some warn could be the biggest war in Europe since World War II.

Putin also issued what appeared to be an ultimatum to Ukraine, demanding that it recognize Russia’s control of Crimea, which Russia seized in 2014, and give up advanced weapons. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called up the country’s reservists to aid in the nation’s defense.

So far, the U.S. and its European allies have responded only by leveling limited sanctions against Russian interests, leaving them room to add more if Russia advances further. While U.S. troops have been positioned in Eastern Europe to buttress NATO members there, and U.S. President Joe Biden has ordered more U.S. troops in Europe to head East. But none have been committed to Ukraine. There are, however, U.S. spy drones making regular flights over Ukraine, which raises the potential for Russia’s new client states to claim a U.S. incursion. In July 2014, Russian-backed rebels used a surface-to-air missile to down Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 on its way from Kuala Lumpur to Amsterdam, killing all 298 aboard.