AKE Insights Report: Brinkmanship on the Ukraine-Russia Border

From 30 March to 23 April the armed forces of the Russian Federation extensively deployed 100 miles from the border of Ukraine’s Donbas region, which since 2014 has been embroiled in conflict between Moscow-backed separatists and the Kiev-directed Ukrainian armed forces. The absence of any clear explanation for the deployment from Moscow contributed to fears from international observers that there was a risk of war. However, on 22 April Moscow abruptly de-escalated and ordered the withdrawal of its deployed forces in the area.

What is the risk outlook?