No, Russians and Ukrainians not are the same. They have been the same about 10-12 centuries ago. But all pass and all change...
It's a civil war. In most civil wars, the people who fight are pretty much the same, except for some different idea or someone's desire for political power.
Russia and Ukraine are not fighting. The Kiev government military and forces are attacking the local residents in eastern Ukraine, mostly the Donetsk region since they declared themselves independent. The self-defense forces are fighting back to keep control of this region.
You can read all about it, read all about it:
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_Russ...
No, "these people" aren't the same. They are from two different countries with two different backgrounds and two different languages. Yes, at one point, both were part of the Soviet Union, but it doesn't mean that the countries lost their national identity.
Most Ukrainians are passionate about their heritage and their country.
During WWII, Germany conquered Austria. Why did they want *their* country back? Aren't they the same people? They both speak German. . .
