Russo-Ukrainian war (2022–present) — Safekipedia Discoverer

On 24 February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine, starting the biggest and most serious war in Europe since World War II. This fight grew from an earlier conflict that began when Russia first attacked Ukraine in 2014. The war has led to many soldiers and civilians being hurt or losing their homes. By May 2026, Russian forces still held about 20% of Ukraine, and millions of people had to leave their country because of the fighting.

Before the attack, Russia gathered many soldiers near Ukraine’s borders and made strong demands to the West, especially about Ukraine joining the group of countries called NATO. Russia said the invasion was to help areas in Ukraine that wanted to be separate, but many people around the world did not believe this. The fighting started from many sides, including from Belarus, Crimea, and areas in the east called the Donbas.

As the war continued, both sides fought hard. Russia moved back from some areas, and Ukraine was able to push them out of others. The war caused big problems for the world, including trouble with food supplies and damage to the environment. Many countries spoke out against Russia’s actions and helped Ukraine with support and supplies. Talks to end the war have had little success, and the fighting goes on.

Background

Further information: Russo-Ukrainian war and Russia–Ukraine relations

Post-Soviet relations

US president Clinton, Russian president Yeltsin, and Ukrainian president Kravchuk after signing the Trilateral Statement (1994). Russia and the US agreed to uphold Ukraine's independence and territorial integrity in return for Ukraine giving up its nuclear weapons.

After the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, Russia and Ukraine had friendly relations. Ukraine gave up its nuclear weapons in 1994 and joined the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Russia, the US, and UK promised to respect Ukraine's borders. In 1999, Russia agreed that countries could choose to join military alliances like NATO.

Ukrainian revolution

Main article: Revolution of Dignity

In 2013, Ukraine's parliament decided to join closer ties with the European Union. Russia tried to stop this and imposed economic sanctions. The Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych chose closer ties with Russia instead, which led to big protests called Euromaidan. In February 2014, almost 100 protesters were killed. Yanukovych fled, and Ukraine's parliament removed him and planned new elections.

Russian invasion of Crimea and Donbas

Main articles: 2014 pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine, 2014 Russian annexation of Crimea, and War in Donbas

The Normandy Format meeting in December 2019 was the only meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin.

In February 2014, Russian Soldiers with no insignia took over the Ukrainian area of Crimea. In March, Russia annexed Crimea after a vote under occupation. This was the first time since World War II that a European country took part of another country. The UN General Assembly said Ukraine's land should stay as it was.

Protests started in Donetsk and Luhansk, supported by Russia. In April 2014, armed groups took over towns and declared new regions. Ukraine tried to take the areas back, and Russia helped the groups with soldiers and weapons. Ukraine's parliament said the Donbas area was occupied by Russia.

When the conflict began in 2014, Ukraine was neutral and not trying to join NATO. After Russia took Crimea and invaded Donbas, Ukraine decided to seek NATO membership.

The Minsk agreements tried to end the fighting in Donbas, but they did not work. Some experts think the West's weak response encouraged Russia to invade again in 2022.

Prelude

Main article: Prelude to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine

Further information: Russian opposition to Ukrainian NATO membership and Disinformation in the Russian invasion of Ukraine

Russian military buildup and demands

In 2021, Russia moved many soldiers close to Ukraine's borders. Russia said this was just practice, but many people thought it was a sign that Russia might attack Ukraine soon. Russia's leaders said they did not plan to invade, but they made big demands to NATO, like stopping Ukraine from joining NATO. Some people thought Russia made these hard demands just so they would not be accepted, giving Russia a reason to attack.

Meeting of the NATO-Russia Council on 12 January 2022

In December 2021, Russia made a list of demands to NATO, asking that no country from the old Soviet Union ever join NATO. NATO said Ukraine and other countries have the right to join if they want to. Russia did not like this and kept moving more soldiers to the border.

Invasion plans

The Royal United Services Institute reported that Russia planned to quickly take over Ukraine and control the government. The decision to attack was made by Russia's leader and a few of his closest advisors.

Putin's invasion announcement

Main article: Putin's invasion of Ukraine speech

On 21 February, Russia's leader said Russia would treat two areas in Ukraine as separate countries. The next day, Russia sent soldiers there, saying they were peacekeepers. Early on 24 February, he announced what he called a "special military operation" to start fighting in Ukraine. He said this was to protect people in those areas and made many untrue claims about why Russia was attacking. The fighting began right after his speech.

Events

For a chronological guide, see Timeline of the Russo-Ukrainian war (2022–present).

For a more comprehensive list, see List of military engagements during the Russo-Ukrainian war (2022–present).

The invasion began at dawn on 24 February. It was the biggest attack on a European country and first full-scale war in Europe since World War II. Russia launched a simultaneous ground and air attack. Missiles struck targets throughout Ukraine, and Russian troops invaded from the north, east, and south. Russia did not officially declare war. Immediately after the invasion began, Zelenskyy declared martial law in Ukraine in a video speech. The same evening, he ordered a general mobilisation of all Ukrainian males aged 18–60, prohibiting them from leaving the country.

The first stage of the invasion was conducted on four fronts: one towards western Kyiv from Belarus by the Russian Eastern Military District, one deployed towards eastern Kyiv by the Central Military District (northeastern front), comprised the 41st Combined Arms Army and the 2nd Guards Combined Arms Army, one deployed towards Kharkiv, and a fourth, southern front originating in Crimea and Russia's Rostov oblast with an eastern axis towards Odesa and a western area of operations toward Mariupol. The invasion was unexpectedly met by fierce resistance. Russia failed to take Kyiv and was repulsed in the battles of Irpin, Hostomel, and Bucha. The Russians tried to encircle the capital, but defenders under Oleksandr Syrskyi held their ground, using anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles to thin Russian supply lines and stall the offensive.

By 7 April, Russian troops deployed to the northern front pulled back to resupply and redeploy to the Donbas. The northeastern front was similarly withdrawn for redeployment to southeastern Ukraine. On 26 April, delegates from the US and 40 allied nations met in Germany to discuss a coalition to provide economic support, military supplies and refitting to Ukraine.

Initial invasion (24 February – 7 April 2022)

Main article: 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine

The invasion began on 24 February, launched out of Belarus to target Kyiv, and from the northeast against the city of Kharkiv. The southeastern front was conducted as two separate spearheads, from Crimea and the southeast against Luhansk and Donetsk.

Kyiv and northern front

Further information: Capture of Chernobyl, Battle of Kyiv (2022), Bucha massacre, Siege of Chernihiv, Battle of Sumy, and Russian occupation of Sumy Oblast

Russian troops tried to seize Kyiv quickly with a spearhead on 24 February, from Belarus south along the west bank of the Dnipro River, with Spetsnaz infiltrating into the city supported by airborne operations and a rapid mechanised advance from the north, but failed. The apparent intent was to encircle the city from the west, supported by two separate axes of attack along the east bank of the Dnipro: the western at Chernihiv, and from the east at Sumy. Russian forces advanced into Chernihiv Oblast on 24 February, besieging its administrative capital within four days of fighting. Travelling along highways, Russian forces reached Brovary, an eastern suburb of Kyiv, on 4 March.

The US contacted Zelenskyy and offered to help him flee, lest the Russian Army attempt to kidnap or kill him; Zelenskyy responded that "The fight is here; I need ammunition, not a ride." By early March, Russian advances along the west side of the Dnipro were limited by Ukrainian defences. As of 5 March, a Russian convoy, reportedly 64 kilometres (40 mi) long, had made little progress toward Kyiv. Advances from Chernihiv largely halted as a siege began there. Russian forces advanced on Kyiv from the northwest, capturing Bucha, Hostomel and Vorzel by 5 March. By 11 March, the lengthy convoy had largely dispersed and taken cover. On 16 March, Ukrainian forces began a counter-offensive. Unable to achieve a quick victory in Kyiv, Russian forces switched to indiscriminate bombing and siege warfare.

On 25 March, a Ukrainian counter-offensive retook towns to the east and west of Kyiv. Russian troops in the Bucha area retreated north. Ukrainian forces entered the city on 1 April, and recaptured the region around Kyiv, and uncovered evidence of war crimes in Bucha. The Pentagon confirmed on 6 April that the Russian army had left Chernihiv Oblast; local authorities said Russian troops had left Sumy Oblast. NATO secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg said the Russian "retraction, resupply, and redeployment" of troops from the Kyiv area should be interpreted as an expansion of Putin's plans for concentrating his forces on eastern Ukraine.

Southern and eastern front

Further information: Siege of Mariupol, Odesa strikes (2022–present), Battle of Kherson, Battle of Enerhodar, Battle of Kharkiv (2022), Battle of Izium, Millerovo air base attack, Russian occupation of Kherson Oblast, Russian occupation of Zaporizhzhia Oblast, and Russian occupation of Kharkiv Oblast

On 24 February, Russian attack groups moved northwest from Crimea, capturing bridges over the Dnieper and the North Crimean Canal. On 1 March, Kherson was the first major city to fall to Russia. Russian troops moved on Mykolaiv and attacked it, but were repelled. Russian forces approached the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and besieged Enerhodar. By 25 February, Russian units had begun advancing on Mariupol. Russian forces captured Berdiansk. On 1 March, Denis Pushilin, head of the DPR, announced that it had surrounded Volnovakha.

By 18 March, Mariupol was encircled and fighting had reached the city centre, hampering efforts to evacuate civilians. The Russians demanded surrender, and the Ukrainians refused. On 27 March, Ukrainian deputy prime minister Olha Stefanishyna said that "(m)ore than 85 percent of the whole town is destroyed." Russia refused safe passage into Mariupol to 50 buses sent by the UN to evacuate civilians.

In the east, Russian troops attempted to capture Kharkiv, and met strong Ukrainian resistance. Izium was captured by Russian forces on 1 April after a monthlong battle. On 25 March, the Russian defence ministry said it would seek to occupy major cities in eastern Ukraine.

On 3 April, following the retreat of Russian forces from Kyiv, Russia expanded its attack on southern Ukraine, with bombardment and strikes against Odesa, Mykolaiv, and the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. By 7 April, the renewed massing of Russian troops and tanks around Izium, Sloviansk, and Kramatorsk prompted Ukrainian officials to advise remaining residents near the eastern border to evacuate to western Ukraine.

Southeastern front (8 April – 5 September 2022)

For a chronological guide, see Timeline of the Russian invasion of Ukraine (8 April – 28 August 2022).

By 17 April, Russian progress on the southeastern front appeared impeded by Ukrainian forces in the large, heavily fortified Azovstal Iron and Steel Works and surrounding area in Mariupol. On 19 April Russia launched an "eastern assault" across a 480-kilometre (300 mi) front extending from Kharkiv to Donetsk and Luhansk, with simultaneous missile attacks again directed at Kyiv and Lviv. An anonymous US Defence official called the Russian offensive "minimal at best".

By 30 May, disparities between Russian and Ukrainian artillery were apparent, with Ukrainian artillery vastly outgunned. In response to Biden's indication that enhanced artillery would be provided to Ukraine, Putin said Russia would expand its invasion to include new cities, and ordered a missile strike against Kyiv on 6 June after not directly attacking it for weeks. On 10 June, deputy head of the SBU Vadym Skibitsky stated that during the Sievierodonetsk campaign, the frontlines were where the future of the invasion would be decided:

This is an artillery war now, and we are losing in terms of artillery. Everything now depends on what [the west] gives us. Ukraine has one artillery piece to 10 to 15 Russian artillery pieces. Our western partners have given us about 10% of what they have.

On 29 June, US intelligence director Avril Haines said US agencies agreed the invasion will continue "for an extended period of time ... In short, the picture remains pretty grim and Russia's attitude toward the West is hardening."

The chief spokesman for the Russian Ministry of Defence Igor Konashenkov revealed that Russian troops were divided between the Army Groups "Centre" commanded by Colonel General Aleksander Lapin and "South" commanded by Army General Sergey Surovikin. On 20 July, Lavrov announced that Russia would respond to the increased military aid being received by Ukraine from abroad by expanding its special military operation to Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblasts. Russian Ground Forces started recruiting volunteer battalions to create a new 3rd Army Corps within the Western Military District, with a planned strength of 16,000–60,000 personnel. Its units were deployed to the front around the September Kharkiv counteroffensive, in time to join the Russian retreat. The 3rd Army "melted away" according to Forbes, having little impact on the battlefield along with other irregular forces.

Fall of Mariupol

Further information: Siege of Mariupol

On 13 April, Russian forces intensified their attack on the Azovstal Iron and Steel Works. Ukrainian prime minister Denys Shmyhal said Ukrainian soldiers had vowed to ignore the ultimatum to surrender and fight to the last. On 20 April, Putin said the siege could be considered tactically complete, since the 500 Ukrainian troops entrenched in bunkers within the ironworks and estimated 1,000 civilians were sealed off from relief.

After meetings with Putin and Zelenskyy, UN secretary-general Guterres on 28 April said he would attempt to organise an evacuation from Azovstal in accordance with assurances from Putin. On 30 April, Russian troops allowed civilians to leave under UN protection. By 3 May, after allowing 100 civilians to depart, Russian troops renewed their bombardment. On 6 May, The Daily Telegraph reported that Russia had used thermobaric bombs against the remaining soldiers. Zelenskyy authorised the commander of the steel factory to surrender as necessary. On 7 May, all civilians were evacuated.

After the last civilians evacuated, 2,000 Ukrainian soldiers remained barricaded there, 700 were injured. They communicated a plea for a military corridor to evacuate, as they expected execution if they surrendered. Reports of dissent on 8 May indicated that the commander of the Ukrainian marines had made an unauthorised acquisition of tanks, munitions, and personnel, broke out from the position and fled. The remaining soldiers spoke of a weakened defence as a result, which allowed progress to advancing Russian attacks. Ilia Somolienko, deputy commander of the remaining Ukrainian troops, said: "We are basically here dead men. Most of us know this and it's why we fight so fearlessly."

On 16 May, the Ukrainian General staff announced that the Mariupol garrison had "fulfilled its combat mission" and final evacuations had begun. 264 service members were evacuated to Olenivka under Russian control, while 53 who were seriously injured were taken to a hospital in Novoazovsk, controlled by Russia. Following the evacuation, Russian and DPR forces fully controlled Mariupol. Russia press secretary Dmitry Peskov said Putin had guaranteed that the fighters who surrendered would be treated "in accordance with international standards" while Zelenskyy said that "the work of bringing the boys home continues..."

Fall of Sievierodonetsk and Lysychansk

Main article: Battle of Donbas (2022)

Further information: Battle of Popasna, Kramatorsk railway station attack, Battle of Sievierodonetsk (2022), and Battle of Lysychansk

On 11 April, Zelenskyy said Ukraine expected a new Russian offensive in the east. American officials said Russia had withdrawn or been repulsed elsewhere, and was preparing a retraction, resupply, and redeployment to the southeastern Ukraine front. Military satellites photographed Russian convoys of infantry and mechanised units deploying south from Kharkiv to Izium on 11 April, apparently part of the planned Russian redeployment.

On 18 April, with Mariupol overtaken by Russian forces, the Ukrainian government announced that the second phase of the reinforced invasion of the Donetsk, Luhansk and Kharkiv oblasts had intensified with expanded invasion forces occupying the Donbas. On 22 May, the BBC reported that after the fall of Mariupol, Russia had intensified offensives in Luhansk and Donetsk while concentrating missile attacks and intense artillery fire on Sievierodonetsk, the largest city under Ukrainian control in Luhansk Oblast. On 23 May, Russian forces were reported entering Lyman, capturing the city by 26 May. Ukrainian forces were reported leaving Sviatohirsk. By 24 May, Russian forces captured Svitlodarsk. On 30 May, Reuters reported that Russian troops had breached the outskirts of Sievierodonetsk. By 2 June, The Washington Post reported that Sievierodonetsk was on the brink of capitulation with over 80% in the hands of Russian troops. On 3 June, Ukrainian forces reportedly began a counter-attack in Sievierodonetsk. By 4 June, Ukrainian government sources claimed 20% or more of the city had been recaptured.

Ukrainian authorities estimated that 800 Ukrainian civilians were besieged at the Azot chemical factory in Sievierodonetsk; Russian-backed separatists said it sheltered 300–400 soldiers. With the Ukrainian defences of Sievierodonetsk faltering, Russian troops began intensifying their attack on the neighbouring city of Lysychansk. On 20 June it was reported that Russian troops continued to tighten their grip on Sievierodonetsk by capturing surrounding villages.

On 24 June, CNN reported that, amid scorched-earth tactics by advancing Russian troops, Ukraine's armed forces were ordered to evacuate Sievierodonetsk; several hundred civilians taking refuge in the Azot chemical plant were left behind, with some comparing their plight to those in Mariupol. On 3 July, the Russian defence ministry claimed Lysychansk had been captured and occupied. On 4 July, The Guardian reported that after the fall of the Luhansk oblast, Russian troops would continue their invasion into the adjacent Donetsk Oblast to attack the cities of Sloviansk and Bakhmut.

Zaporizhzhia front

Russian forces continued to fire missiles and drop bombs on Dnipro and Zaporizhzhia. Russian missiles destroyed the Dnipro International Airport on 10 April. On 2 May, the UN, reportedly with the cooperation of Russian troops, evacuated about 100 survivors from the siege of Mariupol. On 28 June, Reuters reported that a Russian missile attack on Kremenchuk, detonated in a mall, had killed at least 18. France's Macron called it a "war crime".

The president of Ukrainian nuclear agency Energoatom called the situation at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant "extremely tense", saying that it was being operated by Ukrainian staff but controlled by up to 500 Russian soldiers, with Russia shelling nearby areas and storing weapons at the plant. Russia agreed on 19 August to allow IAEA inspectors access to the plant after a call from Macron to Putin. As of July 2023, access to the plant remained limited.

Russia reported that 12 attacks with explosions from 50 artillery shells had been recorded by 18 August at the plant and the company town of Enerhodar. Tobias Ellwood, chair of the UK's Defence Select Committee, and US congressman Adam Kinzinger said that radiation leaks would be a breach of the North Atlantic Treaty, under which an attack on a member of NATO is an attack on them all.

Russian annexations and occupation losses (6 September – 11 November 2022)

For a chronological guide, see Timeline of the Russian invasion of Ukraine (29 August – 11 November 2022).

On 6 September 2022, Ukrainian forces launched a surprise counteroffensive in the Kharkiv region, beginning near Balakliia, led by General Syrskyi. An emboldened Kyiv launched a counteroffensive 12 September around Kharkiv successful enough to make Russia admit losing key positions and for The New York Times to say that it dented the image of a "Mighty Putin". Kyiv sought more arms from the West to sustain the counteroffensive. On 21 September 2022, Vladimir Putin announced a partial mobilisation and Minister of Defence Sergei Shoigu said 300,000 reservists would be called. He also said that his country would use "all means" to "defend itself". Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to Zelenskyy, said that the decision was predictable and that it was an attempt to justify "Russia's Failures". British Foreign Office Minister Gillian Keegan called the situation an "escalation", while former Mongolian president Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj accused Russia of using Russian Mongols as "cannon fodder".

Russian annexation of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts

Main article: Russian annexation of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts

In late September 2022, Russian-installed officials in Ukraine organised referendums on the annexation of the Donetsk People's Republic and the Luhansk People's Republic, as well as the Russian-appointed military administrations of Kherson Oblast and Zaporizhzhia Oblast. Denounced by Ukraine's government and allies as sham elections, official results showed overwhelming majorities in favour of annexation.

On 30 September 2022, Vladimir Putin announced the annexation of Ukraine's Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia oblasts. Ukraine, the United States, the European Union and the United Nations all denounced the annexation as illegal.

Kherson counteroffensive

Main articles: 2022 Kherson counteroffensive and Liberation of Kherson

On 29 August, Zelenskyy announced the start of a full-scale counteroffensive in the southeast to retake Russian-occupied territory in the Kherson and Mykolaiv regions. By 4 September, Ukrainian forces had retaken the village of Vysokopillia. Ukrainian attacks also continued along the southern frontline, though reports about territorial changes were largely unverifiable.

In October, Ukrainian forces pushed further south towards the city of Kherson, taking control of 1,170 square kilometres (450 sq mi), with fighting extending to Dudchany. On 9 November, defence minister Shoigu ordered Russian forces to leave part of Kherson Oblast, including the city of Kherson, and move to the eastern bank of the Dnieper. On 11 November, Ukrainian troops entered Kherson, as Russia completed its withdrawal. This meant that Russian forces no longer had a foothold on the west bank of the Dnieper.

Kharkiv counteroffensive

Main article: 2022 Kharkiv counteroffensive

Ukrainian forces launched another surprise counteroffensive on 6 September in the Kharkiv Oblast near Balakliia led by General Syrskyi. By 7 September, Ukrainian forces had advanced 20 kilometres (12 mi) into Russian-occupied territory and claimed to have recaptured approximately 400 square kilometres (150 sq mi). Russian commentators said this was likely due to the relocation of Russian forces to Kherson. On 8 September, Ukrainian forces captured Balakliia and advanced to within 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) of Kupiansk. Military analysts said Ukrainian forces appeared to be moving towards Kupiansk, a major railway hub, with the aim of cutting off the Russian forces at Izium from the north.

On 9 September, the Russian occupation administration of Kharkiv Oblast announced it would "evacuate" the civilian populations of Izium, Kupiansk and Velykyi Burluk. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said it believed Kupiansk would likely fall in the next 72 hours, while Russian reserve units were sent to the area by both road and helicopter. On the morning of 10 September, photos emerged claiming to depict Ukrainian troops raising the Ukrainian flag in the centre of Kupiansk, and the ISW said Ukrainian forces had captured approximately 2,500 square kilometres (970 sq mi). Reuters reported that Russian positions in northeast Ukraine had "collapsed" in the face of the Ukrainian assault, with Russian forces forced to withdraw from their base at Izium after being cut off by the capture of Kupiansk.

By 15 September, an assessment by the UK Ministry of Defence confirmed that Russia had either lost or withdrawn from almost all of their positions west of the Oskil river, abandoning high-value military assets. The offensive continued pushing east and by 1 October, Ukrainian forces had liberated Lyman.

Winter stalemate, attrition campaign and first military surge (12 November 2022 – 7 June 2023)

Further information: Russian winter offensive in Ukraine (2022–2023), Battle of Vuhledar, Battle of Marinka (2022–2023), and Timeline of the Russian invasion of Ukraine (12 November 2022 – 7 June 2023)

After the end of the twin Ukrainian counteroffensives, the fighting semi-deadlocked during the winter, with heavy casualties but reduced motion of the frontline. Russia launched a self-proclaimed winter offensive in eastern Ukraine, but the campaign stalled with limited gains. Analysts blamed the failure on Russia's lack of "trained men" and supply problems with artillery ammunition, among other problems. Near the end of May, Mark Galeotti assessed that "after Russia's abortive and ill-conceived winter offensive, which squandered its opportunity to consolidate its forces, Ukraine is in a relatively strong position."

On 7 February, The New York Times reported that Russians had newly mobilised nearly 200,000 soldiers to participate in the offensive in the Donbas. The Russian private military company Wagner Group took on greater prominence in the war, leading "grinding advances" in Bakhmut with tens of thousands of recruits from prison battalions taking part in "near suicidal" assaults on Ukrainian positions.

In late January 2023, fighting intensified in southern Zaporizhzhia Oblast, with both sides suffering heavy casualties. In nearby southern parts of Donetsk Oblast, an intense, three-week Russian assault near the coal-mining town of Vuhledar was called the largest tank battle of the war to date, and ended in disaster for Russian forces, who lost "at least 130 tanks and armored personnel carriers" according to Ukrainian commanders. The British Ministry of Defence stated that "a whole Russian brigade was effectively annihilated."

In late 2022, as Russian casualties exceeded 50,000, the Russian army introduced barrier troops. The UK defence ministry stated that these are units that threaten to shoot their own retreating soldiers to compel offensives. In March 2023, Russian soldiers filmed a video addressed to Putin where they stated that after suffering casualties, they attempted to return to their headquarters but their superiors denied them evacuation and barrier troops were placed behind them threatening to "destroy them". In particular, Storm-Z units have been reported to be "kept in line" by barrier troops.

Battle of Bakhmut

Main article: Battle of Bakhmut

Following defeat in Kherson and Kharkiv, Russian and Wagner forces focused on taking Bakhmut and breaking the half-year-long stalemate there since the start of the war. Russian forces sought to encircle the city, attacking from the north via Soledar. After taking heavy casualties, Russian and Wagner forces took control of Soledar on 16 January 2023. By early February 2023, Bakhmut was facing attacks from north, south and east, with the sole Ukrainian supply lines coming from Chasiv Yar to the west.

On 4 March, Bakhmut's deputy mayor told news services that there was street fighting in the city. On 20 May 2023, the Wagner Group claimed full control over Bakhmut, and a victory in the battle was officially declared by Russia the next day, following which Wagner forces retreated from the city and were replaced by regular Russian units.

2023 Ukrainian counteroffensives (8 June 2023 – 1 December 2023)

For a chronological guide, see Timeline of the Russian invasion of Ukraine (8 June 2023 – 31 August 2023) and Timeline of the Russian invasion of Ukraine (1 September – 30 November 2023).

Further information: 2023 Ukrainian counteroffensive

In June 2023, Ukrainian forces launched counteroffensives on multiple fronts. Efforts faced stiff Russian resistance. By 12 June, Ukraine reported advances and liberated settlements. On 24 June, the Wagner Group rebellion briefly unfolded before a peace deal. In late June, Ukraine reclaimed territory in Donbas and made gains in Kherson Oblast. Russia heavily mined areas, making Ukraine the most mined country in the world. Following Russia leaving the Black Sea Grain Initiative, Ukraine targeted Russian ships. In September 2023, Russian strikes hit Ukrainian energy facilities. The US announced sending long-range ATACMS missiles and Ukraine struck the Sevastopol naval base.

In October–December 2023, Ukrainian forces crossed the Dnipro River despite heavy losses. On 1 December 2023, Zelenskyy stated that the Ukrainian counter-offensive was unsuccessful. In December 2023, media outlets described the Ukrainian counteroffensive as having failed to regain significant territory or meet any of its objectives.

Battle of Avdiivka

Main article: Battle of Avdiivka (2023–2024)

For a chronological guide, see Timeline of the Russian invasion of Ukraine (1 December 2023 – 31 March 2024).

In October 2023, it was reported that there were growing mutinies among Russian troops due to the extensive losses in Russian offensives around Avdiivka, with a lack of artillery, food, water and poor command also being reported. By November, British intelligence said that recent weeks had "likely seen some of the highest Russian casualty rates of the war so far."

On 17 February 2024, Russia captured Avdiivka, a longtime stronghold for Ukraine that had been described as a "gateway" to nearby Donetsk. Described by Forbes journalist David Axe as a pyrrhic Russian victory, the Russian 2nd and 41st Combined Arms Armies ended up with 16,000 men killed, tens of thousands wounded and around 700 vehicles lost.

Ukraine's shortage of ammunition caused by political deadlock in the US Congress and a lack of production capacity in Europe contributed to the Ukrainian withdrawal from Avdiivka, and was "being felt across the front" according to Time.

Russian offensives and Ukrainian incursion (April 2024 – present)

For a chronological guide, see Timeline of the Russo-Ukrainian war (1 April – 31 July 2024), Timeline of the Russo-Ukrainian war (1 August – 31 December 2024), Timeline of the Russo-Ukrainian war (1 January 2025 – 31 May 2025), Timeline of the Russo-Ukrainian war (1 June 2025 – 31 August 2025), Timeline of the Russo-Ukrainian war (1 September 2025 – 31 December 2025), and Timeline of the Russo-Ukrainian war (1 January 2026 – present).

Russian spring and summer offensives

Main articles: Battle of Ocheretyne and Northern Kharkiv front of the Russo-Ukrainian War

On 10 May 2024, Russia began a renewed offensive in Kharkiv Oblast. Russia captured a dozen villages; Ukraine had evacuated more than 11,000 people from the region since the start of the offensive by 25 May. Ukraine said on 17 May that its forces had slowed the Russian advance, and by 25 May Zelenskyy said that Ukrainian forces had secured "combat control" of areas where Russian troops entered the northeastern Kharkiv Oblast. Russian officials said that they were "advancing in every direction" and that the goal was to create a "buffer zone" for embattled border regions. The White House said on 7 June that the offensive had stalled and was unlikely to advance further.

Following the battle of Avdiivka, Russian forces advanced northwest of it to form a salient, capturing Ocheretyne in late April and further expanding the salient in the succeeding months. Russian forces also launched an offensive towards Chasiv Yar in early April, and by early July had captured its easternmost district. Another offensive in the direction of Toretsk was launched on 18 June, with the goal of capturing the city, and according to Ukrainian military observer and spokesperson Nazar Voloshyn, flanking Chasiv Yar from the south. Russian forces advanced to expand the salient northwest of Avdiivka in July, and on 19 July 2024, made a breakthrough allowing them to advance towards the operationally significant city of Pokrovsk.

Ukrainian offensive into Russia

Main article: Kursk campaign

On 6 August 2024, Ukraine launched their first direct offensive into Russian territory, the largest of any pro-Ukrainian incursion since the invasion's inception, into the bordering Kursk Oblast. The main axis of the initial advance centred in the direction of Sudzha, 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) from the border, which was reported by President Zelenskyy to have been captured on 15 August. Ukraine, taking advantage of the lack of experienced units and defences along the border with Kursk Oblast, quickly seized territory in the opening days of the incursion. The incursion caused Russia to divert thousands of troops from occupied Ukrainian territory.

Despite repeated deadlines set by Putin during 2024 to push out Ukrainian troops, Russian forces had not done so by the end of January 2025, with advances in Donetsk Oblast being prioritised over the Kursk salient. However, by the summer of 2025, Ukrainian forces had been mostly repelled from the area.

Late 2024–early 2026 Russian advances

Main articles: Velyka Novosilka offensive, Battle of Kurakhove, Battle of Toretsk, Pokrovsk offensive, Kupiansk offensive, and Battle of Chasiv Yar

Russian troops continued advancing in eastern Ukraine at a faster pace than prior to the Kursk offensive, including towards the operationally important city of Pokrovsk.

In late August 2024, Russian forces seized Novohrodivka, southeast of Pokrovsk, while capturing Krasnohorivka and Ukrainsk in early September. In late September, a Russian assault on the long-held city of Vuhledar began; after it fell on 1 October, the city with a pre-war population of about 14,000 was described as a "sprawling ruin".

On 30 October 2024, Ukrainian Major General Dmytro Marchenko was reported to have said "our front has crumbled" due to a dwindling ammunition supply, problems with military recruitment, and poor leadership. He said Zelensky's victory plan was too heavily focused on Western support. Briefings from Western officials had also become more pessimistic. According to the Prosecutor General's Office, more than 100,000 criminal cases for desertion were initiated by the end of November 2024. Russian forces captured the city of Kurakhove in late December 2024, and the nearby Kurakhove Power Station in January 2025.

In early 2025, Russian forces advanced in eastern Ukraine, with Russia claiming to have captured Velyka Novosilka in January. Russia continued attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure. In February 2025, Ukraine's government approved a one-year contract for volunteers aged 18–24 not subject to mobilisation. By April 2025, Russian advances had slowed, according to Seth Jones from the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Russian attacks on civilians also intensified, with the month of June seeing the highest civilian casualty count in Ukraine since the start of the invasion, with 232 killed and 1,343 injured. Russia killed at least 21 civilians including children in the second largest strike of the war overnight on 27 and 28 August, damaging European diplomatic facilities along with civilian infrastructure.

Putin declared in March 2025 that "there are reasons to believe we can finish off Ukrainian forces", as a Russian summer offensive was expected. Russia planned to expand into Sumy and Kharkiv, however, the actual offensive was generally considered a failure with modest gains at the cost of heavy casualties. By September 2025, Russian forces had not achieved any frontline breakthroughs, with key strategic objectives like Pokrovsk still held by Ukraine.

Russia escalated attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure. In response, Ukraine attacked Russian energy and logistical networks, including targeting oil facilities, causing a Russian fuel crisis.

During October and November 2025, Russian forces intensified operations around Pokrovsk. Russia advanced hundreds of square miles, applying sustained pressure on Ukrainian defensive lines. By late October, there was fighting within Pokrovsk city proper. On 1 December, Russia claimed to have captured the city, although there were still Ukrainian forces in the northern portion. Russia reportedly fully captured Pokrovsk, Myrnohrad and Huliaipole in early 2026.

In December 2025, following Russian claims of controlling Kupiansk, Zelenskyy visited the city. Ukraine said it had retaken parts of Kupiansk, and a Ukrainian commander stated that Russian troops stationed there were surrounded. The ISW reported that Russian ultranationalist milbloggers acknowledged the severity of the situation for Russian forces, and that Russian claims of advances in the area had been used as part of a cognitive warfare effort.

Early 2026 saw Ukraine make its largest battlefield gains in over two and a half years (not counting the Kursk offensive): according to ISW data, it retook over 200 square kilometres (77 sq mi) between 11 and 15 February. The advance coincided with the Russian military being blocked from using Starlink, causing communication issues compounded by the Russian government cutting access to Telegram. Despite this, Russia gained net territory in February. Western officials also said that for the first time since the invasion, Russia was suffering more losses than it was able to recruit new personnel.

On 14 May 2026, Russia launched one of the largest combined aerial assaults of the war against Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities.

Return only the adapted Markdown section. No explanation, no preamble.## Events

For a chronological guide, see Timeline of the Russo-Ukrainian war (2022–present).

For a more comprehensive list, see List of military engagements during the Russo-Ukrainian war (2022–present).

Initial invasion (24 February – 7 April 2022)

Main article: 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine

Kyiv and northern front

Further information: Capture of Chernobyl, Battle of Kyiv (2022), Bucha massacre, Siege of Chernihiv, Battle of Sumy, and Russian occupation of Sumy Oblast

Southern and eastern front

Southeastern front (8 April – 5 September 2022)

For a chronological guide, see Timeline of the Russian invasion of Ukraine (8 April – 28 August 2022).

This is an artillery war now, and we are losing in terms of artillery. Everything now depends on what [the west] gives us. Ukraine has one artillery piece to 10 to 15 Russian artillery pieces. Our western partners have given us about 10% of what they have.

Fall of Mariupol

Further information: Siege of Mariupol

Fall of Sievierodonetsk and Lysychansk

Main article: Battle of Donbas (2022)

Further information: Battle of Popasna, Kramatorsk railway station attack, Battle of Sievierodonetsk (2022), and Battle of Lysychansk

Zaporizhzhia front

Winter stalemate, attrition campaign and first military surge (12 November 2022 – 7 June 2023)

Battle of Bakhmut

Main article: Battle of Bakhmut

2023 Ukrainian counteroffensives (8 June 2023 – 1 December 2023)

For a chronological guide, see Timeline of the Russian invasion of Ukraine (8 June 2023 – 31 August 2023) and Timeline of the Russian invasion of Ukraine (1 September – 30 November 2023).

Further information: 2023 Ukrainian counteroffensive

Battle of Avdiivka

Main article: Battle of Avdiivka (2023–2024)

For a chronological guide, see Timeline of the Russian invasion of Ukraine (1 December 2023 – 31 March 2024).

Russian offensives and Ukrainian incursion (April 2024 – present)

Russian spring and summer offensives

Main articles: Battle of Ocheretyne and Northern Kharkiv front of the Russo-Ukrainian War

Ukrainian offensive into Russia

Main article: Kursk campaign

Late 2024–early 2026 Russian advances

Main articles: Velyka Novosilka offensive, Battle of Kurakhove, Battle of Toretsk, Pokrovsk offensive, Kupiansk offensive, and Battle of Chasiv Yar

Russian troops continued advancing in eastern Ukraine at a faster pace than prior to the Kursk offensive, including towards the operationally important city of Pokrovsk.

Russia escalated attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure. In response, Ukraine attacked Russian energy and logistical networks, including targeting oil facilities, causing a Russian fuel crisis.

On 14 May 2026, Russia launched one of the largest combined aerial assaults of the war against Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities.

Battlespaces

Further information: Northern front, Eastern front, and Southern front

Command

Further information: Russo-Ukrainian war (2022–present) order of battle

Russia

As head-of-state, Vladimir Putin is the top leader of Russia's armed forces. Putin has sometimes made decisions directly to commanders, skipping senior leaders. In the early part of the war, Russian forces had trouble working together because the leadership was split among four military areas.

According to US officials, the commander of the Russian Southern Military District, Aleksandr Dvornikov, was put in charge on 8 April 2022. Analysts said that Dvornikov was later replaced by Gennady Zhidko in late May 2022, and US officials also said that he had "disappeared".

In October 2022 the Russian ministry of defence said that Sergei Surovikin had been put in charge of Russia's forces in Ukraine. He was replaced in January 2023 by Valery Gerasimov. The Russian ministry of defence said that Surovikin's replacement was needed because a more senior officer was needed for more important tasks. Gerasimov stayed in charge even when he reached the normal retirement age in September 2025. Australian analyst Mick Ryan said that Russian forces improved because the leadership was unified.

During the early months of the war, Russia lost many officers, including some generals.

Ukraine

General Valerii Zaluzhnyi was the top leader of Ukraine's armed forces from before the war started in February 2022. US general Mark Milley said in May 2022 that Zaluzhnyi was the leader his country needed. He helped the Ukrainian forces work together and make quick changes in battle. After reported disagreements between Zaluzhnyi and Volodomir Zelensky, Zaluzhnyi was replaced by Oleksandr Syrskyi in February 2024. Mykhailo Podolyak said that Zaluzhnyi's replacement was needed to change tactics and avoid problems after Ukraine's counteroffensive in 2023.

Missile attacks and aerial warfare

Main article: Aerial warfare in the Russian invasion of Ukraine

Air battles began on the first day of the invasion. Many missile attacks happened across both eastern and western Ukraine, as far west as Lviv.

By September 2022, Ukrainian air forces had shot down about 55 Russian warplanes. In mid-October, Russian forces launched missile strikes against Ukrainian infrastructure, trying to damage energy buildings. By late November, hundreds of civilians had been hurt, and rolling blackouts had left millions without power.

In December 2022, drones from Ukraine allegedly attacked Dyagilevo and Engels air bases in western Russia, killing 10 and heavily damaging two Tu-95 aircraft.

On 1 June 2025, Ukraine carried out "Operation Spiderweb", targeting several air bases deep inside Russian land using hidden drones. Ukraine said it damaged or destroyed 41 important aircraft, including bombers used to attack Ukrainian cities. US officials said that Ukraine hit 20 planes, destroying 10. The operation is thought to have caused billions of dollars in damage to Russian aircraft.

Crimea attacks

Main article: Crimea attacks

On 31 July 2022, Russian Navy Day celebrations were cancelled after a drone attack hurt several people at the Russian Black Sea Fleet headquarters in Sevastopol. On 9 August 2022, big explosions were reported at Saky Air Base in western Crimea. Satellite pictures showed at least eight aircraft damaged or destroyed. Ukrainian general Valerii Zaluzhnyi said responsibility on 7 September.

A week later Russia blamed "sabotage" for explosions and a fire at an arms store near Dzhankoi in northeastern Crimea that also damaged a railway and power station. Russian regional head Sergei Aksyonov said that 2,000 people were moved from the area. On 18 August, explosions were reported at Belbek Air Base north of Sevastopol. On 8 October 2022 the Kerch Bridge, linking occupied Crimea to Russia, partially collapsed due to an explosion. On 17 July 2023, there was another big explosion on the bridge. On 3 June 2025, an attack with underwater explosives damaged the bridge's supports; traffic resumed within hours.

Russian attacks against Ukrainian civilian infrastructure

Main article: Russian strikes against Ukrainian infrastructure

Further information: Russian attacks on civilians in the Russo-Ukrainian war (2022–present)

Since 2022, Russia has attacked Ukrainian electricity and water systems. On 6 October 2022 the Ukrainian military said that 86 Shahed 136 kamikaze drones had been sent by Russian forces, and between 30 September and 6 October Ukrainian forces had destroyed 24 out of 46 sent. On 8 October, it was said that General of the Army Sergey Surovikin would be leading all Russian forces because of his new air attack method. On 16 October, The Washington Post said that Iran was planning to send Russia drones and missiles. On 18 October the US State Department said Iran was breaking Resolution 2231 by selling Shahed 131 and Shahed 136 drones to Russia, agreeing with France and the UK. Iran said it did not send weapons for the Ukraine war. On 22 October France, Britain and Germany asked for a UN investigation. On 1 November, CNN said that Iran was getting ready to send ballistic missiles and other weapons to Russia for use in Ukraine.

On 15 November 2022, Russia fired 85 missiles at the Ukrainian power grid, causing power cuts in Kyiv and nearby areas. In March 2023, The New York Times said that Russia had used new fast missiles in a big missile attack on Ukraine. These missiles are better at avoiding Ukrainian defenses.

The UK Defence Ministry said strikes against Ukrainian infrastructure are part of Russia's 'Strategic Operation for the Destruction of Critically Important Targets' (SODCIT) military plan, meant to make people lose hope and force the Ukrainian leaders to give up. The Royal United Services Institute said that half of Ukraine's electricity making ability had been destroyed.

On 8 July 2024, Russia used a Kh-101 missile to kill two and hurt 16 at the Okhmatdyt Children's Hospital in Kyiv. At least 20 civilians were killed in Kyiv that night.

Later in 2024, Russia changed from attacking energy lines to attacking power stations, affecting 15% of Ukraine's electricity making before the war. From summer 2025, attacks went back to energy lines with many more drones and ballistic missiles. Attacks were also made on Ukrainian gas making, with 60% of its ability destroyed in October 2025.

Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil production

In 2025, Ukraine stepped up efforts to stop Russian oil making and sending, using drone and missile attacks with help from Western intelligence. By late October 2025, about 50% of Russia's 38 big oil cleaning places had been hit more than once. This is thought to have lowered oil making by 10 to 15%, causing higher fuel prices and shortages in some places.

Naval blockade and engagements

Main article: Naval warfare in the Russo-Ukrainian war (2022–present)

On 28 February 2022, Turkey used the 1936 Montreux Convention and closed the Bosphorus and Dardanelles waters to Russian warships not registered to Black Sea home bases and returning to their home ports. It specifically stopped four Russian navy ships. On 24 February, the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine said that Russian Navy ships had started an attack on Snake Island. The guided missile cruiser and flagship of the Black Sea Fleet, Moskva and patrol boat Vasily Bykov bombed the island. The Russian warship told the Ukrainians on the island to give up. Their answer was "Russian warship, go away!" After the bombing, Russian soldiers landed and took control of Snake Island. Russia said on 26 February that US drones had helped the Ukrainian navy target Russian warships in the Black Sea. The US said this was not true.

By 3 March, Ukrainian forces in Mykolaiv scuttled the frigate Hetman Sahaidachny, the flagship of the Ukrainian navy, to stop it from being captured. On 24 March, Ukrainian officials said that a Russian landing ship docked in Berdiansk was destroyed by a Ukrainian rocket attack. In March 2022, the UN International Maritime Organization (IMO) tried to make a safe sea path for business ships to leave Ukrainian ports. On 27 March, Russia made a sea path 80 miles (130 km) long and 3 miles (4.8 km) wide through its Maritime Exclusion Zone, for business ships to travel from the edge of Ukrainian waters southeast of Odesa.

The Moskva was, according to Ukrainian sources and a US senior official, hit on 13 April by two Ukrainian Neptune anti-ship cruise missiles. The Russian Defence Ministry said the warship had serious damage from a bomb explosion caused by a fire, and that its crew had been taken off. Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said on 14 April that satellite pictures showed that the Russian warship had a big explosion but was going east for expected repairs in Sevastopol. Later that day, the Russian Ministry of Defence said that the Moskva had sunk. On 15 April, Reuters said that Russia launched a missile strike against the missile factory Luch Design Bureau in Kyiv where the Neptune missiles used in the Moskva attack were made. On 5 May, a US official said that the US gave "a range of information" to help sink it.

On 1 June, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Ukraine's policy of putting mines in its own ports to stop Russian sea attacks had helped cause the food export problem, saying: "If Kyiv solves the problem of clearing ports of mines, the Russian Navy will make sure ships with grain can pass to the Mediterranean Sea." On 23 July, CNBC reported a Russian missile strike on the Ukrainian port of Odesa, quickly criticized by world leaders after a recent UN- and Turkish-brokered deal to protect a sea path for food exports.

On 26 December 2023, Ukraine's air force attacked the Russian landing ship Novocherkassk docked in Feodosia. Ukraine said it was destroyed, a claim that independent experts confirmed. Russian authorities said that two attacking aircraft were destroyed. On 31 January 2024, Ukrainian sea drones struck the Russian Tarantul-class corvette Ivanovets in the Black Sea, causing the ship to sink. On 14 February, the same type of Ukrainian sea drones struck and sank the Russian landing ship Tsezar Kunikov.

Ukrainian resistance

Main article: Ukrainian resistance in Russian-occupied Ukraine

Ukrainian civilians fought against the Russian invasion by joining volunteer defense groups, making Molotov cocktails, giving food, building barriers like Czech hedgehogs, and helping move refugees. After a call from Ukravtodor, Ukraine's transportation group, civilians took down or changed road signs, built quick barriers, and blocked roads. Social media posts showed spontaneous street protests against Russian forces in areas taken over, often leading to talks and face-to-face meetings with Russian soldiers.

People blocked Russian military vehicles, sometimes making them go back. The Russian soldiers' reactions to unarmed civilian protests changed from not wanting to fight the protesters, to shooting into crowds. To help Ukrainian attacks, civilians told about Russian military positions using a Telegram chatbot and Diia, a Ukrainian government app. In response, Russian forces started destroying mobile phone networks, searching houses for phones and computers, and in at least one case killed a civilian who had pictures of Russian tanks.

Energy infrastructure

During the war Russia and Ukraine have attacked each other's energy buildings. Ukrainian power making and heating buildings and Russia's pipelines and oil cleaning places were hit.

As a reaction to Russia's recognition of the taken Ukrainian areas in Donetsk and Luhansk, Germany stopped its approval of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline on 22 February 2022. In September 2022 the unused Nord Stream pipeline between Russia and Germany was sabotaged, destroying three of the four pipelines. As of August 2025^[update] no one has said they did it or admitted to it and investigations are still going on. A Ukrainian national was arrested in August 2025 on suspicion of being involved. As part of the economic sanctions against Russia for its war the EU Commission has stopped the use of the Nord Stream pipelines.

Pipelines carrying natural gas and oil from Russia to Central Europe kept working during the war but in a smaller way. They have been attacked several times; in May 2025 both sides said the other attacked gas buildings in Russia's Kursk Oblast. In August 2025 Ukraine attacked oil pumping stations of Russia's Druzhba pipeline, stopping oil going to Hungary and Slovakia, while the same month a Russian attack on Ukrainian energy buildings left more than 100,000 homes without electricity.

By 28 August 2025, Ukraine's attacks on Russia's oil cleaning had hit ten oil cleaning places and was said by Reuters to have stopped Russia's cleaning ability by at least 17% or 1.1 million barrels a day. This caused a fuel problem in Crimea and both southern and far eastern parts with higher prices and empty gas stations. In September 2025 the International Energy Agency said that Russia's money from oil product exports had in August gone down to five-year lows, helping Russia's economy slow down. Saying Russia's energy system was weak, President Vladimir Putin talked about Russia's coal supplies to make up for its gas shortage, poor buildings and slow economy.

After its 14 September 2025 attack on Russia's second biggest oil cleaning place Kinef, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces said they were "working 'systematically' to weaken Russia's military and economy with a special focus on fuel, weapons, and bullet making".

Foreign involvement

Main article: Foreign involvement in the Russo-Ukrainian war (2022–present)

Support for Ukraine

Main article: Military aid to Ukraine during the Russo-Ukrainian war

Further information: List of military aid to Ukraine during the Russo-Ukrainian war, International sanctions during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and International Legion (Ukraine)

Many countries have helped Ukraine with weapons, equipment, training, and support. Some countries also put limits on Russia’s actions to weaken its economy. These limits targeted important parts like money, banks, businesses, and trade.

Help for Ukraine has been organized by a group of more than fifty countries, including all members of NATO. From January 2022 to January 2024, about $380 billion in aid was given to Ukraine. Europe gave the most help overall. The US has provided a lot of this aid, with $175 billion set aside to support Ukraine. Most US help was older weapons and equipment. Bulgaria also gave a lot of ammunition and fuel early in the war. Most supporters did not send soldiers to fight.

Although India has maintained a neutral stance on the invasion, reports say that artillery shells made in India were sold to European countries and then used to help Ukraine. Indian officials have not gotten involved even though Russia has objected.

Russia has threatened to punish countries that help Ukraine, saying NATO is fighting a proxy war against Russia. But Russia has not carried out these threats, even when many of its “red lines” were crossed. President Putin said that if military aid stopped, Ukraine would not last long.

Since Russia’s invasion began, the US has shared information with Ukraine to help target attacks. In March 2025, the US paused this sharing but started again a few days later. In October 2025, reports said the US would give information to help Ukraine attack Russian energy targets far inside Russia. In November 2025, Reuters reported that the US threatened to stop sharing information to push Ukraine to agree to peace talks.

By January 2026, France was giving a lot of military information, as other countries continued to support Ukraine.

In April 2026, reports said Ukrainian pilots trained in the UK were learning to operate in areas with no GPS because of Russia’s electronic attacks.

Support for Russia

Main article: Support for Russia in the Russian invasion of Ukraine

Belarus

Belarus let Russia use its land to start part of the invasion and launch missiles into Ukraine. Belarus also shared weapons and ammunition with Russia. Some say Belarus is fighting with Russia, while others say it is not directly fighting.

Iran

In June 2023, US information suggested Iran gave Russia combat drones and materials to make more drones. In February 2024, a report said Iran sent ballistic missiles to Russia. According to the US and Ukraine, Iranian troops have been in Crimea to help Russia attack civilians and buildings. Iran has denied sending arms to Russia for use against Ukraine.

North Korea

North Korea has given Russia ballistic missiles and launchers. In October 2024, Ukraine and South Korea said North Korean engineers were on the battlefield to help launch these missiles. In October 2024, Ukraine said about 10,000 North Korean soldiers were getting ready to join Russian forces. North Korea said none of their soldiers were fighting for Russia.

US officials said North Korea sent 3,000 soldiers to Russia for possible use in Ukraine. On 28 October, NATO said North Korean troops had been sent to Kursk Oblast to support Russia. On 7 November, Ukraine said North Korean troops had fought in Kursk oblast, and this was confirmed by US and South Korean officials.

In January 2025, two North Korean soldiers were captured while fighting in Kursk Oblast. In March 2025, South Korea said North Korea sent more soldiers and weapons to Russia. In June 2025, Russia said it would send North Korean workers to help clear mines and rebuild.

Others and sanction evasions

Reports in 2023 said a Chinese company sent weapons parts to Russia, with some going through third countries. In May 2023, the European Union said Chinese and UAE firms were giving weapon parts to Russia. In April 2024, China was reported to have given Russia information, tools for tanks, and materials for missiles. In September 2024, documents showed Russia was setting up a weapons program in China to make long-range attack drones.

Russia buys important electronics, machinery, car parts, and defense equipment from India. Trade, like oil sales, has grown since 2022. Russia pays in rupees to avoid sanctions. In July 2025, reports said an Indian company sent military explosives to Russia in December 2024.

Russia continues to earn money from selling fossil fuels to the West. In 2025, Slovakia and Hungary did not agree to stop getting Russian gas via Turkey by 2028. Refineries in Turkey and India process Russian oil and sell the fuel back to countries that have sanctions. Russia also works with India and the UAE to avoid sanctions.

From 2022 to mid-2025, the United States imported $24.51 billion of Russian goods, mainly fertilisers, enriched uranium, plutonium, and palladium.

Casualties

Further information: Casualties of the Russo-Ukrainian war § Russo-Ukrainian war (2022–present), and List of deaths during the Russo-Ukrainian war (2022–present)

Both Russia and Ukraine have reported losing many soldiers in the fighting. Exact numbers are hard to find, but both sides admit they have suffered big losses.

Many Ukrainian civilians have sadly lost their lives too. In some places, like Mariupol, thousands of people were hurt or died during the fighting. The United Nations believes the numbers of civilian deaths are even higher than what has been confirmed.

War crimes and attacks on civilians

Main articles: War crimes in the Russo-Ukrainian war (2022–present) and Russian attacks on civilians in the Russo-Ukrainian war (2022–present)

Russian forces have attacked places where people live and work, including hospitals and energy buildings. They have also hurt and taken people away from their homes. There have been many fights in places where lots of people live, which has made life very hard for families there.

The United Nations has said that Russian forces have been hurting people in Ukraine on purpose. They have used special flying machines to attack towns and villages, trying to make people leave their homes. These actions are very wrong and break the rules that countries are supposed to follow during wars.

The United Nations has also found that people in parts of Ukraine that are now under Russian control are not being treated fairly. They have been forced to follow Russian ways and learn the Russian language. Many people have been taken away from their homes and made to live in Russia, which is also against the rules.

Russian forces have sometimes used special gases to hurt soldiers in Ukraine.

In 2025, the year was very hard for people in Ukraine, with many more being hurt or losing their homes because of the fighting.

Prisoners of war

Main article: Prisoners of war in the Russo-Ukrainian war (2022–present)

When soldiers from Ukraine were caught, some reports say they were kept in very bad conditions, without enough food, water, or clean places to live. Some say they were hurt or treated very badly.

Abduction of Ukrainian children

Main article: Child abductions in the Russo-Ukrainian war

Some children from Ukraine have been taken away from their homes and families and sent to live in Russia. They have been given new names and made to act like they are Russian. This is very wrong and breaks important rules about how people should be treated during wars.

International arrest warrants

Main article: International Criminal Court arrest warrants for Russian leaders

The International Criminal Court, which looks at very serious crimes, has said that some leaders from Russia may have done very bad things. They have asked for them to be brought to justice for what they have done. Many countries have agreed that these actions are wrong and should be punished.

Impacts

Humanitarian impact

Main article: Humanitarian impacts of the Russo-Ukrainian war (2022–present)

The war caused big problems for people and the environment in Ukraine. Many people had to leave their homes, and some areas faced serious damage. Attacks on important places like hospitals and cultural sites happened often.

Cultural heritage

Main article: Ukrainian culture during the Russian invasion of Ukraine

Many important buildings and places in Ukraine were damaged during the war. This included museums, churches, and libraries. A film about the siege of Mariupol even won an award for being very good.

Refugee crisis

Main article: Ukrainian refugee crisis

The war caused many people to flee Ukraine, making it one of the biggest refugee situations in Europe since World War II. Millions of people left the country, with many going to nearby nations. Most of those who left were women, children, and older people. Men of certain ages were needed to stay and help protect the country.

Environmental impact

Main article: Environmental impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine

The war hurt Ukraine’s land and water a lot. Pollution from explosions and damaged buildings made many places unsafe. Forests were damaged, and there were worries about serious environmental problems. The damage to land and water has made it hard to grow food and live normally in some areas.

Nuclear risk

Main article: Nuclear risk during the Russo-Ukrainian war (2022–present)

During the war, there were worries about nuclear safety, especially at big power plants that were captured or damaged. This made people very concerned about safety.

Economic impact

Main article: Economic impact of the Russo-Ukrainian war (2022–present)

Ukraine

Ukrainian Minister of Economic Development and Trade Yulia Svyrydenko announced that for 2022 Ukraine had a 30% loss in their gross domestic product (GDP). The International Monetary Fund predicted that Ukraine's GDP would decrease between 10% to 35%; the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development predicted a 20% decrease. The Ukrainian statistics service said that the GDP of Ukraine in 2023 grew by 5.3%. By 2026 the total cost of rebuilding Ukraine after the war was estimated by the World Bank at US$588 billion.

Ukraine began issuing war bonds on 1 March 2022, and the following day the Ukrainian government announced that they had raised 6.14 billion hryvnias. In May 2022 the European Commission banned grain sales in Bulgaria, Poland, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia, with the only exception being if they were transiting through those countries; the ban was lifted in September 2023.

The war has caused a major humanitarian crisis in Ukraine: the United Nations Development Programme calculated in March 2022 that a prolonged conflict would cause 30% of the Ukrainian population to fall below the poverty line, while a further 62% would be at risk of falling into poverty within a year.

Ukraine is home to substantial mineral, fossil-fuel, and agricultural resources, the capture of which analysts believe was a potential motivation for the launching of the war by Russia. Joint exploitation of Ukrainian mineral resources was subsequently the subject of the Ukraine–United States Mineral Resources Agreement.

Russia

The US government estimates that Russia's economic losses from the war and Western sanctions will amount to around $1.3 trillion by 2025, and Russia's direct financial spending on the invasion is estimated at $250 billion (as of late 2024) – costs that Russia could not have foreseen. Other estimates put the direct cost of the war to Russia at over US$450 billion.

The Russian Ministry of Economic Development said that for 2022 the GDP contracted by 2.1% and for 2023 Russia's government said the GDP grew by 3.6%. In April 2024, it was reported that Russia was planning tax increases to help finance the war. In January 2025, it was reported that, since early 2022, Russia had used a two-prong strategy to finance the war. In addition to the official Russian government defence budget—direct financial expenditure for the war was estimated at US$250 billion through June 2024 for military spending through normal channels, with the military budget rising to over 20% of annual GDP—an additional off-budget financing mechanism was employed with over US$200 billion of debt funding obtained from preferential bank loans to defence contractors and war-related businesses, compelled by the Russian government.

A report published in April 2025 by the Stockholm Institute of Transition Economics noted that official Russian statistics are unreliable. The report argued that Russian fiscal stimulus has kept the economy afloat so far, but that it is on an unsustainable trajectory. In August 2025, VEB, one of the largest Russian state banks, assessed that the Russian economy had started slipping into recession. In April 2026, Putin said Russia's GDP shrank by combined 1.8% in January and February; according to Fortune, Russian officials also warned Putin earlier in the year about a financial crisis being possible due to "spiraling" inflation.

A price cap was placed on Russian oil by the G7 in December 2022. The US banned all imports of Russian oil in March 2022. The EU placed an embargo on oil products from Russia in February 2023. Other countries that embargoed Russian oil included Five Eyes partners Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.

Peace efforts

Main article: Peace negotiations in the Russo-Ukrainian war (2022–present)

In early 2022, leaders from Russia and Ukraine met to discuss ending the fighting. These meetings happened in different places, but no agreement was reached.

Later, in 2024, Ukraine asked that Russia take its soldiers out of the country, free captured people, and face consequences for harmful actions. Russia wanted to keep the areas it controlled, stop Ukraine from joining certain groups, and have restrictions removed. Some leaders thought this would encourage more unfair actions by powerful countries.

When Donald Trump became leader of the United States in 2025, the country’s approach changed. The United States talked separately with Russia and Ukraine. In 2025, the United States supported plans that favored Russia, following ideas mostly created by a Russian official.

International reactions

Main article: Reactions to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine

Many countries and groups around the world spoke out against the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. In votes at the United Nations, most countries said Russia should stop fighting and leave Ukraine. Some countries put strict rules on Russia, called sanctions, which made it harder for Russia to do business with others. These sanctions changed how Russia sold its oil and coal.

More than 70 countries and the European Union sent help to Ukraine, including supplies and military support. Many people around the world held protests and shared messages on social media asking people to stop buying things from Russia. Some people even used computers to break into Russian websites.

Not everyone felt the same way. Some countries, especially in parts of the world far from Europe, showed support for Russia because they did not trust other countries' actions.

The invasion caused some big changes. Ukraine, Finland, and Sweden decided to join a group of countries called NATO for protection. Finland joined in 2023, and Sweden joined in 2024.