Russia's Full-Scale Invasion of Ukraine

Setting the scene

By 2022, Russia had occupied Crimea since 2014 and supported separatists in eastern Ukraine's Donbas region. President Vladimir Putin had published essays claiming Ukraine was not a real nation and was part of Russia's historical sphere. In late 2021, Russia massed 190,000 troops on Ukraine's borders, claiming they were exercises. The U.S. and allies warned of invasion, sharing intelligence publicly—a novel strategy. Putin demanded NATO roll back to 1997 borders and guarantee Ukraine would never join, demands the West rejected.

What happened

On February 24, 2022, at 5:00 a.m. Kyiv time, Putin announced a 'special military operation' and Russia launched a full-scale invasion from north, east, and south. Missiles struck Kyiv, Kharkiv, and other cities. Russian forces attempted to seize Kyiv quickly via Hostomel Airport, but Ukrainian resistance was fierce. The invasion was the largest war in Europe since WWII. Western nations imposed unprecedented sanctions, and the U.S. and allies began supplying weapons to Ukraine. Russia's initial offensive stalled due to logistical failures, poor planning, and Ukrainian resistance.

Why it still matters

The invasion has killed hundreds of thousands and displaced millions, becoming a war of attrition. It united NATO, led to Finland and Sweden joining the alliance, and reshaped European security. The war demonstrated the effectiveness of Western weapons (HIMARS, Javelins) and the importance of information warfare—Ukraine's President Zelenskyy's communication skills rallied global support. The invasion also caused global food and energy crises. It marked the end of the post-Cold War order and a return to great power competition. The war continues as of 2024, with no end in sight, and has become a defining conflict of the 21st century.

Background

The war triggered a major humanitarian and geopolitical crisis.