Why are Russia and Ukraine Fighting?

Although Russia insists their military presence in Ukraine is not a hostile occupation, for all practical purposes, Russia has now invaded Ukraine. What is the conflict actually about? How did we get here?

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Learn More:
Ukraine Divided Between East And West
http://www.vox.com/cards/ukraine-everything-you-need-to-know/i-hear-that-ukraine-is-divided-between-east-and-west-can-you-explain
"Since declaring independence in 1991, Ukraine has been divided, and this crisis is an extension of that."

Mapping National Identity Narratives in Ukraine
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00905992.2012.747498#.VAC8emRdXZE
"Since 1991, the absence of the concept of a Ukrainian nation and national identity has led to a controversial, often ambivalent process of identity formation."

Understanding National Identity: Ukraine's Ethnic Diversity
http://www.ewi.info/idea/understanding-national-identity-ukraine%E2%80%99s-ethnic-diversity
"Imagine if you went to bed in one country woke up the next day in another. "

What Is The Ukraine Crisis?
http://www.vox.com/cards/ukraine-everything-you-need-to-know/what-is-the-ukraine-crisis
"Ukraine is a Texas-sized country wedged between Russia and Europe."

Is it "Ukraine" or "the Ukraine"?
http://www.vox.com/cards/ukraine-everything-you-need-to-know/is-it-ukraine-or-the-ukraine
"It used to be 'the Ukraine,' but after breaking away from the Soviet Union in 1991 the name changed to just 'Ukraine.' "

Corruption Perceptions Index 2013
http://cpi.transparency.org/cpi2013/results/
"The Corruption Perceptions Index 2013 serves as a reminder that the abuse of power, secret dealings and bribery continue to ravage societies around the world. "

FRAGILE STATES 2013:
Resource flows and trends in a shifting world
http://www.oecd.org/dac/incaf/FragileStates2013.pdf

The State of the Poor: Where Are The Poor, Where Is Extreme
Poverty Harder to End, and What Is the Current Profile of the
World's Poor?
http://siteresources.worldbank.org/EXTPREMNET/Resources/EP125.pdf
"The State of the Poor: Where Are The Poor, Where Is Extreme
Poverty Harder to End, and What Is the Current Profile of the
World's Poor?"

Watch More:
Can the Russian media be trusted?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AdkT2QrJ8M&list=UUgRvm1yLFoaQKhmaTqXk9SA

Watch "Everything But the News"
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1mtdjDVOoOoYi9dkJ6YEm15_qFqwo0cy
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