Two Frontlines: Exploring the Commonalities Between Ukraine and Palestine

The conflicts in Ukraine and Palestine, though geographically distant and historically distinct, share profound similarities in their experiences of invasion, occupation, and the struggle for sovereignty. Both nations have faced external aggression that has led to significant territorial disputes, displacement of populations, and violations of international law.

Ukraine's history of subjugation under various empires, including the Russian and Austro-Hungarian empires, has fostered a strong sense of national consciousness and a desire for self-determination. Similarly, Palestine's history under Ottoman and later British rule laid the groundwork for its national identity, which was further solidified in the face of Zionist colonization and the establishment of the State of Israel.

Both Ukraine and Palestine exist in geostrategically critical zones, caught between the interests of regional and global powers. Their geographies alone have shaped the extent to which their conflicts attract international involvement. Ukraine has long been viewed by Russia as a buffer zone between itself and NATO. Since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Ukraine's shift westward—particularly after the 2014 Euromaidan Revolution—has been interpreted by Moscow as a direct threat. Putin’s geopolitical ambition includes restoring Russian influence over the post-Soviet space and weakening Western encroachment. Palestine, particularly Jerusalem, has immense religious and historical significance to three major world religions. It is also pivotal in the ideological and geopolitical struggle across the Middle East. Israel, backed militarily and diplomatically by the U.S., has pursued a policy of expanding settlements in the West Bank and maintaining a blockade on Gaza. This has created what many legal scholars and UN bodies refer to as a de facto annexation.

The military dynamics in both Ukraine and Palestine are characterized by significant asymmetries between the occupying forces and the local populations. Ukraine's military, bolstered by international support, has engaged in conventional warfare against a technologically superior Russian force. The establishment of the Unmanned Systems Forces in 2024 exemplifies Ukraine's adaptation to modern warfare, focusing on drone technology to counteract Russian advances. Despite these advancements, Russia's military capabilities have allowed it to make substantial territorial gains, particularly in the Donetsk region. In Palestine, the military imbalance is stark, with the Israeli Defence Forces possessing advanced technology and resources. Palestinian resistance has primarily manifested through asymmetric warfare, including the use of rockets and guerrilla tactics. The blockade of Gaza and the strategic limitations imposed on Palestinian forces have compounded the challenges faced in their struggle for sovereignty. Lacking air power, armor, or air defence, Palestinian militants rely on homemade rockets, smuggled arms, and a sprawling underground tunnel network. Their tactics are geared toward survival, disruption, and symbolism — not territorial conquest. The firing of rockets, while largely ineffective against Israel’s Iron Dome, serves both a military and psychological function: to project defiance and extract political costs from the occupation.

Since 2022, more than 14 million Ukrainians have been displaced internally or abroad. Cities like Mariupol, Bakhmut, and Avdiivka lie in ruins. Mass graves, torture chambers, and war crimes have been documented. The Russian military’s use of indiscriminate weapons, such as cluster bombs and missiles, has led to significant civilian casualties. Cities like Mariupol have faced complete destruction, with entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble. The siege-like conditions and encirclement of cities like Bakhmut and Kherson have further exacerbated the humanitarian crisis, making the delivery of aid extremely difficult. In Palestine, generations have grown up as refugees, from the 1948 Nakba to the latest strikes in Gaza. In 2022 alone, over 200 Palestinians were killed, including dozens of children. Checkpoints, demolitions, water shortages, and daily humiliations define life under occupation. Both Gaza and the West Bank suffer from inadequate healthcare systems, exacerbated by the blockade, occupation, and political fragmentation. Gaza’s hospitals are overwhelmed, often lacking basic medical supplies, such as antibiotics, surgical instruments, and life-saving equipment. The recent conflict in Gaza further stretched the system, with hospitals targeted directly by Israeli airstrikes, adding to the catastrophe.

Russia’s goals in Ukraine — regime change, demilitarization, and annexation — remain elusive. Despite major offensives and brutal tactics, Ukraine’s national identity and international support have only solidified. Israel’s objective in Palestine — long-term security and territorial control without conceding sovereignty — has also failed to achieve closure. Palestinian resistance persists, new generations join the fight, and peace remains distant.