Ukraine’s population shrinks from 51.5m to 36.7m

According to information provided by World of Statistics, the population of Ukraine has shrunk from 51.5 million to 36.7 million in 2023.

World of Statistics disclosed this on its X, formerly Twitter, handle on Wednesday, May 08, 2024.

The statistics, however, based the population of Ukraine from its 1990 figures up till 2023 in the heat of the war against Russian invasion.

It indicated that between the period before the war commenced and the years following the war, Ukraine lost about 7 million of its population.

The recent loss, Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered, was as a result of war casualties and mass emigration of residents trying to escape the effects of war.

According to the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, in an updated death toll, 31,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed during the war.

On the other hand, Russia’s military death toll in Ukraine has now passed the 50,000 mark, says BBC report.

The population of Ukraine between 1990 and 2023 as captured by World of Statistics is as follows:

• 1990: 51.5 million
• 2000: 48.8 million
• 2010: 45.6 million
• 2020: 43.9 million
• 2023: 36.7 million.

Why did Russia invade Ukraine?

The Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 was a significant and complex event with roots in history, geopolitics, and regional tensions.

Here are some key factors that contributed to the invasion:

Historical Ties and Legacy

Russia and Ukraine share a long and intertwined history that dates back centuries.

In the last century, Ukraine was a powerful republic within the former Soviet Union and a major agricultural hub.

However, after Ukraine declared independence in 1991, its path to stability was tumultuous, marked by protests and government corruption.

Russia has closely monitored its neighbor to the West, and tensions escalated when Ukraine expressed interest in aligning itself with Western countries, including its desire to join NATO.

This move was perceived by Russia as a threat to its influence in the region.

Crimea Annexation and Donbas Conflict

In 2014, tensions reached a critical point after Ukrainians ousted a Russia-aligned president.

Russia, under the pretext of protecting ethnic Russians and Russian-speakers, annexed Crimea – a region of Ukraine – in a move widely condemned by the international community.

Simultaneously, Russia fueled dissent in the Donbas area of eastern Ukraine, supporting a separatist movement in Donetsk and Luhansk.

This conflict resulted in armed clashes and further strained relations between the two countries.

Ukraine’s Aspirations and NATO Membership

Ukraine’s expressed interest in joining NATO alarmed Russia.

NATO, founded partly to deter Soviet expansion during the Cold War, has expanded its membership to include former Soviet bloc countries.

Russia viewed Ukraine’s potential NATO membership as a direct threat to its security.

Russian President Vladimir Putin considered Ukraine’s alignment with NATO as a “hostile act,” leading to heightened tensions and military buildup along the border.

Vladimir Putin’s Ambitions

Putin’s ambitions played a crucial role.

He recognized the Russian-backed breakaway regions of Donetsk and Luhansk as “independent” people’s republics and ordered “peacekeeping” troops into those areas.

What began as a concerning situation escalated into what the Ukrainian foreign minister described as the “most blatant act of aggression in Europe since” World War II.

In summary, the invasion was a culmination of historical tensions, geopolitical interests, and power dynamics between Russia and Ukraine.

It had far-reaching consequences for both countries and the international community.

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