When Russia sent its troops into Ukraine a year ago, authorities in Kyiv were so desperate they were urging civilians to defend themselves with homemade explosives.

Twelve months on, Ukraine’s army is receiving some of the world’s most sophisticated weapons, courtesy of NATO allies who want to help Ukraine remain an independent sovereign state.

But as the West increases its military involvement, the prospect of the conflict escalating into something much bigger appears to be increasing.  

CGTN’s Owen Fairclough shares this story, a year into the crisis.