2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.#

is an ongoing war between Russia (together with pro-Russian separatist forces) and Ukraine.[f] It began in February 2014 following the Ukrainian Revolution of Dignity, and initially focused on the status of Crimea and parts of the Donbas, internationally recognised as part of Ukraine. The first eight years of the conflict included the Russian annexation of Crimea (2014) and the war in Donbas (2014–present) between Ukraine and Russian-backed separatists, as well as naval incidents, cyberwarfare, and political tensions. Following a Russian military build-up on the Russia–Ukraine border from late 2021, the conflict expanded significantly when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022.

Russo-Ukrainian War
2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.svg
The military situation as of 23 April 2022, during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
Controlled by Ukraine
Occupied by Russia and pro-Russian forces

For a more detailed map, see the Russo-Ukrainian War detailed map
Date 20 February 2014[c] – present
(8 years, 2 months and 5 days)
Russian invasion of Ukraine: 24 February 2022 – present
Location
Ukraine (with spillover into Russia)
Status Ongoing Territorial
changes
Changes prior to 2022 invasion:

Annexation of Crimea by Russia
Occupation of the Kherson Oblast portion of Crimean peninsula (Strilkove) from March to December 2014
Pro-Russian forces control the eastern Donbas

Belligerents
Ukraine
Supported by
NATO[a][1]

For countries supporting Ukraine during the 2022 invasion, see 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
Russia Russia
Donetsk People's Republic Donetsk PR
Luhansk People's Republic Luhansk PR
Supported by
Belarus (2022)[b]
Commanders and leaders
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
(2019–present)
Petro Poroshenko
(2014–2019)
Oleksandr Turchynov
(Acting; 2014)
Vladimir Putin
(2014–present)
Sergei Shoigu
(February 24, 2014–present)
Strength
For details of strengths and units involved at key points in the war, see:* Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation* Combatants of the war in Donbas* Order of battle for the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
Casualties and losses
Ukraine Ukraine and allies
4,619 killed[8][9]
9,700–10,700 wounded[10]
70 missing[11]
2,768 captured[12][13][14]
9,268 joined Russian forces after annexation[15]
300+ T-64 tanks[16]
Russia Russia and allies
5,768 killed[10][17][d]
12,700–13,700 wounded[10]
Civilian casualties:
3,393 killed[19]
7,000–9,000 wounded[10]

See 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine for casualties resulting from the 2022 invasion.
Following the Euromaidan protests and a revolution resulting in the removal of pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych in February 2014, pro-Russian unrest erupted in parts of Ukraine. Russian soldiers without insignia took control of strategic positions and infrastructure in the Ukrainian territory of Crimea, and seized the Crimean Parliament. Russia organized a widely criticised referendum, whose outcome was for Crimea to join Russia. It then annexed Crimea. In April 2014, demonstrations by pro-Russian groups in the Donbas region of Ukraine escalated into a war between the Ukrainian military and Russian-backed separatists of the self-declared Donetsk and Luhansk republics.

In August 2014, unmarked Russian military vehicles crossed the border[21] into the Donetsk republic. An undeclared war began between Ukrainian forces on one side, and separatists intermingled with Russian troops on the other, although Russia attempted to hide its involvement. The war settled into a static conflict, with repeated failed attempts at a ceasefire. In 2015, the Minsk II agreements were signed by Russia and Ukraine, but a number of disputes prevented them being fully implemented. By 2019, 7% of Ukraine was classified by the Ukrainian government as temporarily occupied territories, while the Russian government had indirectly acknowledged the presence of its troops in Ukraine.[citation needed]

In 2021 and early 2022, there was a major Russian military build-up around Ukraine's borders. NATO accused Russia of planning an invasion, which it denied. Russian President Vladimir Putin criticized the enlargement of NATO as a threat to his country and demanded Ukraine be barred from ever joining the military alliance. He also expressed Russian irredentist views, questioned Ukraine's right to exist, and stated wrongfully that Ukraine was created by Soviet Russia. On 21 February 2022, Russia officially recognised the two self-proclaimed separatist states in the Donbas, and openly sent troops into the territories. Three days later, Russia invaded Ukraine. Much of the international community has condemned Russia for its actions in post-revolutionary Ukraine, accusing it of breaking international law and violating Ukrainian sovereignty. Many countries implemented economic sanctions against Russia, Russian individuals, or companies,[22] especially after the 2022 invasion.