On 24 February 2022, Russia launched a military invasion of Ukraine in a steep escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War. The campaign had been preceded by a Russian military buildup since early 2021 and numerous Russian demands for security measures and legal prohibitions against Ukraine joining NATO.
| Timeline of the Russian invasion of Ukraine | |
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Prelude
On 10 November 2021, the United States reported an unusual movement of Russian troops near Ukraine's borders. On 7 December, US President Joe Biden warned President of Russia Vladimir Putin of "strong economic and other measures" if Russia attacks Ukraine. On 17 December 2021, Putin proposesd a prohibition on Ukraine joining NATO, which Ukraine rejected.
On 17 January 2022, Russian troops began arriving in Russia's ally Belarus, ostensibly "for military exercises". On 24 January, NATO put troops on standby. On 25 January, Russian military exercises involving 6,000 troops and 60 jets take place in Russia near Ukraine and Crimea. On 10 February 2023, Russia and Belarus began 10 days of military maneuvers. Fighting escalated in separatist regions of eastern Ukraine on the 17th. On 21 February, Vladimir Putin officially ordered Russian forces to enter the separatist republics in eastern Ukraine. He also announced Russian recognition of the two pro-Russian breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine (the Donetsk People's Republic and the Luhansk People's Republic).
Initial invasion
Southeastern front
2022 Ukrainian counteroffensives
Second stalemate
2023 Ukrainian counteroffensive
In early June 2023, Ukraine launched a substantial counteroffensive against Russian forces occupying its territory with a long-term goal of breaching the frontlines.
Second winter campaign
See also
- Modern history of Ukraine
- Peace negotiations in the Russian invasion of Ukraine
- Timeline of the annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation
- International recognition of the Donetsk People's Republic and the Luhansk People's Republic
- List of military engagements during the Russian invasion of Ukraine
- List of Russian generals killed during the Russian invasion of Ukraine
- List of conflicts in territory of the former Soviet Union
- Second Cold War – Term referring to heightened tensions in the 21st century
- Territorial control during the Russo-Ukrainian War
- Timeline of the war in Donbas