View source for Russo-Ukrainian war (2022–present)

{{Short description|Phase since 2022 of war ongoing since 2014}}
{{Redirect|Russian invasion of Ukraine|the initial full-scale invasion in 2022|2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine|other invasions|List of invasions and occupations of Ukraine|other wars between Russia and Ukraine|List of wars between Russia and Ukraine}}
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{{Use British English|date=February 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2026}}
<section begin=infobox/>{{#invoke:Infobox military conflict|main
| conflict          = Russo-Ukrainian war (2022–present)
| partof            = the [[Russo-Ukrainian war]]
| image             = 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.svg
| caption           = <span class="nowrap">Map of Ukraine {{As of|2026|April|24|lc=y}} ([[Template:Russo-Ukrainian War detailed map|details]])</span>:
{{Center block|{{Leftlegend|#FDE182|Continuously controlled by Ukraine}}{{Leftlegend|#EBC0B3|[[Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine|Currently occupied or controlled by Russia]]}}{{Leftlegend|#ABD4DD|[[Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine#Formerly occupied territories|Formerly occupied by Russia]]}}}}
| image_size        = 300px
| alt               =
| date              = [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine|24 February 2022]] – present<br/>({{Age in years, months, weeks and days|day1=24|month1=2|year1=2022|day2=|month2=|year2=|duration=no}})
| place             = Ukraine, [[Attacks in Russia during the Russo-Ukrainian war (2022–present)|Russia]], [[Naval warfare in the Russo-Ukrainian war (2022–present)|Black Sea]]
| coordinates       = <!--Use the {{coord}} template-->
| map_type          =t
| map_relief        =
| map_size          =
| map_marksize      =
| map_caption       =
| map_label         =
| result            =
| status            = [[List of ongoing armed conflicts|Ongoing]] ([[List of military engagements during the Russo-Ukrainian war (2022–present)|list of engagements]] '''·''' [[Territorial control during the Russo-Ukrainian War|territorial control]] '''·''' [[Timeline of the Russo-Ukrainian war (2022–present)|timeline of events]])
| combatants_header =
| combatant1        = {{Tree list}}
*{{#invoke:flag||Russia}}
<!-- Use of the "Support" subheading has been broadly deprecated. The parties included below were determined after consensus was reached, ending months-long discussions. Please secure a new consensus on the article talk page prior to adding or removing any party. -->
*{{#invoke:flag||Belarus}}{{efn|Belarus's logistical support for Russian forces, particularly allowing Russian forces to launch offensive operations against Ukraine from Belarusian territory in 2022, has been characterised as belligerency on the part of Belarus in this conflict by numerous analysts, including those published by the [[Institute for the Study of War|ISW]],<ref>{{cite web |title=RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN ASSESSMENT, DECEMBER 11 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-11 |website=[[Institute for the Study of War]] |date=11 December 2022}}</ref> the [[International Institute for Strategic Studies|IISS]],<ref>{{cite book |title=Armed Conflict Survey 2023 |date=6 December 2023 |publisher=Taylor & Francis, The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) |isbn=978-1-040-01544-5 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ueznEAAAQBAJ&dq=%22Belarus+remains+a+co-belligerent+but+not+a+co-combatant%22&pg=RA3-PT42}}</ref> and [[Centre for Eastern Studies|OSW]].<ref name="z625">{{cite web | title=The reluctant co-aggressor. Minsk's complicity in the war against Ukraine | website=OSW Centre for Eastern Studies | date=10 February 2023 | url=https://www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacje/osw-commentary/2023-02-10/reluctant-co-aggressor-minsks-complicity-war-against-ukraine | access-date=30 September 2025}}</ref> {{Crossreference|See also: [[Belarusian involvement in the Russo-Ukrainian war (2022–present)]]}}}}
*{{#invoke:flag||North Korea}}{{efn|{{Crossreference|See: [[North Korean involvement in the Russo-Ukrainian war (2022–present)]]}}}}
{{Tree list/end}}
| combatant2        = {{#invoke:flag||Ukraine}}<!--Use of a 'supported by' or equivalent sub-heading has been broadly deprecated. Secure a consensus on the article talk page prior to adding or removing such a sub-heading here.-->
| commander1        = {{plainlist}}<!--Please discuss on talk page before altering-->
*{{#invoke:flag|deco|Russia}} [[Vladimir Putin]]
*{{#invoke:flag|deco|Russia}} [[Valery Gerasimov]]
*{{#invoke:flag|deco|Russia}} [[Sergei Shoigu]] 
*{{#invoke:flag|deco|Russia}} [[Andrey Belousov]]
{{endplainlist}}
| commander2        = {{plainlist}}<!--Please discuss on talk page before altering-->
*{{#invoke:flag|deco|Ukraine}} [[Volodymyr Zelenskyy]]
*{{#invoke:flag|deco|Ukraine}} [[Mykhailo Drapatyi]]
*{{#invoke:flag|deco|Ukraine}} [[Oleksandr Syrskyi]]
*{{#invoke:flag|deco|Ukraine}} [[Valerii Zaluzhnyi]]
{{endplainlist}}
| units1            = [[Russo-Ukrainian war (2022–present) order of battle#Russian forces|Order of battle]]
| units2            = [[Russo-Ukrainian war (2022–present) order of battle#Ukrainian forces|Order of battle]]
| strength1         = '''Pre-invasion at border''':<br/>169,000–190,000{{efn|Including military, paramilitary, and 34,000 separatist militias.}}<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|title=75 тысяч погибших российских солдат 120 смертей в день – вот цена, которую платит Россия за нападение на соседнюю страну. Новое большое исследование "Медузы" и "Медиазоны" о потерях |url=https://meduza.io/feature/2024/02/24/75-tysyach-pogibshih-rossiyskih-soldat |access-date=24 February 2024 |website=Meduza |language=ru |quote=... численность войск на фронте (если при вторжении ее оценивали в 190 тысяч вместе с «народными милициями ДНР и ЛНР», ...}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Bengali |first=Shashank |date=18 February 2022 |title=The U.S. says Russia's troop buildup could be as high as 190,000 in and near Ukraine. |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/02/18/world/ukraine-russia-news |access-date=18 February 2022 |url-access=limited |archive-date=18 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218063637/https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/02/18/world/ukraine-russia-news |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="The Military Balance2021">{{#invoke:cite|book|editor1-last=Hackett |editor1-first=James |title=The Military Balance 2021 |date=February 2021 |url={{GBurl|Re4fEAAAQBAJ|}} |publisher=[[International Institute for Strategic Studies]] |location=Abingdon, Oxfordshire |edition=1st |isbn=978-1-03-201227-8 |ol=OL32226712M |oclc=1292198893 |page=68 }}</ref><br/>'''Pre-invasion total''':<br/>900,000 military<ref name="The Military Balance2022_p901">{{#invoke:cite|book|title=The Military Balance 2022 |date=February 2022 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vOFeEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA901 |publisher=[[International Institute for Strategic Studies]] |isbn=978-1-000-62003-0 |via=[[Google Books]]}}</ref><br/>554,000 paramilitary<ref name="The Military Balance2022_p901"/><br/>'''In February 2023''':<br/>300,000+ active personnel in Ukraine<ref name="ISW May 30">{{#invoke:cite|web|title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, May 30, 2023 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-may-30-2023 |website=[[Institute for the Study of War]] |date=31 May 2023 |access-date=31 May 2023}}</ref><br/>'''In June 2024''':<br/>700,000 active personnel in the area<ref name="ISW 14 June 2024">{{#invoke:cite|web|title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, June 14, 2024 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-june-14-2024 |website=[[Institute for the Study of War]] |access-date=17 August 2023}}</ref>
| strength2         = '''Pre-invasion total''':<br/>196,600 military<ref name="The Military Balance2022_p945">{{#invoke:cite|book|title=The Military Balance 2022 |date=February 2022 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vOFeEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA945 |publisher=[[International Institute for Strategic Studies]] |isbn=978-1-000-62003-0 |via=[[Google Books]]}}</ref><br/>102,000 paramilitary<ref name="The Military Balance2022_p945"/><br/>'''July 2022 total''':<br/>up to 700,000<ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20260115201415/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/ukraine/#military-and-security Ukraine]", The World Factbook, Central Intelligence Agency, 2023-01-18, retrieved 19 January 2023</ref><br/>'''September 2023 total''':<br/>over 800,000<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=17 November 2023 |title=Swimming rivers and faking illness to escape Ukraine's draft |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-67120904 |access-date=17 November 2023}}</ref>
| strength3         =
| casualties3       = Reports vary widely, see [[#Casualties|§ Casualties]] for details
| below             =
}}
{{Campaignbox Russo-Ukrainian war (2022–present)}}
{{Campaignbox Russo-Ukrainian war}} 
{{Campaignbox Conflicts in territory of the former Soviet Union}}
<section end="infobox"/>
<!-- Do NOT add bold text to the lead, per [[WP:AVOIDBOLD]]. Do NOT remove the links to Russia and Ukraine. Per [[MOS:OL]], countries should GENERALLY not be linked, but as they are the focal point of the article, they should be per [[MOS:CONTEXTLINK]]. -->
On 24 February 2022, {{not a typo|[[Russia]] invaded [[Ukraine]]}},<!-- Do NOT remove the two links of this clause; read the message above. --> starting the largest and deadliest war in Europe since [[World War II]], in a major escalation of the [[Russo-Ukrainian war|existing war between the two countries]] that began when Russia attacked Ukraine [[Russo-Ukrainian war#History|in 2014]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|book|last1=McFaul |first1=Michael |last2=Person |first2=Robert |editor1-last=Brands |editor1-first=Hal |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0n72EAAAQBAJ&dq=On+February+24,+2022,+Russian+president+Vladimir+Putin+launched+a+full-+scale+invasion+of+Ukraine,+expanding+dramatically+the+war+against+Ukraine+he+be+gan+in+2014+and+starting+the+largest+war+in+Europe+since+World+War+II.&pg=PA34 |title=War in Ukraine: Conflict, Strategy, and the Return of a Fractured World |date=2 April 2024 |publisher=[[Johns Hopkins University Press]] |isbn=978-1-4214-4985-2 |page=34 |language=en |quote=On February 24, 2022, Russian president Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, expanding dramatically the war against Ukraine he began in 2014 and starting the largest war in Europe since World War II.}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|book|last=Ramani |first=Samuel |date=13 April 2023 |title=Putin's War on Ukraine: Russia's Campaign for Global Counter-Revolution |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=74ebEAAAQBAJ |publisher=Hurst Publishers |isbn=978-1-80526-003-5 |page=74}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|book|last=D'Anieri |first=Paul |author-link=Paul D'Anieri |date=23 March 2023 |title=Ukraine and Russia: From Civilized Divorce to Uncivil War |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ASysEAAAQBAJ |edition=2nd |location=Cambridge |publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]] |isbn=978-1-009-31550-0 |oclc=1350843759 |pages=i; 98}}</ref> The fighting has caused hundreds of thousands of [[Casualties of the Russo-Ukrainian War|military casualties]] and tens of thousands of Ukrainian [[Attacks on civilians in the Russian invasion of Ukraine|civilian casualties]]. {{As of|2026|8|alt=Russian troops 
[[Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine|occupy roughly 20% of Ukraine]].}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Russia-Ukraine War Report Card, Aug. 25, 2026|url=https://www.russiamatters.org/news/russia-ukraine-war-report-card/russia-ukraine-war-report-card-aug-18-2026 |access-date=27 August 2026 |website=Russia Matters}}</ref> From a population of 41 million, about 8 million Ukrainians have been internally displaced<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|title=Ukraine internal displacement report: General population Survey |url=https://crisisresponse.iom.int/sites/g/files/tmzbdl1481/files/appeal/documents/IOM_UKR_Internal%20Displacement%20Report_GPS%20R19_January%202025.pdf |access-date=4 December 2025 |website=Global Crisis Response Platform}}</ref> and 6–7 million have [[Ukrainian refugee crisis|fled the country]],<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Asadzade |first1=Ulviyya |last2=Sachalko |first2=Borys |title=Ukraine Faces Labor Shortage as Russia's War Empties Factories and Farms |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-war-creates-labor-shortages-in-ukraine/33606226.html |access-date=4 December 2025 |work=[[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]] |date=December 2025}}</ref> creating Europe's [[List of largest refugee crises|largest refugee crisis]] since World War II.

In late 2021, Russia [[Prelude to the Russian invasion of Ukraine|massed troops]] near Ukraine's borders and [[2021 Russian ultimatum to NATO|issued demands]] to [[Western world|the West]], including a ban on Ukraine ever joining [[NATO]]. After repeatedly denying having plans to attack Ukraine, on 24 February 2022, Russian president [[Vladimir Putin speech on invading Ukraine|Vladimir Putin announced]] a "[[special military operation]]" to support the Russian-backed breakaway [[Donetsk People's Republic|republics of Donetsk]] and [[Luhansk People's Republic|Luhansk]], whose [[Russian separatist forces in Ukraine|paramilitary forces]] had been fighting Ukraine in the [[War in Donbas|Donbas war]] since 2014. Putin espoused [[Russian irredentism|irredentist]] and [[Russian neo-imperialism|imperialist]] views challenging Ukraine's [[Right to exist|legitimacy as a state]]. He [[Disinformation in the Russian invasion of Ukraine#Russian themes|claimed without evidence]] that the Ukrainian government were [[Far-right politics in Ukraine#Russian disinformation|neo-Nazis]] committing [[Allegations of genocide in Donbas|genocide]] against the [[Russians in Ukraine|Russian minority]] in the [[Donbas]] and that Russia's goal was to "demilitarise and denazify" Ukraine.{{efn|Attributed to multiple references:<ref>{{#invoke:cite|journal|last=Marples |first=David R. |date=3 July 2022 |title=Russia's war goals in Ukraine |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00085006.2022.2107837 |journal=Revue Canadienne des Slavistes |volume=64 |issue=2–3 |pages=207–219 |doi=10.1080/00085006.2022.2107837 |issn=0008-5006}}</ref><ref name="The Conversation: Baseless but not unprecedented">{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Hinton |first=Alexander |author-link=Alexander Hinton |date=25 February 2022 |title=Putin's claims that Ukraine is committing genocide are baseless, but not unprecedented |url=https://theconversation.com/putins-claims-that-ukraine-is-committing-genocide-are-baseless-but-not-unprecedented-177511 |access-date=15 December 2024 |publisher=[[The Conversation (website)|The Conversation]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250518011039/https://theconversation.com/putins-claims-that-ukraine-is-committing-genocide-are-baseless-but-not-unprecedented-177511 |archive-date=18 May 2025}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|author=Al Jazeera Staff |title='No other option': Excerpts of Putin's speech declaring war |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/2/24/putins-speech-declaring-war-on-ukraine-translated-excerpts |access-date=15 December 2024 |work=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250406034718/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/2/24/putins-speech-declaring-war-on-ukraine-translated-excerpts |archive-date=6 April 2025}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last=melvin |first=Neil |title=Nationalist and Imperial Thinking Define Putin's Vision for Russia |url=https://www.rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/commentary/nationalist-and-imperial-thinking-define-putins-vision-russia |access-date=15 December 2024 |website=[[Royal United Services Institute]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250525092801/https://www.rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/commentary/nationalist-and-imperial-thinking-define-putins-vision-russia |archive-date=25 May 2025}}</ref><ref name="i505">{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Ukraine war: President Putin speech fact-checked |work=[[BBC News]] |date=21 February 2023 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/64718139 |access-date=3 August 2025}}</ref>}} Russian air strikes and a ground [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine|invasion]] were launched on a [[Northern Ukraine campaign|northern front]] from [[Belarus]] towards the capital, [[Kyiv]]; a [[Southern Ukraine campaign|southern front]] from [[2014 Russian annexation of Crimea|occupied Crimea]]; and an [[Eastern Ukraine campaign|eastern front]] from the Donbas towards [[Kharkiv]]. Ukraine enacted [[Martial law in Ukraine|martial law]], ordered [[Mobilization in Ukraine|a general mobilisation]], and severed diplomatic [[Russia–Ukraine relations|relations with Russia]].

Russian troops retreated from the north and the outskirts of Kyiv by April 2022, after encountering stiff resistance and logistical challenges. The [[Bucha massacre]] was uncovered after their withdrawal. Russia launched an [[Battle of Donbas (2022)|offensive in the Donbas]] and captured [[Mariupol]] after [[Siege of Mariupol|a destructive siege]]. Russia continued to bomb military and civilian targets far from the front and [[Russian strikes against Ukrainian infrastructure (2022–present)|struck Ukraine's energy grid]] during winter months. In late 2022, Ukraine launched successful counteroffensives in [[2022 Kherson counteroffensive|the south]] and [[2022 Kharkiv counteroffensive|east]], liberating most of [[Kharkiv Oblast]]. Soon after, Russia illegally [[Russian annexation of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts|annexed four partly occupied provinces]]. In November, Ukraine [[Liberation of Kherson|liberated the city of Kherson]] and all [[Russian occupation of Kherson Oblast|land west of the Dnipro River]]. After small but steady Russian advances in the east in the first half of 2024, Ukraine launched a cross-border [[Kursk campaign|offensive into Russia's Kursk Oblast]] in August, where [[North Korea]]n soldiers were sent to help Russia.

The [[Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights|United Nations Human Rights Office]] reports that Russia is committing severe [[Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine#Violations and war crimes|human rights violations]] in occupied Ukraine. Russia's [[Russian attacks on civilians in the Russo-Ukrainian war (2022–present)|attacks on civilians]], as well as its policies in occupied territories, have led to [[Allegations of genocide of Ukrainians in the Russo-Ukrainian War|allegations of genocide]].{{efn|Attributed to multiple references:<ref name="Etkind"/><ref name="h710">{{#invoke:cite|magazine|last=McGlynn |first=Jade |title=Russia Is Committing Cultural Genocide in Ukraine |magazine=[[Foreign Policy]] |date=23 April 2024 |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2024/04/23/russia-ukraine-cultural-genocide-looting-indoctrination-deporatation/ |access-date=4 July 2024}}</ref><ref name="q611">{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Stavljanin |first=Dragan |title=Genocide Scholar: 'I Do Think that Russia's Violence in Ukraine is Genocidal' |website=[[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]] |date=2 April 2024 |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-genocide-ukraine-scholar-war-crimes-prosecution-hague/32888386.html |access-date=4 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250622040322/https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-genocide-ukraine-scholar-war-crimes-prosecution-hague/32888386.html |archive-date=22 June 2025}}</ref><ref name="v008"/>}} The direct cost of the war for Russia has been estimated as over US$450 billion, while the [[World Bank Group]] estimates the cost of reconstruction in Ukraine at US$588 billion.

The Russian invasion was met with [[Reactions to the Russian invasion of Ukraine|international condemnation]]. Many countries imposed [[International sanctions during the Russian invasion of Ukraine|sanctions]] on Russia and its ally Belarus while providing [[List of humanitarian aid to Ukraine during the Russo-Ukrainian War|humanitarian]] and [[List of military aid to Ukraine during the Russo-Ukrainian War|military aid]] to Ukraine. [[Protests against the Russian invasion of Ukraine|Protests occurred]] around the world. Within its borders, Russia met [[2022 anti-war protests in Russia|anti-war protesters]] with mass arrests and [[Censorship in Russia|greater media censorship]]. War-related disruption to Ukrainian agriculture and shipping worsened the [[2022–2023 global food crises|world food crisis]]; war-related environmental damage was described as [[Ecocide#Russian invasion of Ukraine|ecocide]]. The [[International Criminal Court]] (ICC) opened [[International Criminal Court investigation in Ukraine|an investigation]] into [[crimes against humanity]], [[War crimes in the Russian invasion of Ukraine|war crimes]], [[Child abductions in the Russian invasion of Ukraine|abduction of Ukrainian children]], and genocide against Ukrainians. The ICC issued [[International Criminal Court arrest warrants for Russian leaders|arrest warrants for Putin]] and five other Russian officials. [[Peace negotiations in the Russo-Ukrainian war (2022–present)|Peace negotiations]] have stalled, and Russia has repeatedly refused calls for a ceasefire.

{{TOC limit}}

== Background ==
{{further|Russo-Ukrainian war|Russia–Ukraine relations}}

=== Post-Soviet relations ===
[[File:Presidents after signing the Trilateral Statement, Moscow, 1994.png|thumb|right|US president [[Bill Clinton|Clinton]], Russian president [[Boris Yeltsin|Yeltsin]], and Ukrainian president [[Leonid Kravchuk|Kravchuk]] after signing the [[Budapest Memorandum|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 maintained cordial relations. In return for security guarantees, Ukraine signed the [[Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons|Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty]] in 1994 and gave up its [[Ukraine and weapons of mass destruction|nuclear weapons]].<ref>
{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Budjeryn |first=Mariana |title=Issue Brief #3: The Breach: Ukraine's Territorial Integrity and the Budapest Memorandum |url=https://www.wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/media/documents/publication/Issue%20Brief%20No%203--The%20Breach--Final4.pdf |access-date=6 March 2022 |publisher=[[Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250513084856/https://www.wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/media/documents/publication/Issue%20Brief%20No%203--The%20Breach--Final4.pdf |archive-date=13 May 2025}}</ref> Russia, the US, and the UK agreed in the [[Budapest Memorandum]] to respect Ukraine's sovereignty and borders.<ref>
{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Vasylenko |first=Volodymyr |date=15 December 2009 |title=On assurances without guarantees in a 'shelved document' |work=The Day |url=https://www.day.kiev.ua/en/article/close/assurances-without-guarantees-shelved-document |access-date=7 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224163240/http://day.kyiv.ua/en/article/close/assurances-without-guarantees-shelved-document |archive-date=24 February 2021}}
* {{#invoke:cite|web|last=Harahan |first=Joseph P. |year=2014 |title=With Courage and Persistence: Eliminating and Securing Weapons of Mass Destruction with the Nunn-Luger Cooperative Threat Reduction Programs |url=https://www.dtra.mil/Portals/61/Documents/History/With%20Courage%20and%20Persistence%20CTR.pdf?ver=2016-05-09-102902-893 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228153820/https://www.dtra.mil/Portals/61/Documents/History/With%20Courage%20and%20Persistence%20CTR.pdf?ver=2016-05-09-102902-893 |archive-date=28 February 2022 |access-date=7 March 2022 |website=DTRA History Series |publisher=Defense Threat Reduction Agency |asin=B01LYEJ56H}}</ref> In 1999, Russia signed the [[Charter for European Security]], affirming that every country had the right "to choose or change its security arrangements" and to join military alliances.<ref>
{{#invoke:cite|web|date=19 November 1999 |title=Istanbul Document 1999 |url=https://www.osce.org/node/39569 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140601124042/https://www.osce.org/node/39569 |archive-date=1 June 2014 |access-date=21 July 2015 |publisher=[[Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe]] |page=[https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/6/5/39569.pdf#page=10 3] (PDF)}}</ref> In 2005, Putin said that if Ukraine wanted to join NATO, "we will respect their choice".<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|url=http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/transcripts/22952|title=Interview with French Television Company France 3|date=7 May 2005|website=President of&nbsp;Russia}}</ref>

=== Ukrainian revolution ===
{{Main|Revolution of Dignity}}

[[File:Euromaidan 19 January 3.jpg|thumb|left|Protesters at a rally on Independence Square, 19 January 2014]]
In 2013, [[Verkhovna Rada|Ukraine's parliament]] approved finalising the [[European Union–Ukraine Association Agreement]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Parliament passes statement on Ukraine's aspirations for European integration |url=https://www.kyivpost.com/article/content/ukraine-politics/parliament-passes-statement-on-ukraines-aspirations-for-european-integration-320792.html |author1=Interfax-Ukraine |work=[[Kyiv Post]] |date=22 February 2013 }}</ref> 
The [[Russia under Vladimir Putin|Putin regime]] put pressure on Ukraine to reject the agreement and [[Russian embargo of Ukrainian goods|imposed economic sanctions]] on the country.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|book|editor1-last=Dinan |editor1-first=Desmond |editor2-last=Nugent |editor2-first=Neil |title=The European Union in Crisis |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |pages=3, 274}}</ref> Kremlin adviser [[Sergei Glazyev]] warned in September 2013 that if Ukraine signed the EU agreement, Russia would no longer acknowledge [[Geography of Ukraine|Ukraine's borders]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Walker |first=Shaun |date=22 September 2013 |title=Ukraine's EU trade deal will be catastrophic, says Russia |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/22/ukraine-european-union-trade-russia |access-date=12 September 2023 |issn=0261-3077}}
* {{#invoke:cite|book|title=The European Union in Crisis |publisher=[[Palgrave Macmillan]] |editor1-last=Dinan |editor1-first=Desmond |pages=3, 274 |editor2-last=Nugent |editor2-first=Neil}}</ref>

In November, Ukrainian president [[Viktor Yanukovych]] suddenly withdrew from signing the agreement,<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/nov/21/ukraine-suspends-preparations-eu-trade-pact |title=Ukraine suspends talks on EU trade pact as Putin wins tug of war: Ukraine was due to sign accord at summit next week but MPs reject key bills, especially on freeing Yulia Tymoshenko from jail |first1=Ian |last1=Traynor |first2=Oksana |last2=Grytsenko |date=21 November 2013 |work=[[The Guardian]] }}</ref> choosing closer ties to Russia instead. This coerced withdrawal sparked massive protests known as [[Euromaidan]], culminating in the [[Revolution of Dignity]] in February 2014. Almost [[Maidan casualties|100 protesters were killed]] by state forces. Despite signing [[Agreement on settlement of political crisis in Ukraine|an agreement]], Yanukovych secretly fled to Russia.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2014-02-27 |title=Russia 'grants Ukraine's Viktor Yanukovych protection' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26367722 |access-date=2026-07-02 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> Ukraine's parliament [[Viktor Yanukovych#Removal from presidency|voted to remove him]] and hold [[2014 Ukrainian presidential election|new elections]],<ref name="b713">{{#invoke:cite|web| title=Ukrainian MPs vote to oust President Yanukovych | website=[[BBC News]] | date=22 February 2014 | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26304842 | access-date=26 June 2025}}</ref> which elected [[Petro Poroshenko]] as [[President of Ukraine|President]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-06-07 |title=Poroshenko sworn in as Ukrainian president |url=https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/208367.html |access-date=2026-07-02 |website=Interfax-Ukraine |language=en}}</ref>

=== Russian invasion of Crimea and Donbas ===
{{main|2014 pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine|2014 Russian annexation of Crimea|War in Donbas}}

[[File:2014 Russo-ukrainian-conflict map.svg|thumb|Map of Russian-controlled territory in Ukraine, September 2014]]
On 27 February 2014, [[Little green men (Russo-Ukrainian War)|Russian soldiers with no insignia]] began to [[Russian occupation of Crimea|occupy]] the Ukrainian territory of Crimea,<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/27/crimean-parliament-seized-by-unknown-pro-russian-gunmen |title=Crimean parliament seized by unknown pro-Russian gunmen: Gunmen storm Crimea's regional administrative complex in Simferopol and hoist Russian flag above parliament building |first1=Harriet |last1=Salem |first2=Shaun |last2=Walker |first3=Luke |last3=Harding |date=27 February 2014 |work=[[The Guardian]] }}</ref> blockading Ukrainian military bases.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Ukrainian forces withdraw from Crimea |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26713727 |access-date=9 April 2025 |work=[[BBC News]] |date=24 March 2014 }}</ref> In March, Russia [[Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation|annexed Crimea]] following an [[2014 Crimean status referendum|illegitimate referendum]] held under occupation. It was the first time since World War II that a European country had annexed part of another,<ref>{{cite web |title=Ukraine: Conflict at the Crossroads of Europe and Russia |url=https://www.cfr.org/backgrounders/ukraine-conflict-crossroads-europe-and-russia |website=[[Council on Foreign Relations]] |date=5 February 2020}}</ref> and several scholars likened it to Nazi Germany's [[Anschluss|annexation of Austria]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|book|last=Plokhy |first=Serhii |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=e3eoEAAAQBAJ&dq=annexation+of+the+peninsula+to+Hitler%E2%80%99s+Anschluss+of+Austria+in+1938&pg=PT64 |title=The Russo-Ukrainian War: The Return of History |date=9 May 2023 |publisher=[[W. W. Norton & Company]] |isbn=978-1-324-05120-6 |quote=... In an article published on the eve of the referendum, the historian Andrei Zubov, a professor at the elite Moscow Institute of International Relations, compared the planned annexation of the peninsula to Hitler's Anschluss of Austria in 1938. He drew parallels between Hitler's vision of Greater Germany and Russia's reunification rhetoric, pointed out that both acts were justified to the public by the need to protect allegedly persecuted minorities, German (in Czechoslovakia) in the first case and Russian in the second, and mentioned the staged referendum as a sham to provide legal cover for the forcible annexation. ...}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|journal|last=Žalimas |first=Dainius |date=14 March 2017 |title=Lessons of World War II and the Annexation of Crimea |url=https://ojs.mruni.eu/ojs/international-comparative-jurisprudence/article/view/4559 |journal=International Comparative Jurisprudence |volume=3 |issue=1 |pages=25–36 |doi=10.13165/j.icj.2017.03.003 |issn=2351-6674 |doi-access=free }}</ref><ref name="z259">{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Gouré |first=Daniel |title=Putin's Anschluss |website=[[Lexington Institute]] |date=3 March 2014 |url=https://lexingtoninstitute.org/putins-anschluss/ |access-date=13 October 2025}}</ref> The [[UN General Assembly]] adopted [[United Nations General Assembly Resolution 68/262|a resolution]] affirming the "territorial integrity of Ukraine" and rejecting the annexation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.securitycouncilreport.org/atf/cf/%7B65BFCF9B-6D27-4E9C-8CD3-CF6E4FF96FF9%7D/a_res_68_262.pdf|title=United Nations A/RES/68/262 General Assembly|date=1 April 2014|publisher=United Nations}}</ref> NATO also suspended [[Russia–NATO relations|cooperation with Russia]].<ref name="end coop">{{cite web |title=Ukraine Crisis: NATO Suspends Russia Co-operation |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26838894 |publisher=BBC News, UK |date=2 April 2014 |access-date=2 April 2014}}</ref> Putin [[Crimean speech of Vladimir Putin|said]] Crimea should never have been part of an independent Ukraine and claimed that Russia did not want to take any other regions of Ukraine.<ref>{{cite news |title=Crimea crisis: Russian President Putin's speech annotated |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26652058 |work=BBC News |date=19 March 2014}}</ref>

[[2014 pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine|Pro-Russian protests]] followed in the Ukrainian cities of [[Donetsk]] and [[Luhansk]], covertly funded and organised by Russia.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last1=Umland |first1=Andreas |title=The Glazyev Tapes: Getting to the root of the conflict in Ukraine |url=https://ecfr.eu/article/commentary_the_glazyev_tapes_getting_to_the_root_of_the_conflict_in_7165/ |website=[[European Council on Foreign Relations]] |date=1 November 2016}}</ref> In April 2014, armed [[Russian separatist forces in Donbas|Russian paramilitaries]] seized [[Sloviansk]] and other settlements, proclaiming the independent [[Donetsk People's Republic]] (DPR) and [[Luhansk People's Republic]] (LPR). Their commander, [[Igor Girkin]], acknowledged that this sparked the [[War in Donbas]], as Ukraine soon launched an operation to retake the territory.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Russia's Igor Strelkov: I Am Responsible for War in Eastern Ukraine |url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2014/11/21/russias-igor-strelkov-i-am-responsible-for-war-in-eastern-ukraine-a41598 |work=[[The Moscow Times]] |date=21 November 2014 |access-date=11 December 2020 |archive-date=23 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220223204015/https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2014/11/21/russias-igor-strelkov-i-am-responsible-for-war-in-eastern-ukraine-a41598 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Unnamed War Sloviansk">{{#invoke:cite|book|title=Ukraine's Unnamed War |date=2023 |pages=138–140 |editor-last=Arel |editor-first=Dominique |publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]] |editor2-last=Driscoll |editor2-first=Jesse}}</ref><ref name="AJ">{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Ragozin |first=Leonid |date=16 March 2019 |title=Annexation of Crimea: A masterclass in political manipulation |publisher=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]] |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2019/3/16/annexation-of-crimea-a-masterclass-in-political-manipulation |url-status=live |access-date=24 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107230534/https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2019/3/16/annexation-of-crimea-a-masterclass-in-political-manipulation/ |archive-date=7 November 2020}}</ref> Russia covertly supported the separatists with troops, tanks and artillery.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=23 October 2014 |title=Exclusive: Charred tanks in Ukraine point to Russian involvement |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-tanks-exclusive-idUSKCN0IC1GE20141023 |url-status=live |access-date=28 February 2022 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220301/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-tanks-exclusive-idUSKCN0IC1GE20141023 |archive-date=1 March 2022}}
*{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Walker |first1=Shaun |last2=Grytsenko |first2=Oksana |last3=Ragozin |first3=Leonid |date=3 September 2014 |title=Russian soldier: 'You're better clueless because the truth is horrible' |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/03/ukraine-soldier-youre-better-clueless-because-truth-horrible-moscow-ilovaysk |url-status=live |access-date=28 February 2022 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220301/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/03/ukraine-soldier-youre-better-clueless-because-truth-horrible-moscow-ilovaysk |archive-date=1 March 2022 |issn=1756-3224 |oclc=60623878}}</ref> The [[International Criminal Court investigation in Ukraine|International Criminal Court]] judged that the war was a national and international armed conflict involving Russia,<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|title=Report on Preliminary Examination Activities (2016) |url=https://www.icc-cpi.int/sites/default/files/iccdocs/otp/161114-otp-rep-PE_ENG.pdf |publisher=[[International Criminal Court]] |pages=33–38 |date=14 November 2016 }}</ref> and the [[European Court of Human Rights]] judged that Russia controlled the DPR and LPR from 2014 onward.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|title=Eastern Ukraine and flight MH17 case declared partly admissible |url=https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/app/conversion/pdf/?library=ECHR&id=003-7550165-10372782&filename=Grand%20Chamber%20decision%20Ukraine%20and%20the%20Netherlands%20v.%20Russia%20-%20Flight%20MH17%20and%20eastern-Ukraine-conflict%20case%20partially%20admissible,%20will%20proceed%20to%20judgment.pdf |publisher=[[European Court of Human Rights]] |date=25 January 2023 }}</ref> Ukraine's parliament declared the Donbas region to be occupied by Russia.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Ukraine declares Russian 'occupation' in eastern region |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/1/18/ukraine-declares-russian-occupation-in-eastern-region |work=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]] |date=18 January 2018 }}</ref>

The annexation of Crimea and the Donbas war sparked a wave of [[Russian nationalism]]. Analyst [[Vladimir Socor]] called Putin's [[Crimean speech of Vladimir Putin|2014 speech]] following the annexation a "manifesto of [[Russian irredentism|Greater Russia irredentism]]".<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Socor |first=Vladimir |author-link=Vladimir Socor |date=24 March 2014 |title=Putin's Crimea Speech: A Manifesto of Greater-Russia Irredentism |volume=11 |publisher=[[Eurasia Daily Monitor]] |issue=56 |url=https://jamestown.org/program/putins-crimea-speech-a-manifesto-of-greater-russia-irredentism/ }}</ref> Putin began referring to "[[Novorossiya]]" (New Russia), a former Russian imperial territory that covered much of southern Ukraine.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|book|last1=Kimmage |first1=Michael |title=Collisions: The Origins of the War in Ukraine and the New Global Instability |date=2024 |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |page=129}}</ref> Russian-backed forces were influenced by [[Russian neo-imperialism]]<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Ukraine: Are 2014 pro-Russia rebels fighting 1920s war? |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-28532392 |work=[[BBC News]] |date=28 July 2014 }}</ref> and sought to create a [[Novorossiya (confederation)|new Novorossiya]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|journal|last1=O'Loughlin |first1=John |title=The rise and fall of "Novorossiya": examining support for a separatist geopolitical imaginary in southeast Ukraine |journal=[[Post-Soviet Affairs]] |date=2017 |volume=33 |issue=2 |pages=124–144 |doi=10.1080/1060586X.2016.1146452 |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1060586X.2016.1146452|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

[[File:Normandy format (2019-10-09) 03.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Normandy Format]] meeting in December 2019 was the only meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin.<ref name="i407">{{#invoke:cite|web|title=Zelenskyy on meeting Putin in 2019: We talked and bargained a lot |website=Ukrainska Pravda |date=25 February 2024 |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2024/02/25/7443642/ |access-date=15 July 2024 }}</ref>]]

When the conflict began in 2014, Ukraine was officially [[neutral country|neutral]]<ref name="Atlantic Council: Ukrainian neutrality">{{#invoke:cite|web|last1=Blank |first1=Stephen |title=Ukrainian neutrality would not appease Putin or prevent further Russian aggression |url=https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainealert/ukrainian-neutrality-would-not-appease-putin-or-prevent-further-russian-aggression/ |publisher=[[Atlantic Council]] |date=28 January 2022 |access-date=8 March 2024 |archive-date=8 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308150443/https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainealert/ukrainian-neutrality-would-not-appease-putin-or-prevent-further-russian-aggression/ |url-status=live}}</ref> and said it was not seeking NATO membership.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Deschytsia states new government of Ukraine has no intention to join NATO |url=https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/198372.html |work=[[Interfax-Ukraine]] |date=29 March 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=New Ukraine president Petro Poroshenko vows to stop war |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/26/new-ukraine-president-petro-poroshenko-vows-stop-war |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=26 May 2014 }}</ref> Following Russia's occupation of Crimea and [[War in Donbas#August 2014 invasion by Russian forces|invasion of the Donbas]], Ukraine's parliament voted in December 2014 to revoke the country's neutral status and seek [[Ukraine–NATO relations|NATO membership]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-parliament-abandons-neutrality/26758725.html |title=Ukraine Votes To Abandon Neutrality |newspaper=[[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]] |date=23 December 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/odr/nato-ukraine-neutrality-russia-zelenskyi/ |title=How NATO can ease Ukraine's path to neutrality |website=[[openDemocracy]] |date=23 March 2022 }}</ref>

The [[Minsk agreements]] (September 2014 and February 2015) aimed to resolve the Donbas War, but ceasefires and further negotiations failed.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=29 July 2020 |title=Ukraine ceasefire violated more than 100 times within days: OSCE |publisher=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]] |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/7/29/ukraine-ceasefire-violated-more-than-100-times-within-days-osce |url-status=live |access-date=28 February 2022 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220301/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/7/29/ukraine-ceasefire-violated-more-than-100-times-within-days-osce |archive-date=1 March 2022}}</ref> The [[Western world|West]]'s weak response to Russian actions led Putin to believe the West would not react strongly to the 2022 invasion.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|book|last=Brands |first=Hal |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WxP-EAAAQBAJ&dq=Russia%E2%80%99s+invasion+of+Georgia+in+2008+and+Ukraine+in+2014+provided+ample+evidence&pg=PA39 |title=War in Ukraine: Conflict, Strategy, and the Return of a Fractured World |date=2 April 2024 |publisher=JHU Press |isbn=978-1-4214-4984-5 |page=39 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|book|last1=Kuzio |first1=Taras |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=M6dK0AEACAAJ |title=Fascism and Genocide: Russia's War Against Ukrainians |last2=Jajecznyk-Kelman |first2=Stefan |date=2023 |publisher=ibidem |isbn=978-3-8382-7791-2 |page=237 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|book|last=Brands |first=Hal |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WxP-EAAAQBAJ&dq=on+Kyiv,+the+West+never+gave+Putin+much+reason+to+believe+he+would+suffer&pg=PA5 |title=War in Ukraine: Conflict, Strategy, and the Return of a Fractured World |date=2 April 2024 |publisher=JHU Press |isbn=978-1-4214-4984-5 |page=5 |language=en}}</ref> Several political scientists said this encouraged further Russian aggression.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|book|last=Ramani |first=Samuel |date=13 April 2023 |title=Putin's War on Ukraine: Russia's Campaign for Global Counter-Revolution |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=74ebEAAAQBAJ |publisher=Hurst Publishers |isbn=978-1-80526-003-5 |page=11}}</ref><ref name="u485">{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Hall |first=Stephen |title=Ukraine war: how the west's weak reaction to Crimea's referendum paved the way for a wider invasion |website=[[The Conversation (website)|The Conversation]] |date=18 January 2024 |url=https://theconversation.com/ukraine-war-how-the-wests-weak-reaction-to-crimeas-referendum-paved-the-way-for-a-wider-invasion-201269 |access-date=25 March 2025 }}</ref><ref name="o290">{{#invoke:cite|web|last1=Kazdobina |first1=Julia |last2=Hedenskog |first2=Jakob |last3=Umland |first3=Andreas |title=How the West Misunderstood Moscow in Ukraine |website=[[Foreign Policy]] |date=17 July 2024 |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2024/07/17/ukraine-russia-war-2014-donbas-crimea-west/ |access-date=25 March 2025 }}</ref>

== Prelude ==
{{Main|Prelude to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine}}

{{Further|Russian opposition to Ukrainian NATO membership|Disinformation in the Russian invasion of Ukraine}}

=== Russian military buildup and demands ===
[[File:Russian forces near Ukraine, 2021-12-03 (crop).jpg|thumb|Russian military build-up around Ukraine as of 3 December 2021]]
There was a Russian military build-up near Ukraine's borders in March and April 2021,<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://www.wilsoncenter.org/article/russian-military-buildup-ukraines-border-expert-analysis |title=The Russian Military Buildup on Ukraine's Border: An Expert Analysis |first1=Peter B. |last1=Zwack |first2=Victor |last2=Andrusiv |first3=Oksana |last3=Antonenko |date=15 April 2021 |publisher=[[Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars|Wilson Center]]}}
* {{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/22/europe/russia-military-ukraine-border-exercises-intl/index.html |title=Russia pulls back troops after massive buildup near Ukraine border |first1=Zahra |last1=Ullah |first2=Anna |last2=Chernova |first3=Eliza |last3=Mackintosh |publisher=[[CNN]] |date=23 April 2021}}</ref> and again in both Russia and Belarus from October 2021 onward.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Harris |first1=Shane |last2=Sonne |first2=Paul |date=3 December 2021 |title=Russia planning massive military offensive against Ukraine involving 175,000 troops, U.S. intelligence warns |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/russia-ukraine-invasion/2021/12/03/98a3760e-546b-11ec-8769-2f4ecdf7a2ad_story.html |access-date=23 February 2023|name-list-style=and}}
*{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Schogol |first=Jeff |date=22 February 2022 |title=Here's what those mysterious white 'Z' markings on Russian military equipment may mean |url=https://taskandpurpose.com/analysis/russian-military-equipment-white-markings/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220227/https://taskandpurpose.com/analysis/russian-military-equipment-white-markings/ |archive-date=27 February 2022 |access-date=27 February 2022 |website=[[Task & Purpose]] |publisher=North Equity |quote=[B]ottom line is the 'Z' markings (and others like it) are a deconfliction measure to help prevent friendly fire incidents.}}</ref> Russia said it was only holding [[military exercise]]s. Members of its government, including Putin, repeatedly denied having plans to invade Ukraine, issuing denials up until the day before the invasion.<ref name="denials">{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Taylor |first=Adam |others=Photograph by [[Evgeniy Maloletka]] ([[Associated Press]]) |date=24 February 2022 |title=Russia's attack on Ukraine came after months of denials it would attack |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/02/24/ukraine-russia-denials/ |url-access=limited |access-date=26 February 2022 |quote=On Sunday ... "There is no invasion. There is no such plans," Antonov said.}}</ref><ref name="Deny">{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Farley |first1=Robert |last2=Kiely |first2=Eugene |date=24 February 2022 |title=Russian Rhetoric Ahead of Attack 66 Ukraine: Deny, Deflect, Mislead |work=[[FactCheck.org]] |publisher=[[Annenberg Public Policy Center]] |url=https://www.factcheck.org/2022/02/russian-rhetoric-ahead-of-attack-against-ukraine-deny-deflect-mislead/ |url-status=live |access-date=26 February 2022 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220227/https://www.factcheck.org/2022/02/russian-rhetoric-ahead-of-attack-against-ukraine-deny-deflect-mislead/ |archive-date=27 February 2022 |quote=Nov. 28 – ... 'Russia has never hatched, is not hatching and will never hatch any plans to attack anyone,' Peskov said. ... 19 Jan – ... Ryabkov ... 'We do not want and will not take any action of aggressive character. We will not attack, strike, invade, quote unquote, whatever Ukraine.'}}</ref><ref name="Czech">{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Fořtová |first=Klára |date=8 March 2022 |title=Velvyslanec Ukrajiny v Česku denně promlouvá, ruský mlčí a je 'neviditelný' |language=cs |trans-title=Ukraine's ambassador to the Czech Republic speaks daily, the Russian is silent and 'invisible' |work=[[Mladá fronta DNES]] |url=https://www.idnes.cz/zpravy/domaci/jevhen-perebyjnis-alexandr-zmejevskij-velvyslanec-rusko-ukrajina.A220307_095550_domaci_klf |url-status=live |access-date=10 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308092951/https://www.idnes.cz/zpravy/domaci/jevhen-perebyjnis-alexandr-zmejevskij-velvyslanec-rusko-ukrajina.A220307_095550_domaci_klf |archive-date=8 March 2022 |quote=Zmejevský{{nbsp}}... 'Důrazně jsme odmítli jako nepodložená obvinění Ruska z přípravy, agrese vůči Ukrajině a fámy o vstupu ruských jednotek na ukrajinské území,' stojí v něm. |trans-quote=Zmeevsky{{nbsp}}... 'We emphatically dismissed Russia's allegations of preparation, aggression against Ukraine and rumours of Russian troops entering Ukrainian territory,' he said.}}</ref>

[[Russian separatist forces in Ukraine|Russia's proxy forces]] launched thousands of attacks on Ukrainian troops in the Donbas.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|title=Ongoing Violations of International Law and Defiance of OSCE Principles and Commitments by the Russian Federation in Ukraine |url=https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/2/0/488998.pdf |publisher=United States Mission to the [[OSCE]] |access-date=6 March 2025 |date=20 May 2021}}</ref> [[OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine|Observers]] from the [[Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe]] (OSCE) reported more than 90,000 ceasefire violations throughout 2021, most in Russian-controlled<!--"non-government controlled area" or "NGCA"--> territory.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|title=2021 trends and observations |publisher=[[Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe]] |url=https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/2/a/511327.pdf |access-date=6 March 2025 |date=2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250529002311/https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/2/a/511327.pdf |archive-date=29 May 2025}}</ref>

In July 2021, Putin published "[[On the Historical Unity of Russians and Ukrainians]]," in which he called Ukraine "historically Russian lands" and claimed there is "no historical basis" for the "idea of Ukrainian people as a nation separate from the Russians."<ref name="Duben">{{#invoke:cite|journal|last1=Düben |first1=Björn Alexander |title=Revising History and 'Gathering the Russian Lands': Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian Nationhood |journal=LSE Public Policy Review |date=8 September 2023 |volume=3 |issue=1 |article-number=4 |doi=10.31389/lseppr.86 |doi-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Putin |first=Vladimir |author-link=Vladimir Putin |date=12 July 2021 |title=Article by Vladimir Putin 'On the Historical Unity of Russians and Ukrainians' |url=https://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/66181 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125053520/https://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/66181 |archive-date=25 January 2022 |access-date=1 February 2022 |website=[[The Kremlin]] |publisher=[[Government of Russia]]}}</ref>{{anchor|putinsEssay}} Putin was accused of promoting [[Russian imperialism]], historical revisionism, and disinformation.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Roth |first=Andrew |date=7 December 2021 |title=Putin's Ukraine rhetoric driven by distorted view of neighbor |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/07/putins-ukraine-rhetoric-driven-by-distorted-view-of-neighbour |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211207180813/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/07/putins-ukraine-rhetoric-driven-by-distorted-view-of-neighbour |archive-date=7 December 2021 |access-date=25 January 2021 |website=[[The Guardian]] |quote=fear has gone hand-in-hand with chauvinistic bluster that indicates Moscow has a distorted view of modern Ukraine and the goals it wants to achieve there.}}
* {{#invoke:cite|web|last=Lucas |first=Edward |date=15 September 2020 |title=Why Putin's history essay requires a rewrite |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/why-putins-history-essay-requires-a-rewrite-6nzjzbqjb |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125143913/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/why-putins-history-essay-requires-a-rewrite-6nzjzbqjb |archive-date=25 January 2022 |access-date=25 September 2023 |website=[[The Times]]}}
* {{#invoke:cite|web|last1=Dickinson |first1=Peter |last2=Haring |first2=Melinda |last3=Lubkivsky |first3=Danylo |last4=Motyl |first4=Alexander |last5=Whitmore |first5=Brian |last6=Goncharenko |first6=Oleksiy |last7=Fedchenko |first7=Yevhen |last8=Bonner |first8=Brian |last9=Kuzio |first9=Taras |date=15 July 2021 |title=Putin's new Ukraine essay reveals imperial ambitions |url=https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainealert/putins-new-ukraine-essay-reflects-imperial-ambitions/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210715191212/https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainealert/putins-new-ukraine-essay-reflects-imperial-ambitions/ |archive-date=15 July 2021 |access-date=25 September 2023 |publisher=[[Atlantic Council]] |quote=Vladimir Putin's inaccurate and distorted claims are neither new nor surprising. They are just the latest example of gaslighting by the Kremlin leader.}}
* {{#invoke:cite|web|last=Wilson |first=Andrew |date=23 December 2021 |title=Russia and Ukraine: 'One People' as Putin Claims? |url=https://rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/commentary/russia-and-ukraine-one-people-putin-claims |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124130721/https://rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/commentary/russia-and-ukraine-one-people-putin-claims/ |archive-date=24 January 2022 |access-date=25 January 2022 |publisher=[[Royal United Services Institute]] |quote=Putin's key trope is that Ukrainians and Russians are 'one people', and he calls them both 'Russian'. He starts with a myth of common origin: 'Russians, Ukrainians and Belarusians are all descendants of Ancient Rus', which was the largest state in Europe' from the 9th to 13th centuries AD.}}</ref>

[[File:Deputy Secretary Sherman Meets With the NATO-Russia Council (51815888987).jpg|thumb|Meeting of the [[NATO-Russia Council]] on 12 January 2022]]

The [[December 2021 Russian ultimatum to NATO]] included demands that NATO end all activity in its Eastern European member states and ban Ukraine or any [[Post-Soviet states|former Soviet state]] from ever joining the alliance.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Putin warns Russia will act if NATO crosses its red lines in Ukraine |url=https://www.reuters.com/markets/stocks/putin-warns-russia-will-act-if-nato-crosses-its-red-lines-ukraine-2021-11-30/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241216001315/https://www.reuters.com/markets/stocks/putin-warns-russia-will-act-if-nato-crosses-its-red-lines-ukraine-2021-11-30/ |archive-date=16 December 2024 |access-date=29 November 2025 |work=Reuters |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="v440">{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Roth |first=Andrew |title=Russia issues list of demands it says must be met to lower tensions in Europe |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=17 December 2021 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/17/russia-issues-list-demands-tensions-europe-ukraine-nato |access-date=5 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250618172507/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/17/russia-issues-list-demands-tensions-europe-ukraine-nato |archive-date=18 June 2025}}</ref><ref name="Reuters 17 Dec 21">{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Tétrault-Farber |first1=Gabrielle |last2=Balmforth |first2=Tom |date=17 December 2021 |title=Russia demands NATO roll back from East Europe and stay out of Ukraine |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/russia-unveils-security-guarantees-says-western-response-not-encouraging-2021-12-17/ |url-status=live |access-date=24 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220222081106/https://www.reuters.com/world/russia-unveils-security-guarantees-says-western-response-not-encouraging-2021-12-17/ |archive-date=22 February 2022}}</ref><ref name="FG"/> Russia's government said NATO was a threat and warned of a military response if it followed an "aggressive line".<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=MacKinnon |first=Mark |date=21 December 2021 |title=Putin warns of unspecified military response if U.S. and NATO continue 'aggressive line' |work=[[The Globe and Mail]] |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-putin-warns-of-unspecified-military-response-if-us-and-nato-continue/ |url-status=live |access-date=24 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220115165246/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-putin-warns-of-unspecified-military-response-if-us-and-nato-continue/ |archive-date=15 January 2022}}</ref> A US official said the US was willing to discuss the proposals, but there were some that "the Russians know are unacceptable" and had already been ruled out.<ref name="Reuters 17 Dec 21"/> NATO Secretary General [[Jens Stoltenberg]] replied that "Russia has no veto" on whether Ukraine joins and "has no right to establish a [[sphere of influence]] to try to control their neighbours."<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=1 December 2021 |title=NATO chief: "Russia has no right to establish a sphere of influence" |work=[[Axios (website)|Axios]] |url=https://www.axios.com/nato-russia-ukraine-invasion-18619fd7-be80-4d37-86f8-fcebcb1fbe8a.html |url-status=live |access-date=17 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220214172403/https://www.axios.com/nato-russia-ukraine-invasion-18619fd7-be80-4d37-86f8-fcebcb1fbe8a.html |archive-date=14 February 2022}}</ref> NATO underlined that it is a [[Collective security|defensive alliance]] and had [[Russia-NATO relations|co-operated with Russia]] until the Crimea annexation.<ref name="NATO myths">{{#invoke:cite|web|title=NATO-Russia: Setting the record straight |url=https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/115204.htm |access-date=16 May 2023 |publisher=[[NATO]]}}</ref>

Several Western political analysts suggested that Russia knew its "unrealistic demands" would be rejected,<ref name="Reuters 17 Dec 21"/> giving it a [[pretext]] to invade.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last1=Pifer |first1=Steven |title=Russia's draft agreements with NATO and the United States: Intended for rejection? |url=https://www.brookings.edu/articles/russias-draft-agreements-with-nato-and-the-united-states-intended-for-rejection/ |website=[[Brookings Institution]] |date=21 December 2021}}</ref> No countries bordering Russia had joined NATO since 2004. Ukraine had not yet applied, and some NATO states would likely veto its membership.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Coyer |first=Cassandre |date=25 February 2022 |title=Why is Ukraine not in NATO and is it too late to join? Here's what experts, NATO say |work=[[The Miami Herald]] |url=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/article258774458.html |url-status=live |access-date=28 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329021337/https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/article258774458.html |archive-date=29 March 2022}}</ref> Analysts [[Taras Kuzio]] and [[Vladimir Socor]] agree that "when Russia made its decision to invade Ukraine, that country was more remote than ever not only from NATO membership but also from any track that might lead to membership."<ref name="FG">{{#invoke:cite|book|last1=Kuzio |first1=Taras |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IpBtzwEACAAJ |title=Fascism and Genocide: Russia's War Against Ukrainians |last2=Jajecznyk-Kelman |first2=Stefan |date=2023 |publisher=[[Columbia University Press]] |isbn=978-3-8382-1791-8 |pages=17, 57}}</ref> Political scientists [[Michael McFaul]] and Robert Person said Russia's occupation of Crimea and the Donbas had already blocked Ukraine's NATO membership; they suggested Putin's real aim was to subjugate Ukraine.<ref name="Person-McFaul1">{{#invoke:cite|journal|last1=Person |first1=Robert |last2=McFaul |first2=Michael |title=What Putin Fears Most |journal=Journal of Democracy |date=April 2022 |volume=33 |issue=2 |pages=18–27 |doi=10.1353/jod.2022.0015 |url=https://www.journalofdemocracy.org/articles/what-putin-fears-most/ |access-date=8 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240406093802/https://www.journalofdemocracy.org/articles/what-putin-fears-most/ |archive-date=6 April 2024 |url-status=live |issn=1045-5736|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

NATO offered to negotiate some of Russia's demands and to improve military [[Transparency (behavior)|transparency]], as long as Russia stopped its troop buildup.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=US offers no concessions in response to Russia on Ukraine |url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-europe-russia-united-states-moscow-72856781c3b92640d03c5e954488ba90 |work=[[Associated Press]] |date=26 January 2022}}</ref> The alliance rejected Russia's demand to keep Ukraine out of NATO forever, pointing out that Russia had signed agreements affirming the right of Ukraine and other countries to join alliances.<ref name="ElPais">{{#invoke:cite|news|title=US offered disarmament measures to Russia in exchange for deescalation of military threat in Ukraine |url=https://english.elpais.com/usa/2022-02-02/us-offers-disarmament-measures-to-russia-in-exchange-for-a-deescalation-of-military-threat-in-ukraine.html |work=[[El País]] |date=2 February 2022}}</ref><ref name="DD">{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Brumme |first=Christoph |date=28 January 2024 |title=Der dysfunktionale russische Staat ist nicht wettbewerbsfähig |url=https://www.nzz.ch/meinung/des-kremls-uebersehene-kriegsgruende-der-dysfunktionale-russische-staat-kann-im-friedlichen-wettbewerb-mit-anderen-laendern-schlicht-nicht-mithalten-ld.1775119 |access-date=6 December 2024 |work=Neue Zürcher Zeitung |language=de-CH |issn=0376-6829 }}</ref> The US proposed that it and Russia sign an agreement not to station missiles or troops in Ukraine.<ref name="ElPais"/> Putin replied that Russia's demands had been "ignored," and the Russian troop buildup continued.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Putin: U.S. and NATO have "ignored" Russia's main security demands |url=https://www.axios.com/2022/02/01/putin-nato-demands-ukraine-orban |work=[[Axios (website)|Axios]] |date=1 February 2022}}</ref>

Western leaders vowed heavy sanctions should Putin invade rather than negotiate.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=U.S. and NATO Respond to Putin's Demands as Ukraine Tensions Mount |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/26/us/politics/russia-demands-us-ukraine.html |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=26 January 2022}}</ref> French president [[Emmanuel Macron]]<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/kremlin-denies-putin-promised-not-hold-manoeuvres-near-ukraine-2022-02-08/ |title=France's Macron calls for calm to resolve Ukraine crisis |first1=Michael |last1=Rose |first2=Pavel |last2=Polityuk |date=8 February 2022 |work=[[Reuters]]}}</ref> and German chancellor [[Olaf Scholz]] met Putin in February 2022 to dissuade him from invading. Putin told Scholz that Ukraine should not be an independent state.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Scholz: Putin started war for 'completely absurd' reasons |url=https://www.dw.com/en/germanys-scholz-says-putin-started-war-for-completely-absurd-reasons/a-62880926 |work=[[Deutsche Welle]] |date=21 August 2022}}</ref> Zelenskyy said Putin had broken agreements and could not be trusted to respect Ukrainian neutrality.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Gordon |first1=Michael R. |last2=Pancevski |first2=Bojan |last3=Bisserbe |first3=Noemie |last4=Walker |first4=Marcus |date=1 April 2022 |title=Vladimir Putin's 20-Year March to War in Ukraine—and How the West Mishandled It |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/vladimir-putins-20-year-march-to-war-in-ukraineand-how-the-west-mishandled-it-11648826461 |url-access=subscription |access-date=18 June 2022}}</ref> At the [[Munich Security Conference]], Zelenskyy called for Western powers to end their "[[appeasement]]" of Putin and give a timeframe for when Ukraine could join NATO.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=West should stop 'appeasement' policy towards Russia, says Ukraine's Zelensky |url=https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20220219-harris-to-meet-zelensky-as-ukraine-crisis-overshadows-munich-security-conference |access-date=10 February 2024 |work=France 24 |date=19 February 2022}}</ref>

[[File:Luhansk thermal power plant after shelling, 2022-02-22 (01).jpg|thumb|upright=.8|[[Luhansk power station]] after being shelled by Russian-backed forces in the Donbas, 22 February 2022]]
Shortly before the invasion, Russia's proxy forces stepped up attacks on Ukrainian forces and civilians in the Donbas.<ref name="BBC 19 Feb 2022">{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Ukraine will not respond to provocations, Zelensky says |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-60448638 |work=[[BBC News]] |date=19 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250403230835/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-60448638 |archive-date=3 April 2025}}</ref><ref name="Guardian 18 Feb 2022">{{#invoke:cite|news|first1=Shaun |last1=Walker |first2=Andrew |last2=Roth |title=Pro-Russian separatists order mass evacuation of eastern Ukraine |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/18/pro-russian-separatist-order-mass-evacuation-eastern-ukraine-fear-moscow-seeking-create-pretext-invasion |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=18 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250414194104/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/18/pro-russian-separatist-order-mass-evacuation-eastern-ukraine-fear-moscow-seeking-create-pretext-invasion |archive-date=14 April 2025}}</ref> Separatist leaders warned that Ukraine was about to launch an offensive, but they gave no evidence, and ''[[The Guardian]]'' noted it would be "exceedingly risky" for Ukraine to assault the Donbas while Russian troops were massed on its borders.<ref name="Guardian 18 Feb 2022"/> Ukraine and Western leaders accused Russia of staging [[false flag|false-flag]] attacks and trying to provoke retaliation to give Russia a pretext for invading.<ref name="BBC 19 Feb 2022"/><ref name="Guardian 18 Feb 2022"/> On 17 February, Russian proxy forces [[Stanytsia Luhanska kindergarten bombing|shelled a kindergarten]] in Ukrainian-held territory, then blamed it on Ukraine.<ref name="Guardian 18 Feb 2022"/> Zelenskyy said his military would not respond to the provocations.<ref name="BBC 19 Feb 2022"/>

=== Invasion plans ===
The [[Royal United Services Institute]] reported that Russia's plan involved defeating Ukraine within ten days and capturing or killing its government, followed by [[Zachistka|"mopping up" operations]]; establishing [[Russian filtration camps for Ukrainians|filtration camps for Ukrainians]]; setting up occupation regimes; executing people involved in the Revolution of Dignity; and annexation.<ref name="RUSI invasion plan">{{#invoke:cite|web|last1=Zabrodskyi |first1=Mykhaylo |last2=Watling |first2=Jack |last3=Danylyuk |first3=Oleksandr |last4=Reynolds |first4=Nick |title=Preliminary Lessons in Conventional Warfighting from Russia's Invasion of Ukraine: February–July 2022 |url=https://static.rusi.org/359-SR-Ukraine-Preliminary-Lessons-Feb-July-2022-web-final.pdf |date=30 November 2022 |publisher=[[Royal United Services Institute]] |pages=1–12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250617163952/https://static.rusi.org/359-SR-Ukraine-Preliminary-Lessons-Feb-July-2022-web-final.pdf |archive-date=17 June 2025}}</ref><ref name="KyivPost invasion plan">{{#invoke:cite|news|date=2 December 2022 |title=Captured Documents Show Moscow Planned to Start War with "Massive Airstrike Campaign" |url=https://www.kyivpost.com/post/4768 |work=[[Kyiv Post]]}}</ref><ref name="SkyNews invasion plan">{{#invoke:cite|news|date=1 December 2022 |title=Ukraine war: Captured Russian documents reveal Moscow's 10-day plan to take over the country and kill its leaders |url=https://news.sky.com/story/ukraine-war-captured-russian-documents-reveal-moscows-10-day-plan-to-take-over-the-country-and-kill-its-leaders-12759836 |work=[[Sky News]]}}</ref> The decision to invade was reportedly made by Putin and a small group of [[war hawk]]s or ''[[silovik]]i'' in Putin's inner circle, including national security adviser [[Nikolai Patrushev]] and [[Minister of Defence (Russia)|defence minister]] [[Sergei Shoigu]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=20 March 2022 |title=Kremlin Insiders Alarmed Over Growing Toll of Putin's War in Ukraine |work=[[Bloomberg News]] |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-04-20/putin-s-war-in-ukraine-has-russian-elites-fearing-global-isolation }}</ref>

After the invasion began, Ukrainian and Western analysts assessed that Putin seemed to have believed the Russian military could seize [[Kyiv]] within days. This assessment led to the conclusion that "taking Kyiv in three days" had been the original goal of the invasion.<ref name="Sheftalovich2">{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Sheftalovich |first=Zoya |date=26 February 2022 |title=Putin's miscalculation |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/ukraine-war-russia-vladimir-putin-miscalculation/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220310193923/https://www.politico.eu/article/ukraine-war-russia-vladimir-putin-miscalculation/ |archive-date=10 March 2022 |access-date=11 March 2022 |work=[[Politico]]}}</ref><ref name="France 24">{{#invoke:cite|news|author=AFP |date=8 March 2022 |title=Five reasons why Ukraine has been able to stall Russian advance |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220308-five-reasons-why-ukraine-has-been-able-to-stall-russian-advance |access-date=21 December 2022 |work=France 24}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ft.com/content/6d1f5ad5-f867-4e65-9127-916a195e9780|title=Putin has once again overplayed his hand in Ukraine|website=ft.com}}</ref>

==== Putin's invasion announcement ====
{{Main|Vladimir Putin speech on invading Ukraine}}

[[File:Обращение Президента Российской Федерации 2022-02-24.webm|thumb|Putin's address to the nation on 24 February 2022. Minutes after Putin's announcement, the invasion began.]]
On 21 February, Putin [[Vladimir Putin speech on recognising the Donetsk and Luhansk people's republics|announced]] the formal recognition of the independence of the [[Donetsk People's Republic]] and [[Luhansk People's Republic]] by Russia. The following day, Russia announced that it was sending troops into the territories as "peacekeepers",<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=22 February 2022 |title=Ukraine crisis: Russia orders troops into rebel-held regions |work=[[BBC News]] |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-60468237 }}</ref> and the [[Federation Council (Russia)|Federation Council of Russia]] authorised the use of military force abroad.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|date=22 February 2022 |title=Federation Council gives consent to use the Russian Armed Forces outside of the Russian Federation |work=Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation |url=http://council.gov.ru/en/events/news/133443/ |access-date=21 March 2023 |publisher=[[Federation Council of Russia]] }}</ref>

Before 5&nbsp;a.m. Kyiv time on 24 February, Putin, in [[Vladimir Putin speech on invading Ukraine|another speech]], announced a "[[special military operation]]," which effectively declared war on Ukraine.<ref name="Meduza_Putin_announces_invasion">{{#invoke:cite|news|date=24 February 2022 |title=Putin announces formal start of Russia's invasion in eastern Ukraine |work=[[Meduza (website)|Meduza]] |url=https://meduza.io/en/news/2022/02/24/putin-announces-start-of-military-operation-in-eastern-ukraine |access-date=24 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220224033732/https://meduza.io/en/news/2022/02/24/putin-announces-start-of-military-operation-in-eastern-ukraine |archive-date=24 February 2022}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=24 February 2022 |title=Putin declares war on Ukraine |url=https://kyivindependent.com/national/putin-declares-war-on-ukraine |access-date=24 June 2022 |work=[[The Kyiv Independent]]}}
*{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Haltiwager |first=John |date=23 February 2022 |title=Russian President Vladimir Putin announces military assault against Ukraine in surprise speech |work=[[Business Insider]] |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/putin-announces-military-assault-against-ukraine-in-surprise-speech-2022-2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220224031448/https://www.businessinsider.com/putin-announces-military-assault-against-ukraine-in-surprise-speech-2022-2 |archive-date=24 February 2022 |access-date=24 February 2022}}</ref> Putin said the operation was to "protect the people" of the Russian-controlled breakaway republics. He [[Allegations of genocide in Donbas|baselessly claimed]] that Russians in the Donbas had "been facing humiliation and genocide perpetrated by the Kyiv regime" for 8 years.<ref name="The Conversation: Baseless but not unprecedented"/> Putin said Russia was being threatened: he [[Disinformation in the Russian invasion of Ukraine#Russian themes|baselessly claimed]] that Ukrainian officials [[Disinformation in the Russian invasion of Ukraine#Allegations of Nazism|were neo-Nazis]] under Western control, that Ukraine was developing nuclear weapons, and that a hostile NATO was building up its forces and infrastructure in Ukraine.<ref name="Putin declaration"/><ref name="bbc22422"/> He said Russia sought the "demilitarisation and denazification" of Ukraine and denied the legitimacy of the Ukrainian state.<ref name="bbc22422">{{#invoke:cite|news|date=24 February 2022 |title=Ukraine conflict: Russian forces attack after Putin TV declaration<!-- different from current title, please do not change --> |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-60503037 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220224064553/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60503037 |archive-date=24 February 2022 |access-date=24 February 2022 |work=[[BBC News]] }}</ref><ref name="Time22222">{{cite magazine |last=Perrigo |first=Billy |title=What Putin Gets Wrong About Ukraine's Statehood |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date=22 February 2022 |url=https://time.com/6150046/ukraine-statehood-russia-history-putin/ |access-date=6 November 2023}}</ref> Putin said he had no plans to occupy Ukraine.<ref name="Putin declaration">{{#invoke:cite|news|date=24 February 2022 |title=Full text: Putin's declaration of war on Ukraine |work=[[The Spectator]] |url=https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/full-text-putin-s-declaration-of-war-on-ukraine }}</ref> The invasion began within minutes of Putin's speech.<ref name="Meduza_Putin_announces_invasion"/>

== Events ==
{{for timeline|Timeline of the Russo-Ukrainian war (2022–present)}}
{{main list|List of military engagements during the Russo-Ukrainian war (2022–present)
}}
<!--Placeholder for inserting recap of timeline below. See discussion: [[Talk:Russian invasion of Ukraine#Day by day – too much]]-->
[[File:Russian troops in Novoaidar, 6 March 2022.png|thumb|Russian troops in Ukraine early in the 2022 invasion]]
The invasion began at dawn on 24 February.<ref name="Meduza_Putin_announces_invasion"/><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Missiles rain down around Ukraine |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/putin-orders-military-operations-ukraine-demands-kyiv-forces-surrender-2022-02-24/ |work=[[Reuters]] |date=25 February 2022}}
* {{#invoke:cite|news|title=Russian forces launch full-scale invasion of Ukraine |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/2/24/putin-orders-military-operations-in-eastern-ukraine-as-un-meets |work=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]] |date=24 February 2022}}</ref> It was the biggest attack on a European country and the first full-scale war in Europe since World War II.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|book|last=Dietrich |first=Marc |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ujQszwEACAAJ |title=A Cosmopolitan Model for Peacebuilding: The Ukrainian Cases of Crimea and the Donbas |date=2023 |publisher=Ibidem Verlag |isbn=978-3-8382-1687-4}}</ref> Russia launched a simultaneous ground and air attack.<ref name="CriticalThreats">{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Kagan |first1=Frederick |last2=Barros |first2=George |last3=Stepanenko |first3=Kateryna |date=5 March 2022 |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, March 4 |work=CriticalThreats |url=https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-4 |access-date=5 March 2022 }}</ref><ref name="ISW 4MAR"/> Missiles struck targets throughout Ukraine,<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Sheftalovich |first=Zoya |date=24 February 2022 |title=Battles flare across Ukraine after Putin declares war |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/putin-announces-special-military-operation-in-ukraine/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220224064603/https://www.politico.eu/article/putin-announces-special-military-operation-in-ukraine/ |archive-date=24 February 2022 |access-date=24 February 2022 |website=[[Politico]]}}</ref> and Russian troops invaded from the north, east, and south.<ref>
{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Mongilio |first1=Heather |last2=LaGrone |first2=Sam |date=27 February 2022 |title=Russian Navy Launches Amphibious Assault on Ukraine; Naval Infantry 30 Miles West of Mariupol |url=https://news.usni.org/2022/02/25/russian-navy-launches-amphibious-assault-on-ukraine |website=USNI News}}
* {{#invoke:cite|journal|last1=Corten |first1=Olivier |last2=Koutroulis |first2=Vaios |date=22 May 2023 |title=The 2022 Russian intervention in Ukraine: What is its impact on the interpretation of jus contra bellum? |journal=[[Leiden Journal of International Law]] |volume=36 |issue=4 |pages=997–1022 |doi=10.1017/S0922156523000249 |s2cid=258857526 |doi-access=free |hdl=2013/ULB-DIPOT:oai:dipot.ulb.ac.be:2013/360991 |hdl-access=free}}
* {{#invoke:cite|web|last=Coakley |first=Amanda |date=24 February 2022 |title=Lukashenko Is Letting Putin Use Belarus to Attack Ukraine |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/02/24/russia-ukraine-war-belarus-chernobyl-lukashenko/ |access-date=25 September 2023 |website=Foreign Policy}}</ref> Russia did not officially declare war.<ref name="University of Hull 2023 u063">{{#invoke:cite|web|date=23 February 2023 |title=Putin |url=https://www.hull.ac.uk/work-with-us/more/media-centre/news/2023/putins-state-of-the-nation-why-russia-hasnt-officially-declared-war-and-what-difference-it-would-make |access-date=14 November 2023 |website=[[University of Hull]]}}</ref> Immediately after the invasion began, Zelenskyy declared [[martial law in Ukraine]] in a video speech.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Lock |first=Samantha |date=24 February 2022 |title=Russia-Ukraine crisis live news: Putin has launched 'full-scale invasion', says Ukrainian foreign minister – latest updates |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2022/feb/23/ukraine-russia-news-crisis-latest-live-updates-putin-biden-europe-sanctions-russian-invasion-border-troops |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220224054309/https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2022/feb/23/ukraine-russia-news-crisis-latest-live-updates-putin-biden-europe-sanctions-russian-invasion-border-troops |archive-date=24 February 2022 |access-date=24 February 2022 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}
* {{#invoke:cite|news|date=24 February 2022 |title=Ukraine president declares martial law following Russia invasion |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ukraine-russia-martial-law-zelensky-b2022093.html |access-date=11 September 2023 |work=[[The Independent]]}}</ref> The same evening, he ordered a [[2022 Ukrainian mobilization|general mobilisation]] of all Ukrainian males aged 18–60,<ref name="Interfax 2022">{{#invoke:cite|web|date=25 February 2022 |title=Zelensky signs decree declaring general mobilization |url=https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/801769.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225113724/https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/801769.html |archive-date=25 February 2022 |access-date=25 February 2022 |website=[[Interfax-Ukraine]]}}</ref> prohibiting them from leaving the country.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Gilbert |first=Asha C. |date=25 February 2022 |title=Reports: Ukraine bans all male citizens ages 18 to 60 from leaving the country |work=[[USA Today]] |url=https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2022/02/25/russia-invasion-ukraine-bans-male-citizens-leaving/6936471001/ |access-date=26 March 2022}}</ref>

[[File:Bucha_main_street,_2022-04-06_(0804).jpg|thumb|Wreckage of a [[Battle of Bucha|destroyed]] Russian column on 27 February in [[Bucha, Kyiv Oblast|Bucha]]]]

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), comprising the [[41st Combined Arms Army]] and the [[2nd Guards Combined Arms Army]],<ref name="TR"/> one deployed towards Kharkiv; and a fourth, southern front originating in Crimea and Russia's [[Rostov Oblast|Rostov oblast]] with an eastern axis towards Odesa and a western area of operations toward [[Mariupol]].<ref name="TR">{{#invoke:cite|journal|last=Bielieskov |first=Mykola |date=21 September 2021 |title=The Russian and Ukrainian Spring 2021 War Scare |url=https://www.csis.org/analysis/russian-and-ukrainian-spring-2021-war-scare |access-date=25 November 2021 |website=[[Center for Strategic & International Studies]]}}</ref> The invasion was unexpectedly met by fierce resistance.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Kube |first1=Courtney |last2=Siemaszko |first2=Corky |date=26 February 2022 |title=Russian offensive unexpectedly slowed by fierce Ukrainian resistance |work=[[NBC News]] |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/russian-offensive-unexpectedly-slowed-fierce-ukrainian-resistance-rcna17703 |access-date=16 September 2022}}</ref> Russia failed to take Kyiv and was repulsed in the battles of [[Battle of Irpin|Irpin]], [[Battle of Hostomel|Hostomel]], and [[Battle of Bucha|Bucha]]. The Russians tried to encircle the capital, but defenders under [[Oleksandr Syrskyi]] held their ground, using [[FGM-148 Javelin|anti-tank]] and [[FIM-92 Stinger|anti-aircraft missiles]] to thin Russian supply lines and stall the offensive.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=7 April 2022 |title=Russia's failure to take down Kyiv was a defeat for the ages |work=[[Associated Press]] News |url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-battle-for-kyiv-dc559574ce9f6683668fa221af2d5340 |access-date=16 September 2022}}
* {{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Sonne |first1=Paul |last2=Khurshudyan |first2=Isabelle |date=24 August 2022 |title=Battle for Kyiv: Ukrainian valor, Russian blunders combined to save the capital |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/interactive/2022/kyiv-battle-ukraine-survival/ |access-date=27 September 2022}}</ref>

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.<ref name="TR"/><ref name="news.yahoo.com">{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Epstein |first1=Jake |last2=Haltiwanger |first2=John |date=6 April 2022 |title=NATO chief says Putin still wants to control all of Ukraine, despite repositioning forces to the eastern Donbas region |url=https://news.yahoo.com/nato-chief-says-putin-still-144125043.html |access-date=7 April 2022}}</ref> On 26 April, delegates from the US and 40 allied nations [[2022 Ramstein Air Base meeting|met]] in Germany to discuss [[Ukraine Defense Contact Group|a coalition]] to provide economic support, military supplies, and refitting to Ukraine.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Vandiver |first1=John |last2=Svan |first2=Jennifer H. |date=26 April 2022 |title=US and allies gather at Ramstein to discuss how to help Ukraine defeat Russia's 'unjust invasion' |work=[[Stars and Stripes (newspaper)|Stars and Stripes]] |location=Ramstein Air Base, Germany |url=https://www.stripes.com/theaters/europe/2022-04-26/austin-ukraine-ramstein-air-base-russia-5804405.html |url-status=live |url-access=limited |access-date=9 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504174341/https://www.stripes.com/theaters/europe/2022-04-26/austin-ukraine-ramstein-air-base-russia-5804405.html |archive-date=4 May 2022}}</ref>

=== Initial invasion (24 February&nbsp;– 7 April 2022) ===
{{Main|2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine}}

[[File:2022 Russian Invasion of Ukraine Phase 1 animated.gif|thumb|upright=1.7|Animated map of the Russian invasion from 24 February to 7 April 2022]]
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.<ref>{{cite news |title=Russian forces launch full-scale invasion of Ukraine |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/2/24/putin-orders-military-operations-in-eastern-ukraine-as-un-meets |work=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]] |date=24 February 2022|access-date=15 December 2025}}</ref>

==== Kyiv and northern front ====
{{Further|Capture of Chernobyl|Battle of Kyiv (2022)|Bucha massacre|Siege of Chernihiv|Battle of Sumy|Russian occupation of Sumy Oblast}}
[[File:An-225 Mriya after Russian invasion of Ukraine (3to4).jpg|right|thumb|The [[Antonov An-225 Mriya]], the largest aircraft ever built, was destroyed during the [[Battle of Antonov Airport]].]]
<!-- Paragraph 1 for high level overview and summary of main events in February. -->
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.<ref name="wapo20220320">{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Sly |first1=Liz |last2=Lamothe |first2=Dan |date=20 March 2022 |title=Russia's war for Ukraine could be headed toward stalemate |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/03/20/russia-ukraine-military-offensive/ |url-status=live |access-date=6 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320093229/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/03/20/russia-ukraine-military-offensive/ |archive-date=20 March 2022 |issn=0190-8286 |oclc=2269358}}
* {{#invoke:cite|web|last=Roblin |first=Sebastien |date=27 February 2022 |title=At Vasylkiv, Ukrainians Repel Russia's Paratroopers and Commandos in Frantic Night Battle |url=https://www.19fortyfive.com/2022/02/at-vasylkiv-ukrainians-repel-russias-paratroopers-and-commandos-in-frantic-night-battle/ |access-date=5 March 2022 |website=19FortyFive}}
* {{#invoke:cite|news|last=Boot |first=Max |date=21 March 2022 |title=Opinion: Against all odds, Ukrainians are winning. Russia's initial offensive has failed. |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/03/21/ukraine-is-winning-war-russia-offensive-putin/ |access-date=24 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Kemp |first=Richard |date=22 March 2022 |title=The Russian army has run out of time |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2022/03/22/russian-army-has-run-time/ |access-date=24 March 2022}}</ref> 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]].<ref name="CriticalThreats"/><ref name="ISW 4MAR">{{#invoke:cite|web|last1=Kagan |first1=Frederick |last2=Barros |first2=George |last3=Stepanenko |first3=Kateryna |date=4 March 2022 |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, March 4 |url=https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-4 |access-date=5 March 2022 |website=[[Institute for the Study of War]]}}</ref> Russian forces advanced into [[Chernihiv Oblast]] on 24 February, besieging its administrative capital within [[siege of Chernihiv|four days of fighting]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Ward |first=Alexander |date=25 February 2022 |title='Almost not possible' for Ukraine to win without West's help, Ukraine official says |work=[[Politico]] |url=https://politi.co/3LWSyC5 |url-status=live |access-date=26 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226175146/https://www.politico.com/newsletters/national-security-daily/2022/02/25/almost-not-possible-for-ukraine-to-win-00011969 |archive-date=26 February 2022}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=26 February 2022 |title=Ukraine war news from February 25: Kyiv suburbs breached, Russian forces face resistance, Zelensky warns Russia will 'storm' capital |work=[[Financial Times]] |url=https://www.ft.com/content/93554a7e-f974-49fc-85ba-c111d253b002 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=26 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226151541/https://www.ft.com/content/93554a7e-f974-49fc-85ba-c111d253b002 |archive-date=26 February 2022 |issn=0307-1766}}</ref> Travelling along highways, Russian forces reached [[Brovary]], an eastern suburb of Kyiv, on 4 March.<ref name="ISW 4MAR"/><ref name="CriticalThreats"/>

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]]."<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|date=25 February 2022 |title=Live updates: Zelenskyy declines US offer to evacuate Kyiv |url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-business-europe-united-nations-kyiv-6ccba0905f1871992b93712d3585f548 |access-date=28 February 2023 |publisher=[[AP News]]}}</ref> By early March, Russian advances along the west side of the Dnipro were limited by Ukrainian defences.<ref name="ISW 4MAR"/><ref name="CriticalThreats"/> As of 5 March, [[Russian Kyiv Convoy|a Russian convoy]], reportedly {{Convert|64|km|mi}} long, had made little progress toward Kyiv.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Stern |first=David L. |date=5 March 2022 |title=After temporary cease-fires break down, Putin threatens Ukraine's government |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/03/05/ukraine-military-battlefield-kyiv-mariupol/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=6 March 2022}}</ref> Advances from Chernihiv largely halted as a [[siege of Chernihiv|siege began there]]. Russian forces advanced on Kyiv from the northwest, capturing [[Bucha, Kyiv Oblast|Bucha]], [[Hostomel]] and [[Vorzel]] by 5 March.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Lister |first1=Tim |last2=Pennington |first2=Josh |last3=McGee |first3=Luke |last4=Gigova |first4=Radina |name-list-style=and |date=7 March 2022 |title='A family died ... in front of my eyes': Civilians killed as Russian military strike hits evacuation route in Kyiv suburb |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2022/03/06/europe/ukraine-russia-invasion-sunday-intl-hnk/index.html |access-date=9 March 2022 |publisher=[[CNN]]}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=7 March 2022 |title=Bucha, Vorzel, Hostomel under enemy's control, situation remains critical |agency=[[Ukrinform]] |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3422872-bucha-vorzel-hostomel-under-enemys-control-situation-remains-critical.html |access-date=9 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Lister |first1=Tim |last2=Voitovych |first2=Olga |date=8 March 2022 |title="Irpin can't be bought, Irpin fights": Mayor refuses Russian demand to surrender |publisher=[[CNN]] |url=https://edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-putin-news-03-08-22#h_e09d49888fcb2a07b8f1a95d6f2b0faa |access-date=8 March 2022}}</ref> By 11 March, the lengthy convoy had largely dispersed and taken cover.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Murphy |first=Paul |date=11 March 2022 |title=Stalled 40-mile-long Russian convoy near Kyiv now largely dispersed, satellite images show |publisher=[[CNN]] |url=https://edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-putin-news-03-11-22#h_1b9599f9b4bf3b17110242404180ffec |access-date=11 March 2022}}</ref> On 16 March, Ukrainian forces began a counter-offensive.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Cullison |first1=Alan |last2=Coles |first2=Isabel |last3=Trofimov |first3=Yaroslav |date=16 March 2022 |title=Ukraine Mounts Counteroffensive to Drive Russians Back From Kyiv, Key Cities |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraine-mounts-counteroffensive-to-drive-russians-back-from-kyiv-key-cities-11647428858 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=16 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220316111106/https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraine-mounts-counteroffensive-to-drive-russians-back-from-kyiv-key-cities-11647428858 |archive-date=16 March 2022}}</ref> Unable to achieve a quick victory in Kyiv, Russian forces switched to [[Indiscriminate attack|indiscriminate bombing]] and [[siege]] warfare.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Gordon |first1=Michael R. |last2=Leary |first2=Alex |date=21 March 2022 |title=The Wall Street Journal News Exclusive: Russia, Failing to Achieve Early Victory in Ukraine, Is Seen Shifting to 'Plan B' |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/russia-failing-to-achieve-early-victory-in-ukraine-is-seen-shifting-to-plan-b-11647824374 |access-date=24 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Ali |first1=Idrees |last2=Stewart |first2=Phil |date=27 February 2022 |title=Russian forces appear to shift to siege warfare in Ukraine- U.S. official |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/putins-nuclear-move-could-make-situation-much-much-more-dangerous-us-official-2022-02-27/ |access-date=24 March 2022}}</ref>

On 25 March, a Ukrainian counteroffensive retook towns to the east and west of Kyiv.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|date=23 March 2022 |title=Ukraine war: Ukrainian fightback gains ground west of Kyiv |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60847188 |access-date=29 March 2022 |website=[[BBC News]]}}</ref><ref name="Guardian220325">{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Walters |first1=Joanna |last2=Bartholomew |first2=Jem |last3=Belam |first3=Martin |last4=Lock |first4=Samantha |date=25 March 2022 |title=Russia-Ukraine war latest: Ukraine takes back towns east of Kyiv; hopes of Mariupol humanitarian corridor grow – live |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2022/mar/25/ukraine-war-latest-news-sanctions-a-little-late-zelenskiy-tells-european-council-biden-to-visit-poland-live |access-date=25 March 2022}}</ref> 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 the Russian invasion of Ukraine|war crimes]] in [[Bucha massacre|Bucha]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Ukraine war latest: Ukraine says it has retaken entire Kyiv region |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-europe-60949706 |access-date=2 April 2022}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Rudenko |first=Olga |date=2 April 2022 |title=Hundreds of murdered civilians discovered as Russians withdraw from towns near Kyiv (Graphic Images) |url=https://kyivindependent.com/national/hundreds-of-murdered-civilians-discovered-as-russians-withdraw-from-towns-near-kyiv-graphic-images/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403022637/https://kyivindependent.com/national/hundreds-of-murdered-civilians-discovered-as-russians-withdraw-from-towns-near-kyiv-graphic-images/ |archive-date=3 April 2022 |access-date=3 April 2022 |website=[[The Kyiv Independent]]}}</ref> [[The Pentagon]] confirmed on 6 April that the Russian army had left [[Chernihiv Oblast]];<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Demirjian |first1=Karoun |last2=Lamothe |first2=Dan |name-list-style=and |date=6 April 2022 |title=Pentagon: Russia has fully withdrawn from Kyiv, Chernihiv |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2022/04/06/pentagon-russia-withdraws-kyiv-chernihiv/ |access-date=7 April 2022 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref> local authorities said Russian troops had left Sumy Oblast.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Kalatur |first=Anastasiya |date=8 April 2022 |title=Sumy region liberated from Russian troops |work=[[Ukrainska Pravda]] |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2022/04/8/7338013/ |access-date=15 April 2022}}</ref> 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.<ref name="news.yahoo.com"/>

==== Southern and eastern front ====
{{Further|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|Russian occupation of Kharkiv Oblast}}
[[File:Myronosytska 1 after Russian shelling on 2 March 2022 (05).jpg|thumb|upright=.7|School of Economics of the [[National University of Kharkiv]] after Russian bombardment, 2 March 2022]]
On 24 February, Russian attack groups moved northwest from Crimea, capturing bridges over the [[Dnieper]]<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Ukraine loses control over crossing to Kherson |agency=[[Ukrinform]] |date=25 February 2022 |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3412906-ukraine-loses-control-over-crossing-to-kherson.html |url-status=live |access-date=25 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225155031/https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3412906-ukraine-loses-control-over-crossing-to-kherson.html |archive-date=25 February 2022}}</ref> and the [[North Crimean Canal]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Marrow |first1=Alexander |last2=Ostroukh |first2=Andrey |date=24 February 2022 |editor-last=Balmforth |editor-first=Tom |title=Russian forces unblock water flow for canal to annexed Crimea, Moscow says |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russian-forces-unblock-water-flow-canal-annexed-crimea-moscow-says-2022-02-24/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220301/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russian-forces-unblock-water-flow-canal-annexed-crimea-moscow-says-2022-02-24/ |archive-date=1 March 2022 |work=[[Reuters]]}}</ref> On 1 March, [[Battle of Kherson|Kherson]] was the first major city to fall to Russia.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Schwirtz |first1=Michael |last2=Pérez-Peña |first2=Richard |name-list-style=and |date=2 March 2022 |title=First Ukraine City Falls as Russia Strikes More Civilian Targets |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/02/world/europe/kherson-ukraine-russia.html |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303000108/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/02/world/europe/kherson-ukraine-russia.html |archive-date=3 March 2022 |access-date=3 March 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> Russian troops moved on [[Mykolaiv]] and [[Battle of Mykolaiv|attacked it]] but were repelled.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=4 March 2022 |title=Ukrainian defenders repelled attack on Mykolaiv city, fighting continues on outskirts |agency=[[Ukrinform]] |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3420336-ukrainian-defenders-repelled-attack-on-mykolaiv-city-fighting-continues-on-outskirts.html |access-date=4 March 2022}}</ref> Russian forces approached the [[Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant]]<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=26 February 2022 |title=Ukraine official says Russian troops approaching Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant |work=[[National Post]] |url=https://nationalpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/ukraine-official-says-russian-troops-approaching-zaporizhzhia-nuclear-plant |access-date=28 February 2022}}</ref> and [[Battle of Enerhodar|besieged Enerhodar]]. By 25 February, Russian units had begun advancing on [[Mariupol]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Battle ongoing near Mariupol – mayor |agency=[[Ukrinform]] |date=25 February 2022 |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3412585-battle-ongoing-near-mariupol-mayor.html |url-status=live |access-date=25 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225110919/https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3412585-battle-ongoing-near-mariupol-mayor.html |archive-date=25 February 2022}}
* {{#invoke:cite|web|last=Richárd |first=Jabronka |date=25 February 2022 |title=Így áll most a háború Ukrajnában: több nagyvárosban harcok dúlnak, megtámadtak egy orosz repülőteret |trans-title=This is how the war in Ukraine is now: fighting is raging in several big cities, a Russian airport has been attacked |url=https://ellenszel.hu/2022/02/25/igy-all-most-a-haboru-ukrajnaban-tobb-nagyvarosban-harcok-dulnak-megtamadtak-egy-orosz-repuloteret/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226011052/https://ellenszel.hu/2022/02/25/igy-all-most-a-haboru-ukrajnaban-tobb-nagyvarosban-harcok-dulnak-megtamadtak-egy-orosz-repuloteret/ |archive-date=26 February 2022 |access-date=25 February 2022 |website=[[Ellenszél]] |language=hu}}</ref> Russian forces captured [[Berdiansk]].<ref name="CNN-Berdyansk">{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Lister |first1=Tim |last2=Alkhaldi |first2=Celine |last3=Voitovych |first3=Olga |last4=Mezzofiore |first4=Gianluca |date=24 March 2022 |title=Ukrainians claim to have destroyed large Russian warship in Berdyansk |publisher=[[CNN]] |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/24/europe/ukraine-russian-warship-berdyansk-intl/index.html |access-date=24 March 2022}}</ref><ref name="unianberdyansk">{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Polyakovskaya |first=Tanya |date=26 February 2022 |title=Rossiyskaya voyennaya tekhnika zanyala territoriyu byvshego aeroporta "Berdyansk" – gorsovet |script-title=ru:Российская военная техника заняла территорию бывшего аэропорта "Бердянск" – горсовет |language=ru |trans-title=Russian military equipment occupied the territory of the former airport "Berdyansk" – city council |publisher=Berdyansk City Council |agency=[[Ukrainian Independent Information Agency]] |url=https://www.unian.net/war/rossiyskaya-voennaya-tehnika-zanyala-territoriyu-byvshego-aeroporta-berdyansk-gorsovet-novosti-donbassa-11719648.html |url-status=live |access-date=26 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226195413/https://www.unian.net/war/rossiyskaya-voennaya-tehnika-zanyala-territoriyu-byvshego-aeroporta-berdyansk-gorsovet-novosti-donbassa-11719648.html |archive-date=26 February 2022}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite tweet||number=1497605510887100420 |user=nexta_tv |title=The tanks of the occupiers have circled #Berdyansk and are heading towards #Mariupol. https://t.co/jwsIoORzH0 |author=NEXTA |author-link=Nexta |date=26 February 2022 |access-date=28 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227062037/https://twitter.com/nexta_tv/status/1497605510887100420 |archive-date=27 February 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> On 1 March, [[Denis Pushilin]], head of the DPR, announced that it had surrounded [[Volnovakha]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Lister |first1=Tim |last2=Voitovych |first2=Olya |date=1 March 2022 |title=Russian-backed separatist leader expects his forces to surround Mariupol on Tuesday |publisher=[[CNN]] |url=https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-putin-news-03-01-22/h_0e3d20b474aa007bb1e4acc0d0fba984 |access-date=1 March 2022}}</ref>

By 18 March, Mariupol was encircled and fighting had reached the city centre, hampering efforts to evacuate civilians.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Boffey |first1=Daniel |last2=Tondo |first2=Lorenzo |name-list-style=and |date=18 March 2022 |title=Fighting reaches central Mariupol as shelling hinders rescue attempts |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/18/russia-missile-lviv-mariupol-ukraine-war |access-date=21 March 2022 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> The Russians demanded surrender, and the Ukrainians refused.<ref name="CBC-2022-03-21">{{#invoke:cite|news|date=21 March 2022 |title=Ukraine refuses to surrender Mariupol as scope of human toll remains unclear |publisher=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]] |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/ukraine-russia-war-march21-1.6391709 |access-date=21 March 2022}}</ref> On 27 March, Ukrainian deputy prime minister [[Olha Stefanishyna]] said that "more than 85 percent of the whole town is destroyed".<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Scully |first=Rachel |date=27 March 2022 |title=Ukrainian official: Mariupol 'simply does not exist anymore' |work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/sunday-talk-shows/599917-ukrainian-official-mariupol-simply-does-not-exist-anymore |access-date=29 March 2022}}</ref> Russia refused safe passage into Mariupol to 50 buses sent by the UN to evacuate civilians.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=30 March 2022 |title=Ukraine War: Putin demands Mariupol surrender to end shelling |work=[[BBC News]] |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60926470 |access-date=31 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=1 April 2022 |title=Ukraine: No 'plan B' for evacuation of shattered Mariupol, say humanitarians, as Friday attempt fails |work=[[UN News]] |url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/04/1115282 |access-date=3 April 2022}}</ref>

In the east, Russian troops [[Battle of Kharkiv (2022)|attempted to capture Kharkiv]]<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Losh |first=Jack |date=25 February 2022 |title=Kharkiv's Resistance to Russia's War Has Already Begun |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/02/24/russia-ukraine-war-resistance-kharkiv/ |magazine=[[Foreign Policy]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225044904/https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/02/24/russia-ukraine-war-resistance-kharkiv/ |archive-date=25 February 2022 |access-date=27 February 2022}}
* {{#invoke:cite|web|title=Rosiya atakuvala ukrayinsʹki mista: de vidbulysya boyi |script-title=uk:Росія атакувала українські міста: де відбулися бої |trans-title=Russia attacked Ukrainian cities: where the fighting took place |url=https://24tv.ua/rosiya-atakuvala-ukrayinski-mista-de-vidbulisya-boyi_n1877474 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225025620/https://24tv.ua/rosiya-atakuvala-ukrayinski-mista-de-vidbulisya-boyi_n1877474 |archive-date=25 February 2022 |access-date=27 February 2022 |website=[[Channel 24 (Ukraine)|Channel 24]] |language=uk}}</ref> and met strong Ukrainian resistance. [[Izium]] was captured by Russian forces on 1 April<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/04/07/izyum-eastern-ukraine-razing-towns/ |title=In eastern Ukraine, Russian military razing towns to take them over |first=Dalton |last=Bennett |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=7 April 2022 |access-date=21 February 2022}}</ref> after a monthlong battle.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jul/18/russian-human-rights-abuses-took-place-in-izium-ukraine-investigation-finds |title=Militia units commanded by Russia named in Izium abuse investigation |first1=Nick |last1=Hopkins |first2=Jamie |last2=Wilson |first3=Luke |last3=Harding |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=18 July 2023 |access-date=21 February 2024}}</ref> On 25 March, the Russian defence ministry said it would seek to occupy major cities in eastern Ukraine.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=25 March 2022 |title=Russia says first phase of Ukraine operation mostly complete, focus now on Donbass |publisher=[[Yahoo! Finance]] |agency=[[Reuters]] |location=London |editor-last=Trevelyan |editor-first=Mark |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/russia-says-first-phase-ukraine-134534902.html |access-date=28 March 2022}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=3 April 2022 |title=Missiles hit Ukraine refinery, 'critical infrastructure' near Odessa |work=[[The Straits Times]] |publisher=[[SPH Media Trust]] |agency=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/world/missiles-hit-critical-infrastructure-at-ukrainian-port-of-odessa |access-date=6 April 2022}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=11 March 2022 |title=Video analysis reveals Russian attack on Ukrainian nuclear plant veered near disaster |publisher=[[NPR]] |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/03/11/1085427380/ukraine-nuclear-power-plant-zaporizhzhia |access-date=1 April 2022}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Picheta |first=Rob |date=6 April 2022 |title=The fight for Sloviansk may be 'the next pivotal battle' of Russia's war in Ukraine |publisher=[[CNN]] |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/04/06/europe/sloviansk-ukraine-russia-military-significance-intl/index.html |access-date=15 April 2022}}</ref>

=== Southeastern front (8 April&nbsp;– 5 September 2022) ===
{{for timeline|Timeline of the Russian invasion of Ukraine (8 April – 28 August 2022)}}
[[File:2022 Russian Invasion of Ukraine Phase 2 animated.gif|thumb|upright=1.7|Animated map of the Russian invasion from 7 April to 5 September 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.<ref name="RNZM"/> On 19 April Russia launched an "eastern assault" across a {{Convert|300|mi|km|adj=on|order=flip}} front extending from Kharkiv to Donetsk and Luhansk, with simultaneous missile attacks again directed at Kyiv and Lviv.<ref name="nytimes.com">{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Arraf |first1=Jane |last2=Nechepurenko |first2=Ivan |last3=Landler |first3=Mark |date=19 April 2022 |title=Ukraine Says Russia Begins Assault in the East After Raining Missiles Nationwide |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/18/world/europe/ukraine-russia-missiles-lviv-donbas.html |access-date=20 April 2022 }}</ref> An anonymous US defence official called the Russian offensive "minimal at best".<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=2 May 2022 |title=US official briefs on Russia's war effort |publisher=[[BBC]] |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-europe-61295448}}</ref>

By 30 May, disparities between Russian and Ukrainian artillery were apparent, with Ukrainian artillery vastly outgunned.<ref name="Sabbagh">{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Sabbagh |first=Dan |date=31 May 2022 |title=Biden will not supply Ukraine with long-range rockets that can hit Russia |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/may/30/biden-will-not-supply-ukraine-with-long-range-rockets-that-can-hit-russia}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/russia-bombards-kyiv-vows-strike-123428279.html?fr=yhssrp_catchall |title=Russia bombards Kyiv, vows to strike new targets if U.S. Sends long-range missiles to Ukraine |work=CBS News Videos via Yahoo News |date=6 June 2022 }}</ref> On 10 June, deputy head of the [[Security Service of Ukraine|SBU]] Vadym Skibitsky stated that during the Sievierodonetsk campaign, the frontlines were where the future of the invasion would be decided:<ref name="iktgvs">{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Koshiw |first=Isobel |date=10 June 2022 |title=We're almost out of ammunition and relying on western arms, says Ukraine |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jun/10/were-almost-out-of-ammunition-and-relying-on-western-arms-says-ukraine }}</ref>

{{Blockquote |text=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 or 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 agree 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."<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Alper |first1=Alexandra |last2=Freifeld |first2=Karen |last3=Landay |first3=Jonathan |date=29 June 2022 |title=Putin still wants most of Ukraine, war outlook grim -U.S. intelligence chief |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/putin-still-wants-most-ukraine-war-outlook-grim-us-intelligence-chief-2022-06-29/ |access-date=2 July 2022 |work=[[Reuters]] }}</ref>

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 [[Aleksandr Lapin (general)|Aleksander Lapin]], and "South", commanded by Army General [[Sergey Surovikin]].<ref name="Novaya">{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Cherkasov |first=Alexander |date=26 June 2022 |script-title=uk:Люди, стрелявшие в наших отцов |language=uk |agency=[[Novaya Gazeta]] |url=https://novayagazeta.eu/articles/2022/06/26/liudi-streliavshie-v-nashikh-ottsov }}</ref> 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 Oblast|Zaporizhzhia]] and [[Kherson Oblast|Kherson]] oblasts.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=20 July 2022 |title=Ukraine News: Kyiv Intensifies Attacks on Russian Positions in South |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/07/20/world/ukraine-russia-war#russia-ukraine-territory-expansion-lavrov }}</ref> [[Russian Ground Forces]] started recruiting volunteer battalions to create a new [[3rd Army Corps (Russia)|3rd Army Corps]] within the Western Military District, with a planned strength of 16,000–60,000 personnel.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=29 July 2022 |title=Russia prepares to deploy new strike force against Ukraine – Ukrainian Intelligence |work=[[Ukrainska Pravda]] |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2022/07/29/7360811/ |access-date=27 August 2022 }}
* {{#invoke:cite|news|date=6 August 2022 |title=Russia forming 3rd Army Corps for war in Ukraine – ISW |agency=[[Ukrinform]] |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3544612-russia-forming-3rd-army-corps-for-war-in-ukraine-isw.html |access-date=27 August 2022 }}</ref> Its units were deployed to the front around the September [[2022 Kharkiv counteroffensive|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.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Axe|first=David|date=15 September 2022|title=The Russians Spent Months Forming A New Army Corps. It Lasted Days in Ukraine.|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2022/09/15/the-russians-spent-months-forming-a-new-army-corps-it-lasted-days-in-ukraine/|magazine=[[Forbes]]|access-date=29 November 2025|url-access=limited}}
*{{#invoke:cite|web|title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, September 18|url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-september-18|access-date=3 October 2022|website=Institute for the Study of War|date=19 September 2022}}</ref>

==== Fall of Mariupol ====
{{further|Siege of Mariupol}}
On 13 April, Russian forces intensified their attack on the [[Azovstal Iron and Steel Works]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Harding |first1=Luke |last2=Koshiw |first2=Isobel |last3=McKernan |first3=Bethan |date=13 April 2022 |title=Last marines defending Mariupol 'running out of ammunition' |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/apr/11/ukraine-last-marines-defending-mariupol-running-out-of-ammunition |access-date=15 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250415205024/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/apr/11/ukraine-last-marines-defending-mariupol-running-out-of-ammunition |archive-date=15 April 2025}}</ref> Ukrainian prime minister Denys Shmyhal said Ukrainian soldiers had vowed to ignore the ultimatum to surrender and fight to the last.<ref name="RNZM">{{#invoke:cite|news|date=17 April 2022 |title=Ukraine war: Mariupol defenders will fight to the end |work=[[Radio New Zealand]] News |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/world/465439/ukraine-war-mariupol-defenders-will-fight-to-the-end-pm }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Schreck |first=Adam |date=21 April 2022 |title=Putin claims victory in Mariupol despite steel-mill holdouts |work=[[Associated Press]] News |url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-kyiv-business-europe-f0e1cd893715eda1e6bef696d9c47db3 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250604113211/https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-kyiv-business-europe-f0e1cd893715eda1e6bef696d9c47db3 |archive-date=4 June 2025}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Prentice |first=Alessandra |date=28 April 2022 |title=U.N. chief Guterres calls for escape route from Mariupol 'apocalypse' |work=[[Reuters]] |publication-place=Kyiv |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/un-doing-all-it-can-make-evacuation-ukrainian-steel-plant-possible-guterres-2022-04-28/ |url-status=live |access-date=24 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220429105525/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/un-doing-all-it-can-make-evacuation-ukrainian-steel-plant-possible-guterres-2022-04-28/ |archive-date=29 April 2022}}</ref> On 30 April, Russian troops allowed civilians to leave under UN protection.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=1 May 2022 |title=Civilians flee Azovstal bunkers in evacuation led by U.N. |first1=Tom |last1=Balmforth |first2=Max |last2=Hunder |first3=Alessandra |last3=Prentice |work=[[Yahoo News]] |agency=[[Reuters]] |url=https://news.yahoo.com/more-civilians-evacuated-around-azovstal-111331097.html |access-date=2 September 2024 }}</ref> By 3 May, after allowing 100 civilians to depart, Russian troops renewed their bombardment.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=3 May 2022 |title=Russia shells Mariupol plant with civilians still reported trapped |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-says-it-started-shelling-azovstal-plant-after-ukraine-took-advantage-2022-05-03/ |url-status=live |access-date=9 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220506145656/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-says-it-started-shelling-azovstal-plant-after-ukraine-took-advantage-2022-05-03/ |archive-date=6 May 2022}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Vasilyeva |first=Nataliya |date=5 May 2022 |title=Ukraine loses contact with Azovstal defenders as Russian troops storm steelworks |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2022/05/04/besieged-azovstal-steelwork-bunker-survivors-stave-hunger-frying/ }}</ref> On 7 May, all civilians were evacuated.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=7 May 2022 |title='All' civilians have been evacuated from a besieged steel plant in Mariupol |work=[[NPR]] |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/05/07/1097413091/steel-plant-mariupol-azovstal-civilians-evacuated |access-date=2 June 2022 }}</ref>

[[File:Наслідки обстрілу дитячої лікарні та пологового будинку в Маріуполі, 9 березня 2022 року.jpg|thumb|A children's hospital in [[Mariupol]] after [[9 March 2022 Mariupol Hospital 3 attack|a Russian airstrike]]]]
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.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Koshiw |first=Isobel |date=8 May 2022 |title='Surrender is not an option': Azov battalion commander in plea for help to escape Mariupol |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/may/08/surrender-is-not-an-option-azov-battalion-commander-in-plea-for-help-to-escape-mariupol |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250511201140/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/may/08/surrender-is-not-an-option-azov-battalion-commander-in-plea-for-help-to-escape-mariupol |archive-date=11 May 2025}}</ref> Reports of dissent on 8 May indicated that the commander of the [[Ukrainian Marine Corps|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.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Petrenko |first=Roman |date=8 May 2022 |title=Mariupol defenders tell how the commander of marines fled the city |work=[[Yahoo News]] |agency=[[Ukrayinska Pravda]] |url=https://news.yahoo.com/mariupol-defenders-tell-commander-marines-120905296.html |access-date=2 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250304015517/https://www.yahoo.com/news/mariupol-defenders-tell-commander-marines-120905296.html |archive-date=4 March 2025}}</ref> [[Illia Samoilenko (officer)|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."<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Krasnolutska |first1=Daryna |last2=Champion |first2=Marc |date=8 May 2022 |title=Mariupol Steel Plant's 'Dead Men' Defenders Call for Rescue Plan |work=[[Bloomberg News]] |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-05-08/mariupol-steel-plant-s-dead-men-defenders-call-for-rescue-plan |access-date=2 June 2022 }}</ref>

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.<ref name="nytimes16">{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Hopkins |first1=Valerie |last2=Nechepurenko |first2=Ivan |last3=Santora |first3=Marc |name-list-style=and |date=16 May 2022 |title=Ukrainian authorities declare an end to the combat mission in Mariupol after weeks of Russian siege. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/16/world/europe/azovstal-mariupol.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220516233043/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/16/world/europe/azovstal-mariupol.html |archive-date=16 May 2022 |access-date=16 May 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]] |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Harrison |first1=Virginia |last2=agencies |name-list-style=and |date=17 May 2022 |title=Hundreds of Ukrainian troops evacuated from Mariupol steelworks after 82-day assault: Blow for Ukraine as removal of soldiers, many wounded, suggests city that became symbol of resistance has fallen into Russian hands |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/may/16/hundreds-of-ukrainian-troops-evacuated-from-azovstal-steelworks-after-82-day-assault |access-date=17 May 2022 |work=[[The Guardian]] }}</ref> 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..."<ref name="reutersmay17">{{#invoke:cite|news|date=17 May 2022 |title=Azovstal siege ends as hundreds of Ukrainian fighters surrender |work=[[Reuters]] |publication-place=Mariupol |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-backed-separatists-say-256-ukrainian-fighters-surrendered-azovstal-2022-05-17/ |url-status=live |url-access=limited |access-date=17 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220517104718/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-backed-separatists-say-256-ukrainian-fighters-surrendered-azovstal-2022-05-17/ |archive-date=17 May 2022}}</ref>

==== Fall of Sievierodonetsk and Lysychansk ====
{{Main|Battle of Donbas (2022)}}

{{Further|Battle of Popasna|Kramatorsk railway station attack|Battle of Sievierodonetsk (2022)|Battle of Lysychansk}}
[[File:Окупанти вдарили «Точкою-У» по залізничному вокзалу Краматорська 03 (3to4).jpg|thumb|Aftermath of the [[Kramatorsk railway station attack]] by Russia, which killed 63 civilians]]
On 11 April, Zelenskyy said Ukraine expected a new Russian offensive in the east.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=11 April 2022 |title=Tens of thousands feared dead in Mariupol |work=[[NBC News]] |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/live-blog/russia-ukraine-war-live-updates-zelenskyy-warns-offensive-east-rcna23809 |access-date=15 April 2022 }}</ref> American officials said Russia had withdrawn or been repulsed elsewhere and was preparing a retraction, resupply, and redeployment to the southeastern Ukraine front.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Bacon |first1=John |last2=Mansfield |first2=Erin |last3=Wadington |first3=Katie |last4=Santucci |first4=Jeanine |last5=Vanden Brook |first5=Tom |last6=Tebor |first6=Celina |name-list-style=and |date=10 April 2022 |title=EU to consider Ukraine membership in weeks; Russia warns of 'direct military confrontation' with US: April 10 recap |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2022/04/10/ukraine-russia-invasion-live-updates/9528799002/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220410073616/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2022/04/10/ukraine-russia-invasion-live-updates/9528799002/ |archive-date=10 April 2022 |access-date=28 May 2022 |work=[[USA Today]]}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Telford |first1=Taylor |last2=Timsit |first2=Annabelle |last3=Pietsch |first3=Bryan |last4=Duplain |first4=Julian |date=10 April 2022 |title=As war enters bloody new phase, Ukraine again calls for more weapons |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2022/04/10/ukraine-russia-war-zelensky/ |url-status=live |url-access=limited |access-date=23 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220411003557/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2022/04/10/ukraine-russia-war-zelensky/ |archive-date=11 April 2022}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Saric |first=Ivana |date=10 April 2022 |title=Satellite images: Russian military convoy heads south toward Donbas region |work=[[Axios (website)|Axios]] |url=https://www.axios.com/photos-russia-convoy-donbas-3af345c4-c292-4181-abe5-80abbc303b8b.html }}</ref>

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.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=18 April 2022 |title=Ukraine says 'Battle of Donbas' has begun, Russia pushing in east |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/ukraine-says-battle-donbas-has-begun-russia-pushing-east-2022-04-18/ |url-status=live |url-access=limited |access-date=23 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220418205729/https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/ukraine-says-battle-donbas-has-begun-russia-pushing-east-2022-04-18/ |archive-date=18 April 2022}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Murphy |first=Matt |date=23 May 2022 |title=Ukraine war: Russian assault on key Donbas city intensifies |publisher=[[BBC]] |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61547756 |url-status=live |access-date=26 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220523080849/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61547756 |archive-date=23 May 2022}}</ref> On 23 May, Russian forces were reported entering [[Lyman, Ukraine|Lyman]], capturing the city by 26 May.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=25 May 2022 |title=Russia seeking to capture Ukraine's Lyman: separatist leader |work=[[The Australian]] |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/world/russia-seeking-to-capture-ukraines-lyman-separatist-leader/news-story/501ab08e54c87aeb68daa4e4dbe6e4ef |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=15 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220526032910/https://www.theaustralian.com.au/world/russia-seeking-to-capture-ukraines-lyman-separatist-leader/news-story/501ab08e54c87aeb68daa4e4dbe6e4ef |archive-date=26 May 2022 |issn=1038-8761}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|date=26 May 2022 |title=Russian forces have 'upper hand' in Donbas fighting, Ukrainian officials say |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/may/26/ukraine-burying-civilians-mass-graves-russia-advances |website=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> Ukrainian forces were reported leaving [[Sviatohirsk]].<ref name="RID Rivista Italiana Difesa">{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Markic |first=Igor |title=Ucraina, Belgorod sotto attacco, ma i Russi stringono la morsa su Severodonetsk |trans-title=Ukraine, Belgorod under attack, but the Russians tighten their grip on Severodonetsk |url=https://www.rid.it/shownews/4938 |access-date=22 May 2022 |website=[[Rivista Italiana Difesa]] |publisher=[[Coop Giornalistica La Riviera]] |language=it }}</ref> By 24 May, Russian forces captured [[Svitlodarsk]].<ref name="Svitlodarsk24522">{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Donetsk region: occupying forces capture Svitlodarsk |work=[[Yahoo News]] |date=24 May 2022 |url=https://news.yahoo.com/donetsk-region-occupying-forces-capture-133430234.html |access-date=24 May 2022}}</ref> On 30 May, Reuters reported that Russian troops had breached the outskirts of Sievierodonetsk.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=30 May 2022 |title=Russian troops enter outskirts of key city in eastern Ukraine's Donbas |work=[[NBC News]] |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/ukraine-russia-battle-east-zelenskyy-visits-front-rcna31076 |access-date=2 June 2022 }}</ref> By 2 June, ''The Washington Post'' reported that Sievierodonetsk was on the brink of capitulation with over 80% in the hands of Russian troops.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Thebault |first1=Reis |last2=Iati |first2=Marisa |last3=Timsit |first3=Annabelle |last4=Suliman |first4=Adela |last5=Pietsch |first5=Bryan |last6=Pannett |first6=Rachel |date=2 June 2022 |title=Russia, U.S. trade barbs over weapons pledge; Severodonetsk on the brink |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/06/01/russia-ukraine-war-news-live-updates/ |access-date=5 June 2022 }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=4 June 2022 |title=Russia 'suffering huge casualties' as troops retreat: Ukraine |work=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]] |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/6/4/fighting-rages-in-two-key-eastern-ukrainian-cities |access-date=5 June 2022 }}</ref>

[[File:Движение техники по понтонной переправе через Северский Донец 001.png|thumb|Russian tanks at a pontoon crossing over the Seversky Donets River, 9 April 2022]]

Ukrainian authorities estimated that 800 Ukrainian civilians were besieged at the [[Azot (Sievierodonetsk)|Azot]] chemical factory in Sievierodonetsk; Russian-backed separatists said it sheltered 300–400 soldiers.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=11 June 2022 |title=Ukraine war: Chemical plant hit as fighting rages in Severodonetsk |work=[[BBC News]] |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61773356 |access-date=9 August 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Sauer |first=Pjotr |date=12 June 2022 |title=Fighting in eastern Ukraine rages as Sievierodonetsk chemical plant hit |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jun/12/fighting-eastern-ukraine-rages-sievierodonetsk-chemical-plant-hit |access-date=9 August 2022 }}</ref> With the Ukrainian defences of Sievierodonetsk faltering, Russian troops began intensifying their attack on the neighbouring city of [[Lysychansk]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Gibbons-Neff |first1=Thomas |last2=Stevis-Gridneff |first2=Matina |date=13 June 2022 |title=Ukraine Allies Ponder Options As Cities Falter |edition=Late, New York |volume=59,453 |page=1 |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://static01.nyt.com/images/2022/06/13/nytfrontpage/scan.pdf }}</ref> On 20 June it was reported that Russian troops continued to tighten their grip on Sievierodonetsk by capturing surrounding villages.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Hughes |first=Clyde |date=20 June 2022 |title=Russian troops capture key suburb near Severodonetsk after months of battle |work=[[United Press International|UPI]] |url=https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2022/06/20/Ukraine-Severdonetsk-suburb-capture-Kharkiv/6931655722874/ }}</ref>

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.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Berlinger |first1=Joshua |last2=Lister |first2=Tim |date=24 June 2022 |title=Ukraine to withdraw from key city of Severodonetsk as Russia's advance grinds on |work=[[CNN]] |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/24/europe/severodonetsk-luhansk-russia-ukraine-intl/index.html }}</ref> On 3 July, the Russian defence ministry claimed Lysychansk had been captured and occupied.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=3 July 2022 |title=Russia claims capture of pivotal city in eastern Ukraine |work=[[CBS News]] |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ukraine-russia-war-lysychansk-luhansk-province-donbas/ }}</ref> 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]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Jones |first=Sam |date=4 July 2022 |title=Putin declares victory in Luhansk after fall of Lysychansk |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jul/04/ukraine-donetsk-next-russian-target-after-capture-of-luhansk-says-governor }}</ref>

==== Zaporizhzhia front ====
{{See also|Russian occupation of Zaporizhzhia Oblast}}
[[File:Shopping center in Kremenchuk after Russian shelling, 2022-06-27 (1) frame 0246.jpg|thumb|French president Emmanuel Macron called the Russian [[Kremenchuk shopping mall attack|missile attack on a shopping mall in Kremenchuk]] on 28 June 2022 a "war crime"]]
Russian forces continued to fire missiles and drop bombs on [[Dnipro]] and [[Zaporizhzhia]].<ref name="nytimes.com"/> Russian missiles destroyed the [[Dnipro International Airport]] on 10 April.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=10 April 2022 |title=Russian rockets destroy airport in Ukrainian city of Dnipro |work=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]] |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/4/10/russian-rockets-destroy-airport-in-ukrainian-city-of-dnipro |access-date=1 October 2023 }}</ref> On 2 May, the UN, reportedly with the cooperation of Russian troops, evacuated about 100 survivors from the siege of Mariupol.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Rai |first1=Arpan |last2=Bancroft |first2=Holly |date=2 May 2022 |title=Mariupol steelworks shelling resumes as doctors describe dire bunker conditions |publisher=[[Yahoo! News]] |url=https://news.yahoo.com/ukraine-news-live-un-conducting-025522315.html |access-date=2 June 2022 }}</ref> 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]]."<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Lewis |first=Simon |date=28 June 2022 |title=Dozens missing after Russian missile strike on mall kills 18 |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/rescuers-dig-survivors-russian-missile-strike-ukrainian-shopping-mall-2022-06-28/ }}</ref>

The president of the 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.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=7 July 2022 |title=Russia accused of shelling from Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in Ukraine |url=https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20220716-live-russia-accused-of-shelling-from-zaporizhzhia-nuclear-plant |access-date=13 August 2022 |work=[[France 24]] }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-yet-grant-access-zaporizhzhia-nuclear-reactor-roofs-iaea-2023-07-20/ |title=Russia yet to grant access to Zaporizhzhia nuclear reactor roofs, IAEA says |last1=Murphy |first1=Francois |date=20 July 2023 |work=[[Reuters]] |access-date=24 September 2023 }}
* {{#invoke:cite|news|last=Mureephy |first=Matt |date=19 August 2022 |title=Ukraine war: Russia to allow inspectors at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant – Putin |work=[[BBC News]] |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-62613013 |access-date=1 October 2023 }}</ref>
[[File:Missile strike on a humanitarian convoy in Zaporizhzhia, 2022-09-30 (02).jpg|thumb|Ukrainian civilians killed by the Russian Armed Forces during the [[Zaporizhzhia civilian convoy attack]] in September 2022]]

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]].<ref name="nei-20220822">{{#invoke:cite|news|date=22 August 2022 |title=Growing concern about Zaporizhzya NPP sparks international diplomacy |publisher=Nuclear Engineering International |url=https://www.neimagazine.com/news/newsgrowing-concern-about-zaporizhzya-npp-sparks-international-diplomacy-9944011 |access-date=1 October 2023}}</ref> [[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.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=20 August 2022 |title=UK, US Set Ultimatum Against Russia Due To Provocations At Zaporizhzhia NPP |publisher=[[Charter 97]] |url=https://charter97.org/en/news/2022/8/20/512116/ }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=The West considers applying NATO's Article 5 in response to possible accident at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant |work=[[Ukrainska Pravda]] |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2022/08/20/7364116/ |access-date=20 August 2022 }}</ref>

=== Russian annexations and occupation losses (6 September&nbsp;– 11 November 2022) ===
{{for timeline|Timeline of the Russian invasion of Ukraine (29 August – 11 November 2022)}}
[[File:2022 Russian Invasion of Ukraine Phase 3 animated (cropped).gif|thumb|upright=1.5|Animated map of the Russian invasion from 5 September 2022 to 11 November 2022]]
On 6 September 2022, Ukrainian forces launched a surprise [[2022 Kharkiv counteroffensive|counteroffensive in the Kharkiv region]], beginning near [[Balakliia]], led by [[Oleksandr Syrskyi|General Syrskyi]].<ref name="RO">{{Cite report |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Russian%20Operations%20Assessment%20September%206.pdf |title=Russian offensive campaign assessment, September 6 |last1=Hird |first1=Karolina |last2=Barros |first2=George |date=6 September 2022 |publisher=Institute for the Study of War |last3=Philipson |first3=Layne |last4=Kagan |first4=Frederick W. |access-date=10 September 2022 }}
* {{#invoke:cite|web|title=Oleksandr Syrskyi, o coronel-general que está a orquestrar a contraofensiva na Ucrânia |trans-title=Oleksandr Syrskyi, the Colonel General who is orchestrating the counter-offensive in Ukraine |url=https://observador.pt/2022/09/11/oleksandr-syrskyi-o-coronel-general-que-esta-a-orquestrar-a-contraofensiva-na-ucrania |website=[[Observador]] |language=pt }}
* {{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Sauer |first1=Pjotr |last2=Koshiw |first2=Isobel |date=8 September 2022 |title=Ukraine launches surprise counterattack in Kharkiv region |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/global/2022/sep/07/ukraine-launches-surprise-counterattack-kharkiv-region-russia |access-date=10 September 2022 |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Troianovski |first=Anton |date=12 September 2022 |title=Retreat Dents Image of a Might Putin |edition=Late, New York |volume=59544 |page=1 |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://static01.nyt.com/images/2022/09/12/nytfrontpage/scan.pdf |archive-url= |archive-date=}}
* {{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Kramer |first1=Andrew |last2=Higgins |first2=Andrew |date=12 September 2022 |title=An Emboldened Kyiv Wants More Arms |edition=Late, New York |volume=59544 |page=1 |work=[[The New York Times]] |location=Kharkiv, Ukraine |url=https://static01.nyt.com/images/2022/09/12/nytfrontpage/scan.pdf |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref> On 21 September 2022, Vladimir Putin announced [[2022 Russian mobilization|a partial mobilisation]], and Minister of Defence [[Sergei Shoigu]] said 300,000 reservists would be called.<ref name="France 24 2022">{{#invoke:cite|web|date=21 September 2022 |title=Putin calls up reservists, warns Russia will use 'all means' for defence |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220921-putin-calls-up-reservists-warns-russia-will-use-all-means-for-defence |access-date=21 September 2022 |website=[[France 24]] |archive-url= |archive-date=}}
* {{#invoke:cite|news|last=Scott-Geddes |first=Arthur |date=21 September 2022 |title=Putin calls up 300,000 reservists in 'partial mobilisation' |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2022/09/21/putin-calls-300000-reservists-partial-mobilisation/ |access-date=21 September 2022 |archive-url= |archive-date=}}
* {{#invoke:cite|news|date=21 September 2022 |title=Russia calls up 300,000 reservists, says 6,000 soldiers killed in Ukraine |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russias-partial-mobilisation-will-see-300000-drafted-defence-minister-2022-09-21/ |access-date=21 September 2022 |work=[[Reuters]] |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref> 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."<ref name="gazetapl 2022 pd">{{#invoke:cite|web|date=21 September 2022 |title=Ukraina odpowiada na orędzie Władimira Putina: Rosjanie dostali "prezent" |trans-title=Ukraine responds to Vladimir Putin's message: Russians got a "gift" |url=https://wiadomosci.gazeta.pl/wiadomosci/7,114881,28935390,ukraina-odpowiada-na-oredzie-wladimira-putina-rosjanie-dostali.html |access-date=21 September 2022 |website=gazetapl |language=pl |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref> British Foreign Office Minister Gillian Keegan called the situation an "escalation,"<ref name="Ellyatt 2022 esc">{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Ellyatt |first=Holly |date=21 September 2022 |title=Russia's Putin announces partial military mobilization |work=[[CNBC]] |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/09/21/russia-ukraine-war-putin-announces-partial-military-mobilization.html |access-date=21 September 2022 |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref> while former Mongolian president [[Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj]] accused Russia of using Russian Mongols as "cannon fodder."<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=4 October 2022 |title='We're minor losses': Russia's mobilisation targets ethnic minorities |work=[[Financial Times]] |url=https://www.ft.com/content/ae06c532-e1ff-488a-b77c-cb93422d3dd7 |access-date=3 November 2022 |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref>

==== Russian annexation of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia Oblasts ====
{{Main|Russian annexation of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia Oblasts}}

In late September 2022, Russian-installed officials in Ukraine organised [[2022 annexation referendums in Russian-occupied Ukraine|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 election]]s, official results showed overwhelming majorities in favour of annexation.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=27 September 2022 |title=Ukraine war: Russia claims win in occupied Ukraine 'sham' referendums |work=[[BBC News]] |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-63052207 |access-date=29 September 2022 |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref>

On 30 September 2022, Vladimir Putin announced the annexation of Ukraine's Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Berlinger |first1=Joshua |last2=Chernova |first2=Anna |last3=Lister |first3=Tim |date=30 September 2022 |title=Putin announces annexation of Ukrainian regions in defiance of international law |work=[[CNN]] |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/09/30/europe/putin-russia-ukraine-annexation-intl/index.html |access-date=26 January 2023 |archive-url= |archive-date=}}
* {{#invoke:cite|web|last=Speri |first=Alice |date=8 October 2022 |title=Will Putin Face Prosecution for the Crime of Aggression in Ukraine? |url=https://theintercept.com/2022/10/08/russia-putin-ukraine-war-crimes-accountability/ |access-date=26 January 2023 |website=[[The Intercept]] }}</ref> Ukraine, the United States, the European Union, and the United Nations all denounced the annexation as illegal.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Trevelyan |first=Mark |date=30 September 2022 |title=Putin declares annexation of Ukrainian lands in Kremlin ceremony |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/putin-declare-annexation-ukrainian-lands-major-escalation-war-2022-09-29/ |access-date=30 September 2022 |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref>

==== Kherson counteroffensive ====
{{Main|2022 Kherson counteroffensive|Liberation of Kherson}}

[[File:Volodymyr Zelenskyy took part in hoisting the State Flag of Ukraine in liberated Kherson. (52502054830).jpg|thumb|Ukrainian president [[Volodymyr Zelenskyy]], participating in reraising the Ukrainian flag in Kherson a few days after [[Liberation of Kherson|the city's liberation]]]]
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.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Ukraine's south is on the line as a major counteroffensive appears to be underway |work=[[NBC News]] |date=29 August 2022 |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/ukraine-counteroffensive-russian-held-south-kherson-rcna45265 |access-date=31 August 2022 |archive-url= |archive-date=}}
* {{#invoke:cite|news|date=29 August 2022 |title=Ukraine says long-anticipated southern offensive has begun |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/ukraine-says-long-anticipated-southern-offensive-has-begun-2022-08-29/ |access-date=29 August 2022 |work=[[Reuters]] |archive-url= |archive-date=}}
* {{#invoke:cite|web|date=29 August 2022 |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, August 29 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-august-29 |access-date=31 August 2022 |website=[[Institute for the Study of War]] |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref> By 4 September, Ukrainian forces had retaken the village of [[Vysokopillia]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Asami |first=Terajima |date=4 September 2022 |title=Ukraine war latest: Ukraine liberates villages in south and east |work=[[The Kyiv Independent]] |url=https://kyivindependent.com/national/ukraine-war-latest-ukraine-liberates-villages-in-south-and-east |access-date=5 September 2022 |archive-url= |archive-date=}}
* {{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Gadzo |first1=Mersiha |last2=Ibrahim |first2=Arwa |date=4 September 2022 |title=Ukraine-Russia live 4 September 2022 |work=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]] |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2022/9/4/ukraine-russia-live-updates-berlin-agrees-e65bn-inflation-relief |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref> Ukrainian attacks also continued along the southern frontline, though reports about territorial changes were largely unverifiable.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Dammers |first=Tobias |date=10 September 2022 |title=Gegenoffensive in Südukraine. "Je schneller vorbei, desto besser" |trans-title=Counteroffensive in southern Ukraine. "The quicker it's over, the better" |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/europa/mykolajiw-krieg-101.html |access-date=10 September 2022 |work=[[Tagesschau (German TV programme)|Tagesschau]] |language=de |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref>

In October, Ukrainian forces pushed further south towards the city of Kherson, taking control of {{convert|1170|km2|sqmi}}, with fighting extending to [[Dudchany]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Peter |first1=Laurence |last2=Murphy |first2=Matt |date=4 October 2022 |title=Ukraine makes breakthrough in south against Russia Published |work=[[BBC News]] |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-63126156 |access-date=10 October 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=9 October 2022 |title=Ukraine says it recaptured 1,200 sq km of Kherson region in ongoing counteroffensive |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-says-it-recaptured-1200-sq-km-kherson-region-ongoing-counteroffensive-2022-10-09/ |access-date=10 October 2022 |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref> On 9 November, defence minister Shoigu ordered Russian forces to leave part of Kherson Oblast, including the city of [[Liberation of Kherson|Kherson]], and move to the eastern bank of the Dnieper.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Beaumont |first1=Peter |last2=Sauer |first2=Pjotr |date=9 November 2022 |title=Russian troops ordered to retreat from Kherson in face of Ukrainian advance |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/nov/09/russians-destroy-dnieper-bridges-to-slow-ukraine-advance-on-kherson |access-date=10 November 2022 |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Kramer |first1=Andrew E. |last2=Santora |first2=Marc |date=11 November 2022 |title=Russia-Ukraine War: Zelensky Hails 'Historic Day' as Ukrainian Troops Enter Kherson |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/11/11/world/ukraine-war-news-russia-updates |access-date=11 November 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref>

==== Kharkiv counteroffensive ====
{{Main|2022 Kharkiv counteroffensive}}

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Ukrainian forces launched another surprise counteroffensive on 6 September in the Kharkiv Oblast near [[Balakliia]] led by General Syrskyi.<ref name="RO"/> By 7 September, Ukrainian forces had advanced {{convert|20|km}} into Russian-occupied territory and claimed to have recaptured approximately {{convert|400|km2}}. Russian commentators said this was likely due to the relocation of Russian forces to Kherson.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last1=Hird |first1=Karolina |last2=Mappes |first2=Grace |last3=Barros |first3=George |last4=Philipson |first4=Layne |last5=Clark |first5=Mason |date=7 September 2022 |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, September 7 |url=https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-september-7 |access-date=10 September 2022 |publisher=Institute for the Study of War |via=understandingwar.org }}</ref> On 8 September, Ukrainian forces captured Balakliia and advanced to within {{convert|15|km}} of [[Kupiansk]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last1=Stepanenko |first1=Kateryna |last2=Mappes |first2=Grace |last3=Barros |first3=George |last4=Philipson |first4=Layne |last5=Clark |first5=Mason |date=8 September 2022 |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, September 8 |url=https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-september-8 |access-date=10 September 2022 |publisher=[[Institute for the Study of War]] |via=understandingwar.org }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Santora |first1=Marc |last2=Nechepurenko |first2=Ivan |last3=Hernandez |first3=Marco |date=9 September 2022 |title=Ukraine Attacks Russia Along Northern Front, Swiftly Making Gains |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/09/world/europe/ukraine-russia-kharkiv.html |access-date=10 September 2022 }}</ref>

On 9 September, the [[Russian occupation of Kharkiv Oblast|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,<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Osterman |first=Cynthia |date=9 September 2022 |title=Ukraine retakes settlements in Kharkiv advance – Russian-installed official |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/civilians-being-evacuated-russian-held-kharkiv-region-towns-russian-installed-2022-09-09/ |access-date=10 September 2022}}</ref> while Russian reserve units were sent to the area by both road and helicopter.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Lister |first1=Tim |last2=Kesaieva |first2=Julia |last3=Pennington |first3=Josh |date=9 September 2022 |title=Russia sends reinforcements to Kharkiv as Ukrainians advance |work=[[CNN]] |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2022/09/10/europe/ukraine-kharkiv-advances-intl-hnk/index.html |access-date=10 September 2022 }}</ref> On the morning of 10 September, photos emerged claiming to depict Ukrainian troops raising the Ukrainian flag in the centre of Kupiansk,<ref name="kupiansk-euromaidanpress">{{#invoke:cite|news|date=10 September 2022 |title=Ukrainian troops liberate Kupiansk, Kharkiv oblast – media |work=[[Euromaidan Press]] |url=https://euromaidanpress.com/2022/09/10/ukrainian-troops-liberate-kupiansk-kharkiv-oblast-media/ |access-date=10 September 2022 }}</ref> and the ISW said Ukrainian forces had captured approximately {{convert|2500|sqkm}}.<ref name="isw20220909">{{#invoke:cite|web|title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, September 9 |url=https://www.iswresearch.org/2022/09/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment_10.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220910102731/https://www.iswresearch.org/2022/09/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment_10.html |archive-date=10 September 2022 |access-date=10 September 2022}}</ref><!-- published online c. 0600 hrs on 10 Sep Ukraine time zone --> 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.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Hunder |first1=Max |last2=Hnidyi |first2=Vitalii |date=10 September 2022 |title=Russian grip on northeast Ukraine collapses after Kyiv severs supply line |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-troops-raise-flag-over-railway-hub-advance-threatens-turn-into-rout-2022-09-10/ |access-date=10 September 2022 }}</ref>

By 15 September, an assessment by the [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|UK Ministry of Defence]] confirmed that Russia had either lost or withdrawn from almost all of their positions west of the [[Oskil (river)|Oskil River]], abandoning high-value military assets.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=15 September 2022 |title=Ukraine continues to consolidate its control in Kharkiv area, UK says |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-continues-consolidate-its-control-kharkiv-area-uk-says-2022-09-15/ }}</ref> The offensive continued pushing east, and by 1 October, Ukrainian forces [[second battle of Lyman|had liberated Lyman]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Balmforth |first1=Tom |last2=Polityuk |first2=Pavel |date=1 October 2022 |title=Ukraine troops say they take key town, Putin ally mulls possible nuclear response |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-encircles-russian-forces-around-lyman-stronghold-military-2022-10-01/ |access-date=10 October 2022 }}</ref>

=== Winter stalemate, attrition campaign and first military surge (12 November 2022&nbsp;– 7 June 2023) ===
{{further|Russian winter offensive in Ukraine (2022–2023)|Battle of Vuhledar|Battle of Marinka (2022–2023)|Timeline of the Russian invasion of Ukraine (12 November 2022 – 7 June 2023)}}
After the end of the twin Ukrainian counteroffensives, the fighting was semi-deadlocked during the winter,<ref name="TakesStock">{{#invoke:cite|news|date=8 April 2023 |title=Russia takes stock after winter offensive fails to deliver gains |url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/04/08/russia-takes-stock-after-winter-offensive-fails-to-deliver-gains-a80762 |work=[[The Moscow Times]] |agency=[[Agence France-Press|AFP]] | access-date=26 April 2023}}</ref> with heavy casualties but reduced motion of the frontline.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Trofimov |first=Yaroslav |title=Ukraine, Russia Gird for a Decisive Spring Campaign After a Bloody Winter |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |date=13 March 2023 |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraine-russia-gird-for-a-decisive-spring-campaign-after-a-bloody-winter-a3beef16 |access-date=26 April 2023 }}</ref> Russia launched a self-proclaimed winter offensive in eastern Ukraine, but the campaign stalled with limited gains.<ref name="TakesStock"/><ref name="aground">{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Holder |first1=Josh |last2=Hernandez |first2=Marco |date=6 April 2023 |title=How Russia's Offensive Ran Aground |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/04/06/world/europe/russia-offensive-maps.html |access-date=26 April 2023 |issn=0362-4331 }}</ref> Analysts blamed the failure on Russia's lack of "trained men" and ammunition supplies, among other problems.<ref name=TakesStock/><ref name="aground"/> [[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."<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Galeotti |first=Mark |author-link=Mark Galeotti |date=24 May 2023 |title=Ukraine's next move: can Putin be outsmarted? |url=https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/ukraines-next-move-can-putin-be-outsmarted/ |access-date=25 May 2023 |website=[[The Spectator]] }}</ref>

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.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Schwirtz |first1=Michael |last2=Addario |first2=Lynsey |date=6 February 2023 |title=Outnumbered and Worn Out, Ukrainians in East Brace for Russian Assault |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/06/world/europe/ukraine-russia-offensive.html |access-date=25 March 2023 |issn=0362-4331 }}</ref> The Russian private military company [[Wagner Group]] took on greater prominence,<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=13 January 2023 |title=The success of Russia's mercenary group says something about Putin's war |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/wagner-mercenary-group-russia-putin-b2261201.html |work=[[The Independent]] |access-date=26 April 2023 }}</ref> leading "grinding advances" in [[Battle of Bakhmut|Bakhmut]] with tens of thousands of recruits from [[Penal military unit|prison battalions]] taking part in "near suicidal" assaults on Ukrainian positions.<ref name="aground"/>

In late January 2023, fighting intensified in southern Zaporizhzhia Oblast, with both sides suffering heavy casualties.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Grove |first=Thomas |date=24 January 2023 |title=Fighting Intensifies in Southern Ukraine |page=A6 |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]}}
^{{#invoke:cite|news|date=22 January 2023 |title=Ukraine Latest: Russia Makes 'Incremental Gains' Around Bakhmut |work=Bloomberg.com |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-01-22/ukraine-latest-russia-makes-incremental-gains-around-bakhmut |access-date=17 June 2023 }}</ref> In nearby southern parts of Donetsk Oblast, an [[Battle of Vuhledar|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."<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Santora |first=Marc |date=16 February 2023 |title=Moscow's Military Capabilities Are in Question After Failed Battle for Ukrainian City |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/15/world/europe/russia-military-vuhledar-ukraine.html |access-date=26 April 2023 |issn=0362-4331 }}</ref><ref name="TankKramer">{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Kramer |first=Andrew E. |date=1 March 2023 |title=How Russia Lost an Epic Tank Battle, Repeating Earlier Mistakes |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/01/world/europe/ukraine-russia-tanks.html |access-date=26 April 2023 |issn=0362-4331 }}</ref>

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".<ref name="Sauer 2023 a785">{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Sauer |first=Pjotr |title=Russian soldiers say commanders used 'barrier troops' to stop them retreating |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=27 March 2023 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/27/russian-soldiers-commanders-used-barrier-troops-stop-retreating |access-date=25 January 2024 }}</ref> In particular, [[Storm-Z]] units have been reported to be "kept in line" by barrier troops.<ref name="Axe 2024 h250">{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Axe |first=David |title='They're Just Choosing Where To Die.' When Russia's Poorly-Trained Stormtroopers Retreat, Russian Barrier Troops Gun Them Down. |website=[[Forbes]] |date=18 January 2024 |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2024/01/18/theyre-just-choosing-where-to-die-when-russias-poorly-trained-stormtroopers-retreat-russian-barrier-troops-gun-them-down/?sh=1b63e48d75a0 |access-date=25 January 2024 }}</ref>

=== Battle of Bakhmut ===
{{Main|Battle of Bakhmut}}

[[File:Bakhmut during the battle (2023-04-05), frame 16531.jpg|thumb|right|View of western Bakhmut during the battle, 5 April 2023]]
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 [[Battle of Soledar|took control of Soledar]] on 16 January 2023.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=15 January 2023 |title=Ukrainian military source: Russia controls administrative territory of Soledar |url=https://kyivindependent.com/news-feed/ukrainian-military-source |access-date=16 January 2023 |work=[[The Kyiv Independent]] }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|title=Ukraine confirms that Russia has taken control of disputed town of Soledar|url=https://www.news360.es/usa/2023/01/16/ukraine-confirms-that-russia-has-taken-control-of-disputed-town-of-soledar/|access-date=29 November 2025|website=news360.es |date=16 January 2023 }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=1 February 2023 |title=Russia Pours Fighters Into Battle for Bakhmut |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/01/31/world/russia-ukraine-news |url-access=subscription }}
* {{#invoke:cite|news|last=Guerin |first=Orla |date=8 February 2023 |title=Ukraine war: Borrowed time for Bakhmut as Russians close in |work=[[BBC News]] |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64523029 |access-date=10 February 2023 }}
* {{#invoke:cite|news|last=Engel |first=Richard |date=9 February 2023 |title=Ukraine's defiant city struggles to hold out as Russia pushes for a bloody victory |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/bakhmut-ukraine-surrounded-russia-offensive-rcna69651 |access-date=10 February 2023 |work=[[CBS News]] }}</ref>

On 4 March, Bakhmut's deputy mayor told news services that there was street fighting in the city.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=4 March 2023 |title=Bakhmut: Fighting in the street but Russia not in control – deputy mayor |publisher=[[BBC News]] |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64846666 |access-date=4 March 2023}}
* {{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Badshah |first1=Nadeem |last2=Clinton |first2=Jane |last3=Gerts |first3=Mark |date=4 March 2023 |title=As it happened: street fighting in Bakhmut as battle rages for control of the city |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2023/mar/04/russia-ukraine-war-live-ukraine-fortifying-bakhmut-as-russian-encirclement-looms |access-date=4 March 2023 |issn=0261-3077 }}</ref> 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,<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/kremlin%E2%80%99s-pyrrhic-victory-bakhmut-retrospective-battle-bakhmut |date=24 May 2023 |work=[[Institute for the Study of War]] |title=The Kremlin's Pyrrhic Victory in Bakhmut: A Retrospective on the Battle for Bakhmut |first=Kateryna |last=Stepanenko }}</ref> following which Wagner forces retreated from the city and were replaced by regular Russian units.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last1=Bailey |first1=Riley |last2=Mappes |first2=Grace |last3=Hird |first3=Karolina |last4=Kagan |first4=Frederick W. |name-list-style=and |date=3 June 2023 |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, June 3, 2023 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-june-3-2023 |work=Institute for the Study of War }}</ref>

===2023 Ukrainian counteroffensives (8 June 2023 – 1 December 2023)===
{{For-multi|a chronological guide|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|2023 Ukrainian counteroffensive}}
[[File:Flood in Kherson Oblast, 2023-06-10.jpg|thumb|Flood in [[Kherson Oblast]] on 10 June 2023 caused by the [[destruction of the Kakhovka Dam]] 4 days earlier]]

In June 2023, Ukrainian forces launched counteroffensives on multiple fronts.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Russia-Ukraine war updates: Russian missiles strike Zelenskyy's hometown |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/live-updates/russia-ukraine-war/?id=99926452 |work=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |first1=Tom Soufi |last1=Burridge |first2=Oleksiy |last2=Pshemyskiy |first3=Yulia |last3=Drozd |first4=Nadine |last4=El-Bawab |first5=Kevin |last5=Shalvey |date=27 June 2023 |access-date=7 June 2025 }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=8 June 2023 |title=Ukraine launches counteroffensive against Russia|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/ukraine-launches-counteroffensive-russia-zaporizhzhia-rcna88332 |first1=Raf |last1=Sanchez |first2=Anastasiia |last2=Parafeniuk |first3=Bill |last3=O'Reilly |work=[[NBC News]] }}</ref> Efforts faced stiff Russian resistance.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=9 June 2023|title=Ukraine counteroffensive ramps up, but meets stiff Russian resistance|first=Jamie|last=Dettmer|work=[[Politico]]|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/ukraine-russia-war-counteroffensive-ramps-up-but-meets-stiff-russian-resistance/}}</ref> By 12 June, Ukraine reported advances and liberated settlements.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Balmforth |first=Tom |title=Ukraine claims new gains in early phase of counteroffensive |work=[[Reuters]] |date=12 June 2023 |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-reports-small-gains-early-stages-counteroffensive-2023-06-12/ }}</ref> On 24 June, the [[Wagner Group rebellion]] briefly unfolded before a peace deal.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=25 June 2023 |title=Russian mercenaries' short-lived revolt could have long-term consequences for Putin |work=[[Associated Press]] |url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-wagner-prigozhin-belarus-deal-6782455ddc4234816bfb2d7d388d8a9a }}</ref> In late June, Ukraine reclaimed territory in Donbas and made gains in Kherson Oblast.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Ukraine in maps: Tracking the war with Russia |work=[[BBC News]] |date=1 July 2023 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60506682 }}</ref>
Russia heavily mined areas, making Ukraine the most mined country in the world.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=13 August 2023 |first=Daniel|last=Boffey|title=Ukraine desperate for help clearing mines, says defence minister |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/13/ukraine-desperate-for-help-clearing-mines-says-defence-minister |work=[[The Guardian]] }}</ref> Following Russia leaving the Black Sea Grain Initiative, Ukraine targeted Russian ships.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=13 September 2023 |title=Ukraine hits Russian naval targets in major Crimea attack |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-launches-missile-attack-sevastopol-crimea-russian-installed-governor-2023-09-13/ }}</ref> In September 2023, Russian strikes hit Ukrainian energy facilities,<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=21 September 2023 |title=As Russia hits Ukraine's energy facilities with a deadly missile attack, fear mounts over nuclear plants |work=[[CBS News]] }}</ref> while Ukraine struck the Sevastopol naval base.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Stern |first=David L. |date=22 September 2023 |title=Ukraine hits headquarters of Russia's Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |issn=0190-8286 }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Kilner |first=James |date=23 September 2023 |title=Russian commanders killed in Storm Shadow missile strike |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |issn=0307-1235}}</ref>

In October–December 2023, Ukrainian forces crossed the [[Dnipro River]] despite heavy losses.<ref name="failedTelegraph"/> In December 2023, media outlets described the Ukrainian counteroffensive as having failed to regain significant territory or meet its objectives.<ref name="failedTelegraph">{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Page |first=Lewis |date=12 November 2023 |title=Ukraine's counteroffensive has failed — here's why |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2023/11/12/ukraine-counteroffensive-failed-russia-putin-war-plan/ |access-date=12 December 2023 |work=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]] }}</ref><ref name="failedNYT">{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Cooper |first1=Helene |last2=Schmitt |first2=Eric |date=11 December 2023 |title=U.S. and Ukraine Seek New Strategy for War's Next Phase |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/11/us/politics/us-ukraine-war-strategy.html |access-date=12 December 2023 |work=[[The New York Times]] }}</ref><ref name="failedWPT1">{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Jaffe |first1=Greg |last2=Ryan |first2=Missy |date=4 December 2023 |title=Ukraine's counteroffensive stalls amid Russian defenses |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/12/04/ukraine-counteroffensive-stalled-russia-war-defenses/ |access-date=12 December 2023 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] }}</ref>

===Battle of Avdiivka===
{{main|Battle of Avdiivka (2023–2024)}}

{{For-multi|a chronological guide|Timeline of the Russian invasion of Ukraine (1 December 2023 – 31 March 2024)|}}
[[File:Avdiivka after Russian bombing, 2023-05-23 (01).jpg|thumb|Residential buildings damaged by Russian strikes in [[Avdiivka]] during [[Battle of Avdiivka (2023–2024)|fighting over the city]] in May 2023]]
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, and water being reported as well as poor command.<ref name="Cole 2023 r879">{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Cole |first=Brendan |title=Mutiny is brewing in the Russian army |work=[[Newsweek]] |date=26 October 2023 |url=https://www.newsweek.com/russia-ukraine-avdiivka-astra-army-1838107 |access-date=27 October 2023}}</ref> By November, British intelligence said that recent weeks had "likely seen some of the highest Russian casualty rates of the war so far."<ref name="France 24 2023 a290">{{#invoke:cite|web|title=Russia ramping up attacks in eastern Ukrainian town of Avdiivka |website=France 24 |date=29 November 2023 |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20231129-russia-ramping-up-attacks-in-donetsk-region |access-date=12 December 2023}}</ref>

On 17 February 2024, [[Battle of Avdiivka (2023–2024)|Russia captured Avdiivka]], a longtime stronghold for Ukraine that had been described as a "gateway" to nearby [[Donetsk]].<ref name="Avdiivka_BBCW">{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Lukiv |first=Jaroslav |date=17 February 2024 |title=Avdiivka: Ukraine troops leaving embattled eastern town |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-68323366 |access-date=17 February 2024 |website=BBC News |archive-date=17 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240217011141/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-68323366 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Avdiivka_TGW">{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Walker |first=Shaun |date=17 February 2024 |title=Ukrainian forces withdraw from Avdiivka to avoid encirclement, army chief says |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/feb/16/ukrainian-forces-give-up-some-positions-in-avdiivka-as-russian-assault-continues |access-date=17 February 2024 |work=[[The Guardian]] |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=17 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240217014538/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/feb/16/ukrainian-forces-give-up-some-positions-in-avdiivka-as-russian-assault-continues |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=17Feb24NYT>{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/17/world/europe/ukraine-avdiivka-withdraw-despair.html |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=17 February 2024 |title=Avdiivka, Longtime Stronghold for Ukraine, Falls to Russians |access-date=17 February 2024 |archive-date=17 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240217142646/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/17/world/europe/ukraine-avdiivka-withdraw-despair.html |url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Axe 2024 u665">{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Axe |first=David |title=Russian Regiments Collide With Ukraine's Rebuilt Defensive Line—And Lose 80 Vehicles In One Day |website=[[Forbes]] |date=8 March 2024 |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2024/03/08/the-russians-usually-lose-20-armored-vehicles-a-day-around-march-1-they-lost-more-than-80/?sh=7a8a40b63f66 |access-date=13 April 2024}}</ref>

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 (magazine)|Time]]''. The shortage resulted in Ukraine having to ration its units to fire only 2,000 rounds per day, compared to an estimated 10,000 rounds fired daily by Russia.<ref name="Watling 2024 x516">{{cite magazine |last=Watling |first=Jack |title=The Peril of Ukraine's Ammo Shortage |magazine=Time |date=19 February 2024 |url=https://time.com/6694885/ukraine-russia-ammunition/ |access-date=19 April 2024}}</ref>

=== Russian offensives and Ukrainian incursion (April 2024&nbsp;– present) ===
{{See also|Eastern front of the Russo-Ukrainian war (2022–present)#Russian general offensive (April 2024–present)}}
{{For-multi|a chronological guide|Timeline of the Russo-Ukrainian war (1 April – 31 July 2024)|and|Timeline of the Russo-Ukrainian war (1 August – 31 December 2024)|and|Timeline of the Russo-Ukrainian war (1 January 2025 – 31 May 2025)|and|Timeline of the Russo-Ukrainian war (1 June 2025 – 31 August 2025)|and|Timeline of the Russo-Ukrainian war (1 September 2025 – 31 December 2025)|and|Timeline of the Russo-Ukrainian war (1 January 2026 – 31 May 2026)|and|Timeline of the Russo-Ukrainian war (1 June 2026 – present)}}

====2024 Russian spring and summer offensives====
{{main|Battle of Ocheretyne|2024 northern Kharkiv offensive}}

[[File:2024-09-05 - Presidential Brigade UAF - Vovchansk 05.jpg|thumb|The ruins of [[Vovchansk]] following Russia's [[2024 Kharkiv offensive]]]]

On 10 May 2024, Russia began a [[Northern Kharkiv front of the Russo-Ukrainian War (2024–present)|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.<ref name="c973">{{#invoke:cite|web|last1=Kullab |first1=Samya |last2=Morton |first2=Elise |name-list-style=and |date=25 May 2024 |title=Zelenskyy says Ukraine has taken back control in areas of Kharkiv region, aerial attacks continue |url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-kharkiv-offensive-f05456d648a341970ce446c35fa69173 |access-date=7 June 2024 |website=AP News}}</ref><ref name="k589">{{#invoke:cite|web|last1=Mayer |first1=Daryna |last2=Talmazan |first2=Yuliya |name-list-style=and |date=17 May 2024 |title=Ukraine halts Russia's advance and unleashes a wave of drones on Crimea |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/ukraine-stabilized-kharkiv-russia-offensive-crimea-drone-attack-power-rcna152717 |access-date=7 June 2024 |website=NBC News}}</ref> The White House said on 7 June that the offensive had stalled and was unlikely to advance further.<ref name="k069">{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Dress |first=Brad |title=US says Russia's advance on Kharkiv is 'all but over' |website=The Hill |date=7 June 2024 |url=https://thehill.com/policy/defense/4710848-white-house-russia-advance-ukraine-kharkiv-region-stalled/ |access-date=12 June 2024}}</ref>

Following the battle of Avdiivka, Russian forces advanced northwest to form a salient, [[Battle of Ocheretyne|capturing Ocheretyne]] in late April.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/04/24/russia-advances-5-miles-after-error-by-ukraine-forces/ |title=Russian troops advance five miles after Ukrainians left front line unmanned |work=The Telegraph |date=24 April 2024 |first=Joe |last=Barnes}}</ref><ref name="ISW 2024-05-04">{{#invoke:cite|web|title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, May 4, 2024 |last1=Harward |first1=Christina |last2=Evans |first2=Angelica |last3=Stepanenko |first3=Kateryna |last4=Kagan |first4=Frederick W. |work=Institute for the Study of War |date=4 May 2024 |access-date=5 May 2024 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-may-4-2024}}</ref> Russian forces also launched an [[Battle of Chasiv Yar|offensive towards Chasiv Yar]] in early April,<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://euromaidanpress.com/2024/04/07/frontline-report-ukrainian-troops-in-chasiv-yar-face-extensive-bombing-and-numerous-attacks/ |title=Frontline report: Ukrainian troops in Chasiv Yar face extensive bombing and numerous attacks |work=Euromaidan Press |date=7 April 2024}}</ref> and by early July had captured its easternmost district.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/7/4/ukraine-army-retreats-from-part-of-strategic-chasiv-yar-as-russia-advances |title=Ukraine army retreats from part of strategic Chasiv Yar as Russia advances |date=4 July 2024 |work=Al Jazeera}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-says-it-took-control-district-chasiv-yar-ukraine-2024-07-03/ |title=Russia claims control of part of Chasiv Yar, Ukraine reports heavy fighting |date=4 July 2024 |work=Reuters}}</ref> Another [[Battle of Toretsk|offensive]] towards [[Toretsk]] was launched on 18 June,<ref name="ISW 2024-07-18">{{#invoke:cite|web|title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, July 18, 2024 |last1=Stepanenko |first1=Kateryna |last2=Evans |first2=Angelica |last3=Hird |first3=Karolina |last4=Harward |first4=Christina |last5=Barros |first5=George |work=Institute for the Study of War |date=18 July 2024 |access-date=19 July 2024 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-july-18-2024}}</ref> with the goal of capturing the city,<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://www.kyivpost.com/post/35449 |date=7 July 2024 |title=Russians Advance on Toretsk, Ukrainian Troops Battle on Town's Approaches |work=Kyiv Post |first=Julia |last=Struck}}</ref> and according to Ukrainian military observer Nazar Voloshyn, flanking Chasiv Yar from the south.<ref name="ISW 2024-06-21">{{#invoke:cite|web|title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, June 21, 2024 |last1=Evans |first1=Angelica |last2=Wolkov |first2=Nicole |last3=Harward |first3=Christina |last4=Hird |first4=Karolina |last5=Barros |first5=George |work=Institute for the Study of War |date=21 June 2024 |access-date=13 July 2024 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-june-21-2024}}</ref> Russian forces expanded the salient northwest of Avdiivka in July, and, on 19 July 2024, made a breakthrough to [[Pokrovsk offensive|advance towards]] the operationally significant city of [[Pokrovsk]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|work=[[Meduza (website)|Meduza]] |date=26 July 2024 |title=The fall of Prohres : A new Russian breakthrough threatens Ukraine's supply lines at the most vulnerable part of the front |url=https://meduza.io/en/feature/2024/07/26/the-fall-of-prohres}}</ref><ref name="ISW 2024-07-19">{{#invoke:cite|web|title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, July 19, 2024 |last1=Bailey |first1=Riley |last2=Evans |first2=Angelica |last3=Wolkov |first3=Nicole |last4=Harward |first4=Christina |last5=Barros |first5=George |last6=Gasparyan |first6=Davit |work=Institute for the Study of War |date=19 July 2024 |access-date=19 July 2024 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-july-19-2024}}</ref>

====Ukrainian offensive into Russia====
{{main|Kursk campaign}}

[[File:The 80th Air Assault Brigade captured a T-90M Proryv tank in the Kursk region.jpg|thumb|Ukrainian soldiers in [[Kursk Oblast]] in August 2024]]

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]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|work=[[The New York Times]] |date=7 August 2024 |first=Constant |last=Méheut |title=Ukraine Launches Rare Cross-Border Ground Assault Into Russia |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/07/world/europe/ukraine-russia-cross-border-assault.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808025204/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/07/world/europe/ukraine-russia-cross-border-assault.html |archive-date=8 August 2024}}</ref> The main axis of the initial advance centred in the direction of [[Sudzha]], {{convert|10|km}} from the border,<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-brings-war-back-to-russian-soil-with-unprecedented-attack-on-kursk-oblast/ |work=[[Kyiv Independent]] |first=Francis |last=Farrell |date=8 August 2024 |title=Ukraine's unprecedented attack on Kursk Oblast brings war back to Russian soil}}</ref> which was reported by President Zelenskyy to have been captured on 15 August.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|work=[[The New York Times]] |date=15 August 2024 |first=Constant |last=Méheut |title=Ukraine Captures Russian Town, Zelensky Says |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/15/world/europe/russia-ukraine-airfields-kursk.html}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|work=[[Associated Press]] |date=16 August 2024 |url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-kursk-incursion-putin-1178b99b32b476816db3a48ffa06b11a |title=Ukraine's swift push into the Kursk region shocked Russia and exposed its vulnerabilities}}</ref> The incursion caused Russia to divert thousands of troops from occupied Ukrainian territory.<ref name="k052">{{#invoke:cite|web|last1=Lister |first1=Tim |last2=Brennan |first2=Eve |last3=Goodwin |first3=Allegra |title=How Ukraine turned the war on its head with surprise attack on southern Russia |website=CNN |date=17 August 2024 |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/08/17/europe/ukraine-kursk-russia-attack-explainer-intl/index.html |access-date=18 August 2024}}</ref><ref name="wapo831">{{#invoke:cite|news|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |title=Ukraine's gamble in Russia has yet to slow Moscow's eastern assault |date=31 August 2024 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/08/31/ukraine-russia-kursk-pokrovsk-sysrky/ |first1=Siobhán |last1=O'Grady |first2=Tetiana |last2=Burianova |first3=Serhiy |last3=Morgunov|name-list-style=and}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news| last1=O'Grady |first1=Siobhán |last2=Ebel |first2=Francesca |last3=Khudov |first3=Kostiantyn |last4=Morgunov |first4=Serhiy |last5=Korolchuk |first5=Serhii |date=11 August 2025 |title=Ukraine invaded Russia, seizing land it hoped to trade. It couldn't hold on. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/08/11/ukraine-war-kursk-invasion-russia/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=18 December 2025 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref>

====Late 2024 &ndash; early 2026 Russian offensive====
{{main|Velyka Novosilka offensive|Battle of Kurakhove|Battle of Toretsk|Pokrovsk offensive|Kupiansk offensive|Battle of Chasiv Yar}}

[[File:2024-07-04 - 24 OMBr ZSU - Chasiv Yar - 03.jpg|thumb|Destruction during the [[Battle of Chasiv Yar]]]]
[[File:2024- Russian drones launched against Ukraine.svg |thumb|Use of Russian drones (unmanned aerial vehicles) increased about tenfold from early 2024 through summer 2025.<ref name=NYTimes_20250908>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Johnson |first1=Lizzie |last2=Korolchuk |first2=Serhii |last3=Galouchka |first3=Anastacia |last4=Khudov |first4=Kostiantyn |last5=Ram |first5=Ed |last6=Chen |first6=Yutao |last7=Ledur |first7=Júlia |last8=Sand |first8=Bishop |title=Russia bombs Ukraine almost every night. This is what it sounds like. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/interactive/2025/ukraine-bombing-sounds-war-sirens-russia/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=8 September 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250909004516/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/interactive/2025/ukraine-bombing-sounds-war-sirens-russia/ |archive-date=9 September 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref>]]
Russian troops continued advancing in eastern Ukraine at a faster pace than prior to the Kursk offensive,<ref name=Miller>{{#invoke:cite|web|title=Volodymyr Zelenskyy faces backlash over Russia's breach of eastern defences |website=FT |date=30 August 2024 |last1=Miller |first1=Christopher |url=https://www.ft.com/content/e63ce931-d3a1-4b4a-8540-e578d87873e5 |access-date=31 August 2024 |archive-date=31 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240831121654/https://www.ft.com/content/e63ce931-d3a1-4b4a-8540-e578d87873e5 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription}}</ref> including towards the operationally important city of [[Pokrovsk]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=22 August 2024 |first1=Isabelle |last1=Khurshudyan |first2=Anastacia |last3=Morgunov |last2=Galouchka |first3=Serhiy |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/08/22/ukraine-kursk-pokrovsk-russia-views/ |title=Ukrainians cheer push into Russia but fear it comes at the cost of the east|name-list-style=and}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|newspaper=[[The Economist]] |url=https://www.economist.com/europe/2024/08/22/the-kremlin-is-close-to-crushing-pokrovsk-a-vital-ukrainian-town |title=The Kremlin is close to crushing Pokrovsk, a vital Ukrainian town |date=22 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|work=[[Associated Press]] |date=22 August 2024 |title=Moscow sees one of Ukraine's largest drone attacks as fighting rages in Kursk and eastern Ukraine |url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-829eac0d80851258f03d8d9cbaf71eea |quote=The gains in Kursk come as Ukraine continues to lose ground in the eastern industrial region of Donbas.}}</ref>

In late August 2024, Russian forces seized [[Novohrodivka]], southeast of Pokrovsk,<ref name=Miller/> while [[Battle of Krasnohorivka|capturing Krasnohorivka]]<ref name="ISW 2024-09-10">{{#invoke:cite|web|title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, September 10, 2024 |last1=Hird |first1=Karolina |last2=Evans |first2=Angelica |last3=Wolkov |first3=Nicole |last4=Mappes |first4=Grace |last5=Zehrung |first5=Haley |work=Institute for the Study of War |date=10 September 2024 |access-date=10 September 2024 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-september-10-2024 |quote=Geolocated footage posted on September 9 indicates that Russian forces seized Krasnohorivka [...] The Russian MoD also claimed that Russian forces seized Krasnohorivka, consistent with the available geolocated evidence.}}</ref> and [[Ukrainsk]]<ref name="NYT918"/> in early September.<ref name="NYT918">{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Méheut |first=Constant |date=18 September 2024 |title=Russia Seizes Eastern Town as Ukraine Says It Hit a Big Ammunition Depot |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/18/world/europe/ukraine-russia-strikes.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918104436/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/18/world/europe/ukraine-russia-strikes.html/ |archive-date=18 September 2024 |access-date=18 September 2024 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> In late September, a Russian assault on the long-held city of [[Battle of Vuhledar|Vuhledar began]];<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|work=[[Reuters]] |title=Russian forces storming east Ukrainian town of Vuhledar, bloggers and media say |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russian-forces-storming-ukrainian-town-vuhledar-bloggers-media-say-2024-09-24/ |date=24 September 2024 }}</ref> after it fell on 1 October, the city with a pre-war population of about 14,000 was described as a "sprawling ruin."<ref name="vuhledar101">{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Kilner |first=James |date=1 October 2024 |title=Russia secures biggest victory since February as it captures Ukrainian stronghold |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/10/01/russias-biggest-victory-since-february-ukrainian-stronghold/ |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] }}</ref><ref name="j026">{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Harding |first=Luke |title=Ukraine says its forces have withdrawn from defensive bastion of Vuhledar |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=2 October 2024 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/02/ukraine-forces-withdrawn-vuhledar-donetsk |access-date=9 October 2024 }}</ref>

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 [[Victory Plan for Ukraine|Zelensky's victory plan]] was too heavily focused on Western support. Briefings from Western officials had also become more pessimistic.<ref name=telegraph-20241030>{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/10/30/ukraine-crumbling-russia-zelensky-victory-plan-kyiv/ |title=Ukraine's front line is 'crumbling' against Russian advances, says general |last1=Kilner |first1=James |last2=Hardaker |first2=Daniel |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |url-access=subscription |date=30 October 2024 |access-date=7 November 2024 }}</ref><ref name=nyt-20241101>{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/01/us/politics/russia-ukraine-war.html |title=As Russia Advances, U.S. Fears Ukraine Has Entered a Grim Phase |last1=Barnes |first1=Julian E. |last2=Schmitt |first2=Eric |last3=Cooper |first3=Helene |last4=Barker |first4=Kim |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |url-access=subscription |date=1 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241101211720/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/01/us/politics/russia-ukraine-war.html |archive-date=1 November 2024}}</ref> According to the Prosecutor General's Office, more than 100,000 criminal cases for [[desertion]] were initiated by the end of November 2024.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|first1=Samya |last1=Kullab |first2=Volodymyr |last2=Yurchuk |title=Desertion threatens to starve Ukraine's forces at a crucial time in its war with Russia |url=https://apnews.com/article/deserters-awol-ukraine-russia-war-def676562552d42bc5d593363c9e5ea0 |work=[[AP News]] |date=29 November 2024 }}</ref> Russian forces captured the city of [[Kurakhove]] in late December 2024 and the nearby [[Kurakhove Power Station]] in January 2025.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|date=31 December 2024 |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, December 31, 2024 |url=https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-31-2024 |access-date=17 April 2025 |website=[[Institute for the Study of War]] |language=en }}</ref><ref name="ISW 2025-01-03">{{#invoke:cite|web|last1=Trotter |first1=Nate |last2=Kagan |first2=Frederick W. |last3=Mappes |first3=Grace |last4=Runkel |first4=William |last5=Gibson |first5=Olivia |last6=Harward |first6=Christina |date=3 January 2025 |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, January 3, 2025 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-january-3-2025 |work=[[Institute for the Study of War]] }}</ref>

In early 2025, Russian forces advanced in eastern Ukraine,<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Eckel |first1=Mike |date=3 January 2025 |title=Russia Advances, Ukraine Struggles, The War Turns Grimmer For Kyiv |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-pokrovsk-donbas-war-offensive/33261303.html |work=[[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]] }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=15 February 2025 |title=Russian forces take control of two settlements in eastern Ukraine, TASS says |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russian-forces-take-control-two-settlements-eastern-ukraine-tass-says-2025-02-14/ |work=[[Reuters]] }}</ref> with Russia claiming to have captured [[Velyka Novosilka]] in January.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|date=26 January 2025 |title=Russia says its troops have captured a strategic town in eastern Ukraine |url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-invasion-donetsk-offensive-c544bbc5c99c64d5620876cad165a5db |access-date=17 April 2025 |work=[[AP News]] |language=en }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|date=2 February 2025 |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 2, 2025 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-february-2-2025 |access-date=17 April 2025 |website=[[Institute for the Study of War]] |language=en }}</ref> Russia continued [[Russian strikes against Ukrainian infrastructure (2022–present)|attacks]] on Ukrainian energy infrastructure.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Russia claims to have seized two new villages in eastern Ukraine |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/1/12/russia-claims-to-have-seized-new-villages-in-eastern-ukraine |work=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]] |date=12 January 2025 }}</ref> In February 2025, Ukraine's government approved a one-year contract for volunteers aged 18–24 not subject to [[mobilisation]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Basmat |first1=Dmytro |title=Over 10,000 applications to join military submitted by young recruits following introduction of 'special contracts,' Defense Ministry says |url=https://kyivindependent.com/over-10-000-applications-to-join-military-received-from-young-recruits-following-introduction-of-special-contracts-defense-ministry-says/ |work=[[The Kyiv Independent]] |date=18 February 2025 }}</ref> By April 2025, Russian advances had slowed, according to Seth Jones from the [[Center for Strategic and International Studies]].<ref name="h119">{{#invoke:cite|web| last1=Jones | first1=Seth G. | last2=McCabe | first2=Riley | title=Russia's Battlefield Woes in Ukraine | website=CSIS | date=11 August 2025 | url=https://www.csis.org/analysis/russias-battlefield-woes-ukraine | access-date=3 September 2025}}</ref> 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.<ref name="o749">{{#invoke:cite|web| title=UN warns of record civilian casualties in Ukraine | website=UN News | date=10 July 2025 | url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/07/1165366 | access-date=3 September 2025}}</ref> 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.<ref name="c384">{{#invoke:cite|web| title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, August 28, 2025 | website=Institute for the Study of War | date=28 August 2025 | url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-august-28-2025 | access-date=3 September 2025}}</ref>

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.<ref name="b037">{{#invoke:cite|web |last=Dickinson |first=Peter |title=Putin's failed summer offensive shatters the myth of inevitable Russian victory |website=[[Atlantic Council]] |date=2 September 2025 |url=https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainealert/putins-failed-summer-offensive-shatters-the-myth-of-inevitable-russian-victory/ |access-date=3 September 2025 |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref><ref name="x018">{{#invoke:cite|news |title=Russia's summer offensive in Ukraine underwhelms – but Kyiv won't be celebrating |work=[[CNN]] |date=29 June 2025 |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2025/06/29/europe/russia-summer-offensive-kyiv-ukraine-intl |access-date=3 September 2025 |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref>

Russia escalated attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure.<ref name="Chathamhouse_Nov2025"/> In response, Ukraine attacked Russian energy and logistical networks, including targeting oil facilities, causing a Russian [[2025 Russian fuel crisis|fuel crisis]].<ref>UK Parliament Library, Ukraine Update, October 2025.</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Christou |first=William |date=8 November 2025 |title=Russian missile attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities kill at least seven |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/nov/08/russia-ukraine-drone-missile-attacks-energy-infrastructure-casualties |access-date=19 November 2025 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref><ref name="o817">{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Kirichenko |first=David |title=Russia's Fuel Crisis Deepens As Kremlin Warns Gas Station Owners |website=[[Forbes]] |date=1 October 2025 |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidkirichenko/2025/10/01/russias-fuel-crisis-deepens-as-kremlin-warns-gas-station-owners/ |access-date=19 November 2025 |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref>

During October and November 2025, Russian forces intensified operations around Pokrovsk. Russia advanced hundreds of square miles, applying pressure on Ukrainian defensive lines.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|title=The Russia-Ukraine War Report Card, Nov. 12, 2025 {{!}} Russia Matters |url=https://www.russiamatters.org/news/russia-ukraine-war-report-card/russia-ukraine-war-report-card-nov-12-2025 |access-date=19 November 2025 |website=russiamatters.org}}</ref> By late October, there was fighting within Pokrovsk city proper.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news |last=Landale |first=James |date=1 November 2025 |title=Key town faces 'multi-thousand' Russian force, top Ukraine commander admits |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crklljyx6mzo |access-date=18 December 2025 |work=[[BBC News]] |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref> On 1 December, Russia claimed to have captured the city, although there were still Ukrainian forces in the northern portion.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news |last=Osborn |first=Andrew |date=2 December 2025 |title=Russia says before talks with US it has fully captured city of Pokrovsk, Ukraine denies it |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/russias-putin-told-frontline-liberation-pokrovsk-vovchansk-kremlin-says-2025-12-01/ |access-date=18 December 2025 |work=[[BBC News]] |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news |last=Beale |first=Jonathan |date=9 December 2025 |title=Ukrainians raise flag to show BBC the fight goes on in city claimed by Russia |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd6x3vv7y60o |access-date=18 December 2025 |work=[[BBC News]] |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref> Russia reportedly fully captured [[Pokrovsk]], [[Myrnohrad]], and [[Huliaipole]] in early 2026.<ref>{{cite web | last=Bern | first=Stefaniia | title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 25, 2026 | website=Institute for the Study of War | date=2026-02-26 | url=https://understandingwar.org/research/russia-ukraine/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-february-25-2026/ | access-date=2026-03-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Noonan | first=Fiona | title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 4, 2026 | website=Institute for the Study of War | date=2026-02-05 | url=https://understandingwar.org/research/russia-ukraine/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-february-4-2026/ | access-date=2026-03-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Grace | first=Adam | title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 6, 2026 | website=Institute for the Study of War | date=2026-02-07 | url=https://understandingwar.org/research/russia-ukraine/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-february-6-2026/ | access-date=2026-03-02}}</ref>

In December 2025, following Russian claims of controlling Kupiansk, Zelenskyy visited the city. A Ukrainian commander stated that Russian troops there were surrounded.<ref name="y195">{{cite news |last=Psaropoulos |first=John T. |title=Russian forces 'completely cut off' from Kupiansk, says Ukrainian commander |work=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]] |date=12 December 2025 |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12/12/putin-pursues-peace-through-capitulation-as-ukraine-fights-on-in-pokrovsk |access-date=18 December 2025 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Dysa |first=Yuliia |date=12 December 2025 |title=Zelenskiy visits Kupiansk as Ukraine retakes parts of frontline town |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-says-it-retakes-parts-kupiansk-encircling-russian-troops-2025-12-12/ |access-date=18 December 2025 |work=[[Reuters]]}}</ref> 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 were part of a [[cognitive warfare]] effort.<ref name="d830">{{cite web |last=Noonan |first=Fiona |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, December 15, 2025 |website=[[Institute for the Study of War]] |date=16 December 2025 |url=https://understandingwar.org/research/russia-ukraine/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-15-2025/ |access-date=18 December 2025 }}</ref>

====2026 Ukrainian counterattacks====
{{main|2026 Ukrainian counteroffensive|Middle strike campaign|2026 Dobropillia offensive}}
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 {{convert|200|km2}} 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.<ref name="w459">{{cite web | last=Stuart | first=Riley | title=Ukraine reclaims more than 200 square kilometres of territory as Elon Musk blocks Russian army's internet access | website=ABC News | date=18 February 2026 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-19/ukraine-reclaims-territory-as-musk-blocks-russian-army-internet/106356642 | access-date=5 March 2026}}</ref><ref name="m572">{{cite web | last=Adams | first=Paul | title=Musk cuts Starlink access for Russian forces, giving Ukraine an edge at the front | website=BBC | date=19 February 2026 | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0q3ndj7052o | access-date=5 March 2026}}</ref> 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.<ref name="b940">{{cite web | last1=Cotterill |first1=Tom |last2=Barker |first2=Memphis |last3=Blomfield |first3=Adrian | title= Russian soldiers being killed faster than Kremlin can recruit them | website=The Telegraph | date=24 February 2026 | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/24/russian-soldiers-killed-faster-than-kremlin-can-recruit/?WT.mc_id=tmgoff_reddit_faster-than-kremlin-can-recruit/ | access-date=5 March 2026}}</ref>

In April 2026, the [[Unmanned Systems Forces of Ukraine]] launched the [[middle strike campaign]] against [[Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine|Russian-occupied territories]], especially [[Crimea]], with [[one-way attack drone]]s.<ref name="Beaumont">{{cite news |last=Beaumont |first=Peter |title='Highway of death': the Ukrainian drone campaign menacing Russian logistics |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=11 June 2026 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/11/highway-of-death-the-ukrainian-drone-campaign-menacing-russian-logistics |access-date=14 June 2026}}</ref><ref name="Eastwood">{{cite web |last=Eastwood |first=Brent M. |title=Russia's Last Supply Road to Crimea Has Earned a Grim New Name: The 'Highway of Death' |website=National Security Journal |date=11 June 2026 |url=https://nationalsecurityjournal.org/russias-last-supply-road-to-crimea-has-earned-a-grim-new-name-the-highway-of-death/ |access-date=14 June 2026}}</ref>

In mid-May 2026, Russia's spring offensive was described as unsuccessful by battlefield experts and military analysts, with Ukraine regaining more territory than it had lost for the second time in the year.<ref name="f785">{{cite web | last1=Lohinov | first1=Yehor | last2=Eckel | first2=Mike | title=On Springtime Battlefield In War's Fifth Year, Ukraine Claws Back Territory | website=RFE/RL | date=20 May 2026 | url=https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-war-battlefield-gains/33761066.html | access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref><ref name="f78f">{{cite web | last=Verbian| first=Volodymyr| title=Ukraine, Allies Grow Confident Russia Invasion Losing Steam | website=Bloomberg | date=22 May 2026 | url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-05-22/ukraine-and-allies-grow-confident-russia-s-invasion-losing-steam?embedded-checkout=true | access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref> The same month, Russia launched one of the largest combined aerial assaults of the war against Kyiv and other cities.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Beaumont |first=Peter |date=2026-05-14 |title=Ukraine hit by second day of large-scale Russian missile and drone strikes |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/may/14/ukraine-second-day-large-scale-russian-missile-drone-strikes |access-date=2026-05-14 |work=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> In Kyiv, a residential building was destroyed, killing 24.<ref name="f053">{{cite web | last=Khalili-Tari | first=Daniel | title=Zelenskyy vows response after Russian strike kills 24 in Kyiv | website=Al Jazeera | date=15 May 2026 | url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/5/15/zelenskyy-vows-response-after-russian-strike-kills-24-in-kyiv | access-date=16 May 2026}}</ref><ref name="i653">{{cite web | title=Kyiv in mourning after 24 killed in strike as Russia, Ukraine exchange POWs | website=France 24 | date=15 May 2026 | url=https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20260515-ukraine-in-mourning-after-24-killed-in-russian-attack-on-kyiv | access-date=16 May 2026}}</ref> The following months saw Russia escalating air attacks as its progress on the front slowed, with the UN reporting a significant rise in Ukrainian civilians killed.<ref name="e525">{{citation | last1=Ogirenko | first1=Valentyn | last2=Pruchnicka | first2=Anna | title=Russian air attacks kill 12 in Kyiv region on sixth day of strikes | work=Reuters | date=1 September 2026 | url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/explosions-heard-ukraines-kyiv-four-people-injured-2026-09-01/ | access-date=17 September 2026 | page=}}</ref><ref name="v662">{{cite web | title=At least five killed in Russian drone strike near Ukraine front line | website=Al Jazeera | date=16 September 2026 | url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/9/16/at-least-five-killed-in-russian-drone-strike-near-ukraine-front-line | access-date=17 September 2026}}</ref> 

In September, it was reported that Ukraine had successfully counterattacked Russian forces north of [[Lyman, Ukraine|Lyman]] in Donetsk, retaking about {{convert|200|km2|sqmi}} and disrupting Russian plans to encircle Ukrainian defences in the region.<ref name="a653">{{cite web | last=Eckel | first=Mike | title=A Quiet Ukrainian Counteroffensive, A 'Rout' For Russian Forces | website=RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty | date=15 September 2026 | url=https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-counteroffensive-lyman/33856852.html | access-date=17 September 2026}}</ref><ref name="a654">{{cite web | last=Barker| first=Memphis| title=Ukraine's biggest victory this year exposes lying Russian commanders | website=The Telegraph | date=12 September 2026 | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/09/12/lying-russian-commanders-ukraines-biggest-victory-putin/?WT.mc_id=tmgoff_youtube_commanders-ukraines-biggest-victory-putin%2F | access-date=17 September 2026}}</ref>

== Battlespaces ==
{{further|Northern front of the Russian invasion of Ukraine|Eastern front of the Russo-Ukrainian war (2022–present)|Southern front of the Russo-Ukrainian war (2022–present)|label1=Northern front|label2=Eastern front|label3=Southern front}}

=== Command ===
{{further|Russo-Ukrainian war (2022–present) order of battle}}
[[File:Meeting with military district commanders (2024-05-15) 14.jpg|thumb|Putin with [[Sergei Shoigu|Shoigu]], [[Valery Gerasimov|Gerasimov]], [[Andrey Belousov|Belousov]], [[Yunus-bek Yevkurov|Yevkurov]] and commanders of [[military districts of Russia]] on 15 May 2024]]
[[File:Defenceofkyiv.jpg|thumb|Ukrainian commanders [[Oleksandr Syrskyi]] and [[Valerii Zaluzhnyi]]]]

====Russia====
As head of state, Vladimir Putin is the supreme commander of Russia's armed forces. Putin has reportedly intervened in operational decisions, bypassing senior commanders and giving orders directly to brigade commanders.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Sabbagh |first=Dan |date=16 May 2022 |title=Putin involved in war 'at level of colonel or brigadier', say western sources |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/may/16/putin-involved-russia-ukraine-war-western-sources |access-date=10 October 2023 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref> Additionally, during the initial period of the war Russian forces suffered from a lack of unified command, with leadership of the operation divided between the four military districts involved in it.<ref name="CRSR21323"/>

According to US officials, the commander of the Russian Southern Military District, [[Aleksandr Dvornikov]], was placed in overall command on 8 April 2022.<ref name="Burns & Yen 2022">{{cite news |last1=Burns |first1=Robert |last2=Yen |first2=Hope |title=US doubts new Russian war chief can end Moscow's floundering |url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-appoints-new-ukraine-war-commander-dvornikov-22 |access-date=28 February 2026 |work=AP News |date=10 April 2022}}</ref> Analysts of the OSINT organisation CIT speculated that Dvornikov had been replaced by [[Gennady Zhidko]] in late May 2022,<ref name="NVOU June 2022">{{cite news |title=General Dvornikov 'no longer in command' of Russian Army in Ukraine - CIT |url=https://english.nv.ua/nation/general-dvornikov-dismissed-from-command-of-russian-army-in-ukraine-russia-news-russia-invasion-50247453.html |access-date=28 February 2026 |work=New Voice of Ukraine |date=3 June 2022}}</ref> with US officials quoted in ''The New York Times'' also speculating that he had "disappeared".<ref name="Cooper May 2022">{{cite news |last1=Cooper |first1=Helene |title=Russian Military Is Repeating Mistakes in Eastern Ukraine, U.S. Says |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/31/us/politics/russia-military-eastern-ukraine.html |access-date=28 February 2026 |work=The New York Times |date=31 May 2022|author-link=Helene Cooper}}</ref>

In October 2022 the Russian ministry of defence officially announced that [[Sergei Surovikin]] had been placed in charge of Russia's forces fighting in Ukraine; according to analyst John Hardie writing for [[FDD's Long War Journal|the Long War Journal]], Surovikin was "likely the operation's first true unified commander". Surovikin, whom Hardie described as "a competent commander", was replaced in January 2023 by [[Valery Gerasimov]]. The Russian ministry of defence claimed that Surovikin's replacement was necessitated by the need for a more senior officer to carry out an "amplified range of tasks" and to increase "cooperation between services and branches of the Armed Forces". According to Hardie, Suvorikin's replacement may have reflected "internal power politics".<ref name="Hardie 2023">{{cite journal |last1=Hardie |first1=John |title=Moscow Shakes Up Command of Its Forces in Ukraine (Again) |journal=Long War Journal |date=12 January 2023 |url=https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2023/01/moscow-shakes-up-command-of-its-forces-in-ukraine-again.php |access-date=28 February 2026}}</ref>

Gerasimov was still in overall command of Russian forces in the Ukraine war when he reached the mandatory retirement age in September 2025 but was allowed to stay on.<ref name="Moscow Times Sept 2025">{{cite news |title=Putin Likely Lets Gerasimov Stay On as Top General After Hitting Retirement Age |url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/09/09/putin-likely-lets-gerasimov-stay-on-as-top-general-after-hitting-retirement-age-a90469 |access-date=28 February 2026 |work=Moscow Times |date=9 September 2025}}</ref> According to Australian analyst and former general Mick Ryan writing in September 2023, Russian forces benefited from this unification of command.<ref>
{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Ryan |first=Mick |date=10 September 2023 |title=The Russians may be learning from the mistakes of the Ukraine war. But are they adapting fast enough? |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-05-31/russia-ukraine-war-learning-from-mistakes-adapting-enough/101110070 |access-date=10 October 2023 |work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]] |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref><ref name="CRSR21323">{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R47068 |title=Russia's War in Ukraine: Military and Intelligence Aspects |date=13 February 2023 |publisher=Congressional Research Service |access-date=10 October 2023 |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref>

Particularly during the opening months of the war, Russia suffered a remarkably large number of casualties in the ranks of its officers, including [[List of Russian generals killed during the Russian invasion of Ukraine|a number of generals]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Deliso |first=Meredith |date=8 May 2022 |title=Why Russia has suffered the loss of an 'extraordinary' number of generals |work=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/russia-suffered-loss-extraordinary-number-generals/story?id=84545931 |access-date=26 June 2023 |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref>

====Ukraine====
General [[Valerii Zaluzhnyi]] was [[Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine|commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine]] from before the start of the war in February 2022. US General [[Mark Milley]] wrote in May 2022 that Zaluzhnyi had "emerged as the military mind his country needed. His leadership enabled the Ukrainian armed forces to adapt quickly with battlefield initiative against the Russians."<ref name="Shuster 2022">{{Cite magazine |last=Shuster |first=Simon |date=26 September 2022 |title=Inside the Ukrainian Counterstrike That Turned the Tide of the War |url=https://time.com/6216213/ukraine-military-valeriy-zaluzhny/ |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |access-date=10 September 2023 }}</ref> Following reported disputes between Zaluzhnyi and Volodomir Zelenskyy, Zaluznhy was replaced by [[Oleksandr Syrskyi]] in February 2024. According to [[Mykhailo Podolyak]], Zaluzhnyi's replacement was motivated by the need to revise tactics and prevent stagnation of the front in the aftermath of Ukraine's 2023 counteroffensive.<ref name="Moloney 2024">{{cite news |last1=Moloney |first1=Marita |title=Zelensky sacks Ukraine's commander-in-chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-68244813 |access-date=28 February 2026 |work=BBC News |date=8 February 2024}}</ref> In July 2026, Zelenskyy replaced Syrskyi with [[Mykhailo Drapatyi]] amidst a military leadership crisis and protests demanding the reinstatement of [[Mykhailo Fedorov]] as Minister of Defence and the removal of Syrskyi.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-07-21|title= Syrsky Dismissed as Commander-in-Chief, Drapaty Replaces Him |url= https://www.kyivpost.com/post/80782 |access-date=2026-07-22|website= Kyiv Post}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-07-21|title= Ukraine's Zelenskyy fires his military chief after protests and names a replacement |url= https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-zelenskyy-syrskyi-army-chief-504513cfcc5cbc55175dc605cc711793 |access-date=2026-07-22|website= Associated Press}}</ref>

=== Missile attacks and aerial warfare ===
{{main|Aerial warfare in the Russian invasion of Ukraine}}

{{see also|List of aviation shootdowns and accidents during the Russo-Ukrainian war}}

[[File:Kyiv after Russian shelling, 2022-10-10 (073).webp|thumb|Burning cars and civilians killed in Kyiv following [[Russian strikes against Ukrainian infrastructure (2022–present)|Russian missile and drone strikes on 10 October 2022]]]]
Aerial warfare began the first day of the invasion. Dozens of missile attacks were recorded across both eastern and western Ukraine,<ref name="CriticalThreats"/><ref name="ISW 4MAR"/> as far west as Lviv.<ref name="Rostov-Gazeta-2022-02-25">{{#invoke:cite|news|date=25 February 2022 |title=Вооруженные силы Украины атаковали Миллерово «Точкой-У» |trans-title=Ukrainian Armed Forces attacked Millerovo with Tochka-U |url=https://rostovgazeta.ru/news/politics/25-02-2022/vooruzhennye-sily-ukrainy-atakovali-millerovo-tochkoy-u |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225073113/https://rostovgazeta.ru/news/politics/25-02-2022/vooruzhennye-sily-ukrainy-atakovali-millerovo-tochkoy-u |archive-date=25 February 2022 |access-date=25 February 2022 |work=[[Rostov Gazeta]] |language=ru}}</ref>

By September 2022, Ukrainian air forces had shot down about 55 Russian warplanes.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Insinna |first=Valerie |date=19 September 2022 |title=It took 'couple of months' to put US anti-radiation missiles on Ukrainian fighters, USAF reveals |url=https://breakingdefense.sites.breakingmedia.com/2022/09/it-took-couple-of-months-to-put-us-anti-radiation-missiles-on-ukrainian-fighters-usaf-reveals/ |access-date=26 December 2022 |website=Breaking Defense }}</ref> In mid-October, Russian forces launched [[Russian strikes against Ukrainian infrastructure|missile strikes against Ukrainian infrastructure]], intended to knock out energy facilities.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Meilhan |first1=Pierre |last2=Roth |first2=Richard |date=22 October 2022 |title=Ukrainian military says 18 Russian cruise missiles destroyed amid attacks on energy infrastructure |work=[[CNN]] |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/22/europe/russia-ukraine-war-intl-hnk/index.html |access-date=26 December 2022 }}</ref> By late November, hundreds of civilians had been killed or wounded,<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=25 November 2022 |title=UN: Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy system have killed 77 civilians since Oct. 10 |work=The [[Kyiv Independent]] |url=https://kyivindependent.com/news-feed/un-says-russian-attacks-on-ukraines-energy-system-have-killed-77-civilians-since-oct-10 |access-date=26 December 2022 }}</ref> and [[rolling blackout]]s had left millions without power.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Ukraine battles to restore power as millions face blackouts |work=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]] |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/11/24/ukraine-battles-to-restore-power-after-russia-damages-grid |access-date=26 December 2022 }}</ref>

In December 2022, drones launched from Ukraine allegedly carried out several attacks on [[Dyagilevo (air base)|Dyagilevo]] and [[Engels-2 (air base)|Engels]] air bases in [[2022–2023 Western Russia attacks|western Russia]], killing 10 and heavily damaging two [[Tupolev Tu-95|Tu-95]] aircraft.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|date=5 December 2022 |title=Three dead in explosions at Russian airbases |url=https://english.nv.ua/nation/three-dead-in-explosions-at-russian-air-bases-ukraine-war-news-50288864.html |access-date=11 February 2023 |website=[[The New Voice of Ukraine]] |archive-url= |archive-date=}}

* {{#invoke:cite|news|date=26 December 2022 |title=Three killed in second attack on Engels base deep inside Russia |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/12/26/ukraine-war-explosions-reported-at-engels-airbase-deep-inside-russia.html |access-date=11 February 2023 |work=[[CNBC]] |agency=[[Reuters]] |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref>

On 1 June 2025, Ukraine carried out "[[Operation Spiderweb]]," targeting several air bases deep inside Russian territory using smuggled drones. The operation was seen as successful,<ref name="z595">{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Boffey |first=Daniel |title='He's a bulldog': the man behind the success of Ukraine's Operation Spiderweb |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=6 June 2025 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/06/the-man-behind-the-success-of-ukraine-operation-spiderweb-russia |access-date=10 June 2025 |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref> with Ukraine saying it had damaged or destroyed 41 high-value aircraft, including strategic bombers used to coordinate and launch attacks on Ukrainian cities.<ref name="b319">{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Bego |first=Katja |title=Ukraine's Operation Spider's Web is a game-changer for modern drone warfare. NATO should pay attention |website=Chatham House – International Affairs Think Tank |date=5 June 2025 |url=https://www.chathamhouse.org/2025/06/ukraines-operation-spiders-web-game-changer-modern-drone-warfare-nato-should-pay-attention |access-date=10 June 2025 |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref> US officials assessed a lower number, saying that Ukraine had hit 20 planes, destroying 10.<ref name="s394">{{#invoke:cite|news|first1=Phil |last1=Stewart |first2=Idrees |last2=Ali |title=Exclusive: Ukraine hit fewer Russian planes than it estimated, US officials say |work=[[Reuters]] |date=5 June 2025 |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/ukraine-hit-fewer-russian-planes-than-it-estimated-us-officials-say-2025-06-04/ |access-date=10 June 2025 |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref> The operation is estimated to have caused billions of dollars in damage to Russian aircraft.<ref name="b759">{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Gozzi| first=Laura| title=How Ukraine carried out daring 'Spider Web' attack on Russian bombers |work=[[BBC News]] |date=2 June 2025 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cq69qnvj6nlo |access-date=10 June 2025 |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref><ref name="p895">{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Bondar |first=Kateryna |title=How Ukraine's Operation "Spider's Web" Redefines Asymmetric Warfare |website=CSIS |date=3 June 2025 |url=https://www.csis.org/analysis/how-ukraines-spider-web-operation-redefines-asymmetric-warfare |access-date=10 June 2025 |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref><ref name="t713">{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Just how much damage did Ukraine do in its 'Spiderweb' drone attack on Russia? |work=[[NBC News]] | date=7 June 2025 |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/world/ukraine/ukraine-spiderweb-drone-attack-russia-kyiv-moscow-osint-satellite-rcna211381 |access-date=10 June 2025 |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref><ref name="d975">{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Mazhulin | first1=Artem |last2=Holmes |first2=Oliver |last3=Swan |first3=Lucy |last4=Boulinier |first4=Laure |last5=Hecimovic |first5=Arnel |title=Operation Spiderweb: a visual guide to Ukraine's destruction of Russian aircraft |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=2 June 2025 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/02/operation-spiderweb-visual-guide-ukraine-drone-attack-russian-aircraft |access-date=10 June 2025 |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref>

==== Crimea attacks ====
{{main|Crimea attacks}}

[[File:В Новофёдоровке в день взрывов на аэродроме, 2022, 03.jpg|thumb|Smoke from the [[2022 Saky air base attack|Ukrainian attack on Saky airbase]], Crimea, 2022]]
On 31 July 2022, Russian Navy Day commemorations were cancelled after a drone attack reportedly wounded several people at the Russian [[Black Sea Fleet]] headquarters in Sevastopol.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=31 July 2022 |title=Russian Navy Day Celebrations Canceled In Crimea's Sevastopol After Reported Drone Attack |work=[[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]] |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/crimea-navy-day-canceled-sevastapol-attack/31967407.html |access-date=23 August 2022 |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref> On 9 August 2022, [[2022 Novofedorivka explosions|large explosions]] were reported at [[Saky (air base)|Saky Air Base]] in western Crimea. Satellite imagery showed at least eight aircraft damaged or destroyed.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Cheetham |first=Joshua |date=11 August 2022 |title=Ukraine war: Crimea airbase badly damaged, satellite images show |work=[[BBC News]] |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-62500560 |access-date=6 September 2022 |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref> Ukrainian general [[Valerii Zaluzhnyi]] claimed responsibility on 7 September.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Sands |first=Leo |date=7 September 2022 |title=Saky airfield: Ukraine claims Crimea blasts responsibility after denial |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-62821044 |access-date=12 September 2022 |work=[[BBC News]] |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref>

A week later Russia blamed "sabotage" for explosions and a fire at an arms depot near [[Dzhankoi]] in northeastern Crimea that also damaged a railway line and power station. Russian regional head [[Sergei Aksyonov]] said that 2,000 people were evacuated from the area.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Kirby |first=Paul |date=16 August 2022 |title=Ukraine war: Russia blames sabotage for new Crimea blasts |work=[[BBC News]] |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-62560041 |access-date=19 August 2022 }}</ref> On 18 August, explosions were reported at [[Belbek Air Base]] north of Sevastopol.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Graham-Harrison |first=Emma |date=19 August 2022 |title=Fires and explosions reported at military targets in Russia and Crimea |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/aug/18/fires-and-explosions-reported-at-military-targets-in-russia-and-crimea |access-date=19 August 2022 |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref> On 8 October 2022 the [[Kerch Bridge]], linking occupied Crimea to Russia, [[2022 Crimean Bridge explosion|partially collapsed due to an explosion]].<ref name="nyttruck">{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Kramer |first1=Andrew E. |last2=Schwirtz |first2=Michael |date=11 October 2022 |orig-date=8 October 2022 |title=Explosion on 12-Mile Crimea Bridge Kills 3 |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/10/08/world/russia-ukraine-war-news |url-status=live |access-date=8 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221008061227/https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/10/08/world/russia-ukraine-war-news |archive-date=8 October 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |oclc=1645522 |eissn=1553-8095}}</ref> On 17 July 2023, there was [[2023 Crimean Bridge explosion|another large explosion]] on the bridge.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/16/europe/russia-crimea-bridge-intl-hnk/index.html |title=Emergency incident reported on bridge linking Crimea with Russia |date=16 July 2023 |last1=Pennington |first1=Josh |last2=Stambaugh |first2=Alex |work=[[CNN]] |access-date=16 July 2023 |archive-date=17 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230717033602/https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/16/europe/russia-crimea-bridge-intl-hnk/index.html |url-status=live}}</ref> On 3 June 2025, an [[2025 Crimean Bridge explosion|attack with underwater explosives]] damaged the foundations of the bridge; traffic resumed within hours.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Crimea bridge reopens after Ukraine says it carried out underwater explosion |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/live/cr58e9yr2ezt |date=3 June 2025 |access-date=7 June 2025 |first=Adam |last=Goldsmith |work=[[BBC News]] |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref>

==== Russian attacks against Ukrainian civilian infrastructure ====
{{Main|Russian strikes against Ukrainian infrastructure}}

{{Further|Russian attacks on civilians in the Russo-Ukrainian war (2022–present)}}
[[File:Kyiv after Russian shelling, 2022-10-10 (305).webp|thumb|Fires on a [[Cogeneration|combined heat and power plant]] in Kyiv after Russian missile strikes on 10 October 2022]]
Since 2022, Russia has carried out strikes on Ukrainian electrical and water systems.<ref name="intermittent">{{#invoke:cite|news|date=16 December 2022 |title=Russia launches another major missile attack on Ukraine |work=[[Associated Press]] News |url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-kyiv-5d3e5ee5e93b6402d5214b3cf094fa1c |access-date=17 December 2022 }}</ref> On 6 October 2022, the Ukrainian military reported that 86 [[HESA Shahed 136|Shahed 136]] kamikaze drones had been launched by Russian forces, and between 30 September and 6 October, Ukrainian forces had destroyed 24 out of 46 launched.<ref name=nw1>{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Impelli |first=Matthew |date=6 October 2022 |title=Half of Russia's Iranian-made drones obliterated in one week: Ukraine |url=https://www.newsweek.com/half-russias-iranian-made-drones-obliterated-one-week-ukraine-1749700 |access-date=17 December 2022 |website=[[Newsweek]] |archive-date=17 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221217210405/https://www.newsweek.com/half-russias-iranian-made-drones-obliterated-one-week-ukraine-1749700 |url-status=live}}</ref> On 8 October, it was announced that [[General of the Army]] [[Sergey Surovikin]] would be commanding all Russian forces on the strength of his novel air assault technique.<ref name="alar1">{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Russia names new commander of its forces engaged in Ukraine |url=https://english.alarabiya.net/News/world/2022/10/08/Russia-names-new-commander-of-its-forces-engaged-in-Ukraine |agency=[[Al-Arabiya]] |date=8 October 2022 |access-date=8 October 2022 |archive-date=30 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221030140959/https://english.alarabiya.net/News/world/2022/10/08/Russia-names-new-commander-of-its-forces-engaged-in-Ukraine |url-status=live}}</ref> On 16 October, ''[[The Washington Post]]'' reported that Iran was planning to supply Russia with drones and missiles.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Warrick |first1=Joby |last2=Nakashima |first2=Ellen |last3=Harris |first3=Shane |date=16 October 2022 |title=Iran plans to send missiles, drones to Russia for Ukraine war, officials say |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2022/10/16/iran-russia-missiles-ukraine/ }}</ref> On 18 October, the US State Department accused Iran of violating [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231|Resolution 2231]] by selling [[Shahed 131]] and [[Shahed 136]] drones to Russia,<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=18 October 2022 |title=Ukraine war: US says Iranian drones breach sanctions |work=[[BBC News]] |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-63294698 }}</ref> agreeing with France and the UK. Iran denied sending arms for the Ukraine war.<ref name="CNN: Iran denies supplying Russia with weapons for use in Ukraine">{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Kennedy |first1=Niamh |last2=Mahmoodi |first2=Negar |last3=Kottasová |first3=Ivana |last4=Raine |first4=Andrew |date=16 October 2022 |title=Iran denies supplying Russia with weapons for use in Ukraine |work=[[CNN]] |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/15/europe/iran-denies-supplying-russia-weapons-ukraine-intl-hnk/index.html |access-date=18 October 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230912064217/https://edition.cnn.com/2022/10/15/europe/iran-denies-supplying-russia-weapons-ukraine-intl-hnk/index.html |archive-date=12 September 2023}}</ref> On 22 October, France, Britain, and Germany called for a UN investigation.<ref name="f24-20221022">{{#invoke:cite|news|date=22 October 2022 |title=European countries urge UN probe of Iran drones in Ukraine |work=[[France 24]] |agency=[[Agence France-Presse]] |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20221022-european-countries-urge-un-probe-of-iran-drones-in-ukraine |access-date=5 November 2022 }}</ref> On 1 November, CNN reported that Iran was preparing to send ballistic missiles and other weapons to Russia for use in Ukraine.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Atwood |first=Kylie |date=1 November 2022 |title=Iran is preparing to send additional weapons including ballistic missiles to Russia to use in Ukraine, western officials say |work=[[CNN]] |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/01/politics/iran-missiles-russia/index.html |access-date=29 November 2022 }}</ref>

On 15 November 2022, Russia fired 85 missiles at the [[Electricity in Ukraine|Ukrainian power grid]], causing [[power outage]]s in Kyiv and neighbouring regions.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/11/15/barrage-of-russian-missiles-causes-blackouts-across-ukraine |title=Barrage of Russian missiles causes blackouts across Ukraine: Ukraine's energy minister says the wave of attacks was the biggest bombardment of power facilities in war so far |date=17 November 2022 |work=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]] }}</ref> In March 2023, ''The New York Times'' reported that Russia had used new hypersonic missiles in a massive missile attack on Ukraine. Such missiles are more effective in evading conventional Ukrainian anti-missile defences.<ref name=nyt2>{{#invoke:cite|news|work=[[The New York Times]] |date=10 March 2023 |title=Russia Fires Hypersonic Missiles in Largest Air Assault in Weeks |first=Andrew E. |last=Kramer}}</ref>

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 doctrine, intended to demoralise the population and force the Ukrainian leadership to capitulate.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|work=[[The Kyiv Independent]] |date=1 December 2022 |title=UK Defense Ministry: Russia's strategy of attacking Ukraine's critical infrastructure becoming less effective |url=https://kyivindependent.com/news-feed/uk-defense-ministry-russias-strategy-of-attacking-ukraines-critical-infrastructure-becoming-less-effective }}</ref> According to the [[Royal United Services Institute]], half of Ukraine's electricity production capacity had been destroyed.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Cranny-Evans |first1=Sam |title=Bracing for the Hardest Winter: Protecting Ukraine's Energy Infrastructure |url=https://www.rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/commentary/bracing-hardest-winter-protecting-ukraines-energy-infrastructure |work=[[Royal United Services Institute]] |date=24 June 2024 }}</ref>

On 8 July 2024, Russia used a [[Kh-101]] missile<ref name="bc8">{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.bellingcat.com/news/2024/07/09/russian-missile-identified-in-kyiv-childrens-hospital-attack/ |title=Russian Missile Identified in Kyiv Children's Hospital Attack|work=Bellingcat|date=9 July 2024}}</ref> to kill two and injure 16 at the [[Okhmatdyt|Okhmatdyt Children's Hospital]] in Kyiv.<ref name="ap8">{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-kyiv-bombing-hospital-cancer-0ac47b944af2ed20d840563727836f53 |title=Russian missile attack on Ukraine's largest hospital complicates treatment of kids with cancer |first=Hanna |last=Arhirova |work=[[Associated Press|AP]] |date=11 July 2024 |access-date=18 May 2025 }}</ref><ref name="cnn8">{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/08/europe/ukraine-russian-strike-childrens-hospital-intl/index.html |title=Ukrainian children's hospital attacked as Russian strikes on cities kill at least 43 |first1=Svitlana |last1=Vlasova |first2=Daria |last2=Tarasova-Markina |first3=Maria |last3=Kostenko |first4=Victoria |last4=Butenko |first5=Lauren |last5=Said-Moorhouse |work=[[CNN]] |date=8 July 2024 |access-date=18 May 2025 }}</ref><ref name="bbc8">{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cl4y1pjk2dzo |title=Children's hospital hit as Russian strikes kill dozens in Ukraine |first1=Rob |last1=Corp |first2=Kyla |last2=Herrmannsen |work=[[BBC News]] |date=8 July 2024 |access-date=18 May 2025 }}</ref><ref name="cbc8">{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/ukraine-war-kyiv-childrens-hospital-1.7256892 |title=Russian airstrikes kill at least 41 in Ukraine, damage Kyiv children's hospital |work=[[CBC News]] |date=8 July 2024 |access-date=18 May 2025 }}</ref> At least 20 civilians were killed in Kyiv that night.<ref name="peu8">{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/russians-attack-the-largest-childrens-hospital-in-kyiv-with-a-ballistic-missile/ |title=Russia bombs children's hospital as missiles kill dozens across Ukraine |first=Veronika |last=Melkozerova |work=[[Politico]] |date=8 July 2024 |access-date=18 May 2025 }}</ref>

In late 2024, Russia switched from attacking energy distribution infrastructure to striking power stations, affecting 15% of Ukraine's pre-war generating capacity. From the summer of 2025, attacks switched back to infrastructure with a much greater number of drones and ballistic missiles. Strikes were also made on Ukrainian gas production, with 60% of its capacity destroyed in October 2025.<ref name="Chathamhouse_Nov2025">{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Lough |first=John |date=10 November 2025 |title=Ukraine's best defence against Putin's energy war is more attacks on Russia's oil refining sector |url=https://www.chathamhouse.org/2025/11/ukraines-best-defence-against-putins-energy-war-more-attacks-russias-oil-refining-sector |website=chathamhouse.org |location=London |publisher=Chatham House, The Royal Institute of International Affairs |access-date=20 November 2025}}</ref>

==== Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil production ====
In 2025, Ukraine intensified efforts to disrupt Russian oil production and export facilities, using drone and missile strikes assisted by Western targeting intelligence. By late October 2025, an estimated 50% of Russia's 38 major refineries had been hit more than once. The result has been an estimated drop in oil production of between 10 and 15%, leading to raised domestic fuel prices and shortages in some regions.<ref name="Chathamhouse_Nov2025"/>

=== Naval blockade and engagements ===
{{Main|Naval warfare in the Russo-Ukrainian war (2022–present)}}

[[File:Stamp of Ukraine s1985.jpg|thumb|Commemorative stamp about the phrase ''[[Russian warship, go fuck yourself!]]'']]
[[File:Russian cruiser Moskva.jpg|thumb|The Russian Black Sea flagship ''[[Russian cruiser Moskva|Moskva]]'' was sunk on 14 April 2022, reportedly after being hit by two Ukrainian [[R-360 Neptune|Neptune]] [[anti-ship missile]]s.]]
On 28 February 2022, Turkey invoked the 1936 [[Montreux Convention]] and sealed off the [[Bosphorus]] and [[Dardanelles]] straits to Russian warships that were not registered to [[Black Sea]] home bases and returning to their ports of origin. It specifically denied passage to four Russian naval vessels.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=2 March 2022 |title=Russia cancelled Black Sea passage bid of four warships: Turkey |publisher=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]] |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/3/2/russia-cancelled-black-sea-passage-bid-warships-turkey |access-date=29 March 2022 }}
* {{#invoke:cite|news|last=Tavsan |first=Sinan |date=2 March 2022 |title=Turkey rejects Russia's request for navy ships to pass Bosporus |work=[[Nikkei Asia]] |url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Ukraine-war/Turkey-rejects-Russia-s-request-for-navy-ships-to-pass-Bosporus |access-date=17 March 2022 }}
* {{#invoke:cite|news|date=28 February 2022 |title=Turkey to implement pact limiting Russian warships to Black Sea |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/turkey-implement-international-pact-access-shipping-straits-due-ukraine-war-2022-02-27/ |access-date=17 March 2022 |work=[[Reuters]] }}</ref> On 24 February, the [[State Border Guard Service of Ukraine]] announced that Russian Navy ships had begun an [[Snake Island campaign|attack on Snake Island]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Boruah |first1=Manash Pratim |last2=Karle |first2=Prathamesh |last3=Tringham |first3=Kate |date=25 February 2022 |title=Russian attacks on Ukraine's coast threaten loss of key naval bases as well as critical shipbuilding facilities |work=[[Jane's Defence Weekly]] |url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/russian-attacks-on-ukraines-coast-threaten-loss-of-key-naval-bases-as-well-as-critical-shipbuilding-facilities }}</ref> The guided missile cruiser and flagship of the [[Black Sea Fleet]], {{ship|Russian cruiser|Moskva||2}} and patrol boat {{ship|Russian patrol boat|Vasily Bykov||2}} bombarded the island.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=24 February 2022 |title=Russian Navy Captures Ukraine's Outpost on Snake Island |work=The Maritime Executive |url=https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/russian-navy-captures-ukraine-s-outpost-on-snake-island |url-status=live |access-date=25 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225100645/https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/russian-navy-captures-ukraine-s-outpost-on-snake-island |archive-date=25 February 2022}}</ref> The Russian warship instructed the Ukrainians on the island to surrender. Their response was "[[Russian warship, go fuck yourself|Russian warship, go fuck yourself!]]"<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Lister |first1=Tim |last2=Pennington |first2=Josh |date=24 February 2022 |title=February 24, 2022 Russia-Ukraine news |at=Entry: Audio emerges appearing to be of Ukrainian fighters defending island from Russian warship |publisher=[[CNN]] |url=https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-news-02-24-22-intl/h_2e17e59214679efefede60d5fb481432 |url-status=live |access-date=25 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225020216/https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-news-02-24-22-intl/h_2e17e59214679efefede60d5fb481432 |archive-date=25 February 2022}}
* {{#invoke:cite|web|title="Russkyy korablʹ, ydy na kh.y!": zakhysnyky Zmiyinoho vidpovily vorohovi |script-title=uk:"Русский корабль, иди на х.й!": захисники Зміїного відповіли ворогові |trans-title='Russian ship, go on f.y!': Defenders of the Serpent responded to the enemy |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2022/02/25/7325592/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225021042/https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2022/02/25/7325592/ |archive-date=25 February 2022 |access-date=25 February 2022 |website=[[Ukrainska Pravda]] |language=uk}}
</ref> After the bombardment, Russian soldiers landed and took control of [[Snake Island (Ukraine)|Snake Island]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Visontay |first=Elias |date=25 February 2022 |title=Ukraine soldiers told Russian officer 'go fuck yourself' before they died on island |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/25/ukraine-soldiers-told-russians-to-go-fuck-yourself-before-black-sea-island-death |url-status=live |access-date=25 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225102114/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/25/ukraine-soldiers-told-russians-to-go-fuck-yourself-before-black-sea-island-death |archive-date=25 February 2022}}</ref> Russia said on 26 February that US drones had supplied intelligence to the Ukrainian navy to help it target Russian warships in the Black Sea. The US denied this.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Hodge |first1=Nathan |last2=Cotovio |first2=Vasco |last3=Lieberman |first3=Oren |date=26 February 2022 |title=Pentagon denies Russia's claim that it's "highly likely" US used surveillance drones to help Ukrainian navy |url=https://edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-news-02-26-22#h_b669a7b9f3668b9579d3cb72c52647ac |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220227/https://edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-news-02-26-22/h_b669a7b9f3668b9579d3cb72c52647ac |archive-date=27 February 2022 |work=[[CNN]]}}</ref>

By 3 March, Ukrainian forces in Mykolaiv [[scuttled]] the frigate {{ship|Ukrainian frigate|Hetman Sahaidachny||2}}, the flagship of the Ukrainian navy, to prevent its capture.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Evans |first=Michael |title=Ukraine scuttles its flagship frigate as the Russians close in |work=[[The Times]] |date=4 March 2022 |url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/russia-ukraine-war/article/ukraine-scuttles-its-flagship-frigate-as-the-russians-close-in-wtd07bbqp |access-date=4 March 2022}}
* {{#invoke:cite|news|date=4 March 2022 |title=Frehat Ukrayiny "Hetʹman Sahaydachnyy" vyvedenyy z ladu |script-title=uk:Фрегат України "Гетьман Сагайдачний" виведений з ладу |language=uk |trans-title=The frigate of Ukraine "Hetman Sagaidachny" is out of order |publisher=[[Armed Forces of Ukraine]] |url=https://mil.in.ua/uk/news/fregat-ukrayiny-getman-sagajdachnyj-vyvedenyj-z-ladu/ |access-date=28 March 2022 }}
* {{#invoke:cite|news|title=Hetman Sahaidachny frigate, being under repair, flooded not to get to enemy – Reznikov |publisher=[[Interfax Ukraine]] |date=4 March 2022 |url=https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/806837.html |access-date=4 March 2022 }}</ref> On 24 March, Ukrainian officials said that a Russian [[Alligator-class landing ship|landing ship]] docked in Berdiansk was destroyed by a Ukrainian rocket attack.<ref name="CNN-Berdyansk"/><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Polityuk |first1=Pavel |last2=Heritage |first2=Timothy |date=24 March 2022 |title=Ukraine says it has destroyed a large Russian landing ship |work=[[Reuters]] |editor-last=Heavens |editor-first=Andrew |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-says-it-has-destroyed-large-russian-landing-ship-2022-03-24/ |access-date=24 March 2022 }}</ref> In March 2022, the UN [[International Maritime Organization]] (IMO) sought to create a safe sea corridor for commercial vessels to leave Ukrainian ports.<ref name="reuters-20220312">{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Saul |first=Jonathan |date=12 March 2022 |title=UN to work on safe corridor for ships stranded by Ukraine conflict |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/un-work-safe-corridor-ships-stranded-by-ukraine-conflict-2022-03-12/ |access-date=22 May 2022 }}</ref> On 27 March, Russia established a sea corridor {{convert|80|mi|km}} long and {{convert|3|mi|km}} wide through its [[Maritime Exclusion Zone]], for the transit of merchant vessels from the edge of Ukrainian territorial waters southeast of Odesa.<ref name="westpoint-20220412">{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Pedrozo |first=Raul |date=12 April 2022 |title=Ukraine Symposium – Maritime Exclusion Zones in Armed Conflicts |url=https://lieber.westpoint.edu/maritime-exclusion-zones-armed-conflicts/ |access-date=22 May 2022 |website=West Point |publisher=[[United States Military Academy]] }}</ref><ref name="imo-20220328">{{#invoke:cite|web|date=28 March 2022 |title=Communication from the Government of the Russian Federation |url=https://wwwcdn.imo.org/localresources/en/MediaCentre/HotTopics/Documents/Black%20Sea%20and%20Sea%20of%20Azov%20-%20Member%20States%20and%20Associate%20Members%20Communications/Circular%20Letter%20No.4543%20-%20Communication%20From%20The%20Government%20Of%20The%20Russian%20Federation%20(Secretariat).pdf |access-date=8 June 2022 |website=Mission of the Russian Federation to the IMO |publisher=[[International Maritime Organization]] |id=Circular Letter No.4543 }}</ref>

The ''Moskva'' was, according to Ukrainian sources and a US senior official,<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=16 April 2022 |title=Russia-Ukraine war latest: Ukraine PM to head to Washington; Russian warship sunk by Ukraine missile strike, say US officials – live |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2022/apr/16/russia-ukraine-war-latest-ukraine-pm-to-head-to-washington-russian-warship-sunk-by-ukraine-missile-strike-say-us-officials-live |access-date=16 April 2022 |issn=0261-3077 }}</ref> hit on 13 April by two Ukrainian [[R-360 Neptune|Neptune anti-ship cruise missiles]]. The Russian Defence Ministry said the warship had suffered serious damage from a munition explosion caused by a fire and that its crew had been evacuated.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=14 April 2022 |title=Russia confirms severe damage to Black Sea Fleet Flagship Moskva, Crew Abandoned Ship |work=[[The Free Press Journal]] |url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/world/russia-confirms-severe-damage-to-black-sea-fleet-flagship-moskva-crew-abandoned-ship |access-date=14 April 2022 }}
</ref> Pentagon spokesman John Kirby reported on 14 April that satellite images showed that the Russian warship had suffered a sizeable explosion onboard but was heading to the east for expected repairs in [[Sevastopol]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Forgey |first=Quint |date=14 April 2022 |title=Pentagon confirms explosion aboard Russian warship |work=[[Politico]] |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2022/04/14/pentagon-explosion-russian-warship-00025243 |access-date=14 April 2022 }}</ref> Later the same day, the Russian Ministry of Defence stated that the [[Sinking of the Moskva|''Moskva'' had sunk]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=14 April 2022 |title=Russian warship Moskva has sunk – state media |work=[[BBC News]] |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61114843 |access-date=14 April 2022 }}</ref> On 15 April, Reuters reported that Russia launched an apparent retaliatory missile strike against the missile factory [[Luch Design Bureau]] in Kyiv, where the Neptune missiles used in the ''Moskva'' attack were manufactured.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Polityuk |first1=Pavel |last2=Piper |first2=Elizabeth |date=15 April 2022 |title=Ukraine says fighting rages in Mariupol, blasts rattle Kyiv |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/powerful-explosions-heard-kyiv-after-russian-warship-sinks-2022-04-15/ }}</ref> On 5 May, a US official confirmed that the US gave "a range of intelligence" to assist in the sinking.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=6 May 2022 |title=US intelligence helped Ukraine sink Russia's flagship cruiser Moskva |work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]] |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-05-06/us-intelligence-leads-to-ukraine-sinking-russia-moskva-missile/101044452 }}</ref>

On 1 June, Russian Foreign Minister [[Sergey Lavrov]] asserted that Ukraine's policy of mining its own harbours to impede Russian maritime aggression had contributed to the food export crisis, saying: "If Kyiv solves the problem of demining ports, the Russian Navy will ensure the unimpeded passage of ships with grain to the Mediterranean Sea."<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=31 May 2022 |title=Lavrov said Russians would let through ships carrying grain if Ukraine demined ports |work=[[Yahoo! News]] |agency=[[Ukrainska Pravda]] |url=https://news.yahoo.com/lavrov-said-russians-let-ships-103100228.html |access-date=1 June 2022 }}</ref> On 23 July, CNBC reported a Russian missile strike on the Ukrainian port of Odesa, swiftly condemned by world leaders amid a recent [[Black Sea Grain Initiative|UN- and Turkish-brokered deal]] to secure a sea corridor for exports of foodstuffs.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=22 July 2022 |title=Russia, Ukraine seal grain deal in Istanbul |work=[[Le Monde]] |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2022/07/22/russia-ukraine-seal-grain-deal-in-istanbul_5991090_4.html |access-date=2 August 2022 }}
* {{#invoke:cite|news|last=Macias |first=Amanda |date=23 July 2022 |title='He simply cannot be trusted:' World leaders slam Putin's attack on Odesa following sea corridor deal |work=[[CNBC]] |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/07/23/world-leaders-slam-putins-attack-on-odesa-following-sea-corridor-deal.html |access-date=1 October 2023 }}</ref>

On 26 December 2023, Ukraine's air force attacked the [[Russian landing ship Novocherkassk|Russian landing ship ''Novocherkassk'']] docked in [[Feodosia]]. Ukraine said it was destroyed, a claim that independent analysts confirmed. Russian authorities claimed that two attacking aircraft were destroyed.<ref name="strikes_2023_12_26_reuters">Osborn, Andrew and Max Hunder: [https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-carries-out-air-assault-crimeas-port-feodosia-2023-12-26/ "Ukraine strikes Russian naval landing warship, Moscow admits damage,"], 26 December 2023, [[Reuters]]; [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXmjRq13-VI video and transcript on YouTube]; also at [[NBC News]] as [https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/ukraine-strikes-russian-naval-landing-warship-crimea-rcna131156 "Ukraine strikes Russian naval landing warship in Crimea,"] retrieved 26 December 2023</ref><ref name="attack_2023_12_26_foxnews">Dorgan, Michael: [https://www.foxnews.com/world/ukraine-missile-attack-hits-russian-warship-crimea-killing-least-1 "Ukraine missile attack strikes Russian warship in Crimea, killing at least 1: The landing ship, called Novocherkassk, was hit at a base in the city of Feodosia by plane-launched guided missiles, the Russian ministry said,"] 26 December 2023, [[Fox News]], retrieved 26 December 2023</ref><ref name="strikes_2023_12_26_wsj_com">Lovett, Ian: [https://www.wsj.com/world/ukraine-strikes-russian-warship-in-crimea-in-another-blow-to-moscows-black-sea-fleet-ffe327d8 "Ukraine Strikes Russian Warship in Crimea, in Another Blow to Moscow's Black Sea Fleet: Kyiv shows it can land blows deep behind Russian lines as the ground war edges toward stalemate,"], 26 December 2023, ''[[The Wall Street Journal]],'' retrieved 26 December 2023</ref> On 31 January 2024, Ukrainian sea drones struck the Russian [[Tarantul-class corvette]] Ivanovets in the Black Sea, causing the ship to sink.<ref name="The Telegraph 2024 e989">{{#invoke:cite|web|title=Watch: Ukraine sinks Russian warship in Black Sea drone strike |website=The Telegraph |date=1 February 2024 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/02/01/ukraine-sinks-russian-warship-black-sea-drone-strike/ |access-date=1 February 2024}}</ref><ref name="Greenall 2024 j308">{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Greenall |first=Robert |title=Ukraine 'hits Russian missile boat Ivanovets in Black Sea' |website=BBC Home |date=1 February 2024 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-68165523 |access-date=1 February 2024}}</ref> On 14 February, the same type of Ukrainian sea drones struck and sank the [[Russian ship Tsezar Kunikov|Russian landing ship ''Tsezar Kunikov'']].<ref name="Goryashko 2024 x892">{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Goryashko |first=Sergey |date=14 February 2024 |title=Ukraine sinks Russian ship off Crimean coast |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/ukraine-sinks-russian-ship-off-crimean-coast/ |access-date=14 February 2024 |website=Politico}}</ref><ref name="Tom Balmforth 2024 k016">{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Tom Balmforth |first=Pavel Polityuk |title=Ukraine says it sank Russian large landing warship in Black Sea |website=Reuters |date=14 February 2024 |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukrainian-forces-destroy-large-russian-landing-ship-military-says-2024-02-14/ |access-date=14 February 2024}}</ref>

=== Ukrainian resistance ===
{{Main|Ukrainian resistance in Russian-occupied Ukraine}}

{{See also|2022 protests in Russian-occupied Ukraine}}
[[File:Reporter’s Notebook - Thriving Kyiv Becomes Battle Zone, Almost Overnight 03 (cropped).jpg|thumb|Civilians in Kyiv preparing [[Molotov cocktails]], 26 February 2022]]
Ukrainian civilians resisted the Russian invasion by volunteering for territorial defence units, making [[Molotov cocktail]]s, donating food, building barriers like [[Czech hedgehog]]s,<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Raghavan |first1=Sudarsan |last2=O'Grady |first2=Siobhán |last3=Shefte |first3=Whitney |last4=Khudov |first4=Kostiantyn |date=28 February 2022 |title=In a Kyiv under siege, neighbors dig trenches and raise barriers to brace for Russian assault |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/02/28/ukraine-russia-kyiv-defense/ |url-status=live |url-access=limited |access-date=30 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220301011750/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/02/28/ukraine-russia-kyiv-defense/ |archive-date=1 March 2022 |issn=0190-8286 |oclc=2269358}}</ref> and helping to transport refugees.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Kirby |first=Jen |date=3 March 2022 |title=The other members of Ukraine's resistance |url=https://www.vox.com/22956752/ukraine-resistance-volunteers-russia-invasion |access-date=10 March 2022 |website=[[Vox (website)|Vox]]}}</ref> Responding to a call from [[State Agency of Automobile Roads of Ukraine|Ukravtodor]], Ukraine's transportation agency, civilians dismantled or altered road signs,<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Doubek |first=James |date=1 March 2022 |title=Road signs direct expletives at the Russian military |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/03/01/1083644721/ukraine-russian-soldiers-road-signs-billboards |website=NPR}}</ref> constructed makeshift barriers, and blocked roadways.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Bella |first=Timothy |date=26 February 2022 |title=Ukrainian agency, urging removal of road signs, posts fake photo with a colorful message for Russia |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/02/26/ukraine-russia-roads-signs-facebook/ |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref> Social media reports showed spontaneous street [[2022 protests in Russian-occupied Ukraine|protests against Russian forces]] in occupied settlements, often evolving into verbal altercations and physical standoffs with Russian troops.<ref name="yes!">{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Hunter |first=Daniel |date=1 March 2022 |title=How Ukrainian Civilians Are Resisting Military Force |work=[[Yes! (U.S. magazine)|YES! Magazine]] |url=https://www.yesmagazine.org/democracy/2022/03/01/ukraine-civilian-resistance |access-date=8 March 2022}}</ref>

People physically blocked Russian military vehicles, sometimes forcing them to retreat.<ref name="yes!"/><ref>
{{#invoke:cite|news|date=28 February 2022 |title=Ukrainian Civilians Take On Russian Invaders With Words And Deeds |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-civil-resistance-russian-aggression/31728966.html |access-date=8 March 2022 |publisher=[[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]]}}
* {{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Schwirtz |first1=Michael |last2=Santora |first2=Marc |last3=Hill |first3=Evan |last4=Cardia |first4=Alexander |date=5 March 2022 |title=Ukrainian protesters take to the streets in occupied Kherson. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/05/world/europe/kherson-protests-ukraine.html |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220305160437/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/05/world/europe/kherson-protests-ukraine.html |archive-date=5 March 2022 |access-date=8 March 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]] |issn=1553-8095 |oclc=1645522}}</ref> The Russian soldiers' response to unarmed civilian resistance varied from reluctance to engage the protesters,<ref name="yes!"/> to firing directly into crowds.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Murphy |first1=Paul P. |last2=Lister |first2=Tim |last3=Mezzofiore |first3=Gianluca |last4=Voitovych |first4=Olga |name-list-style=and |date=5 March 2022 |title=Ukrainian authorities accuse Russians of opening fire on civilian protest |url=https://edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-putin-news-03-05-22#h_c9644300c3986a3e19e31dcb6188abdf |access-date=8 March 2022 |work=[[CNN International]]}}</ref> To facilitate Ukrainian attacks, civilians reported Russian military positions via a [[Telegram (software)|Telegram]] chatbot and [[Diia]], a Ukrainian government app. In response, Russian forces began destroying mobile phone network equipment, searching door-to-door for smartphones and computers, and, in at least one case, killed a civilian who had pictures of Russian tanks.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Judah |first=Tim |date=10 April 2022 |title=How Kyiv was saved by Ukrainian ingenuity as well as Russian blunders |work=[[Financial Times]] |url=https://www.ft.com/content/e87fdc60-0d5e-4d39-93c6-7cfd22f770e8 |access-date=7 June 2025}}</ref>

===Energy infrastructure===
{{See also|Russian strikes against Ukrainian infrastructure|Russian sabotage operations in Europe#Energy and infrastructure}}
[[File:Fire at an energy infrastructure facility after Russian shelling, 2022-09-11 (01).jpg|thumb|Fire at a power plant in Kharkiv after a Russian strike, September 2022]]

Throughout the war Russia and Ukraine have attacked each other's energy infrastructure. Ukrainian power generation and heating facilities and Russia's pipelines and refineries were hit.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|title=What is the Real Cost and Benefit of Ukrainian Attacks on Russian Refining? |url=https://carnegieendowment.org/russia-eurasia/politika/2024/06/russia-oil-refining-attacks?lang=en |website=Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center | date=25 June 2024 |access-date=28 August 2025}}</ref><ref name=gas_infra/>

As a reaction to [[International recognition of the Donetsk People's Republic and the Luhansk People's Republic|Russia's recognition of the occupied Ukrainian territories in Donetsk and Luhansk]], Germany suspended its certification of the [[Nord Stream 2]] pipeline on 22 February 2022.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Scholz zu Russland-Sanktionen: Deutschland stoppt Nord Stream 2 |trans-title=Scholz on Russia sanctions: Germany stops Nord Stream 2 |date=22 February 2022 |work=ZDFheute |publisher=Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen |language=de |url=https://www.zdf.de/nachrichten/politik/scholz-russland-ukraine-100.html |access-date=24 August 2022 }}</ref> In September 2022 the inactive Nord Stream pipeline between Russia and Germany was [[Nord Stream pipelines sabotage|sabotaged]], destroying three of the four pipelines. {{As of|August 2025}}, no party has claimed nor admitted responsibility, and investigations are ongoing. A Ukrainian national was arrested in August 2025 on suspicion of being involved.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Lehberger |first1=Roman |last2=Schmid |first2=Fidelius |date=21 August 2025 |title=(S+) Nord Stream: Mutmaßlicher Angreifer auf Ostseepipelines gefasst |url=https://www.spiegel.de/panorama/nord-stream-mutmasslicher-angreifer-auf-ostsee-pipelines-gefasst-a-1d2b82ee-961c-4d81-b167-2fb7637d582b |access-date=21 August 2025 |work=Der Spiegel |language=de |issn=2195-1349}}</ref> As part of the [[economic sanctions]] against Russia for its war, the [[EU Commission]] has banned the use of the Nord Stream pipelines.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|url= https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_25_1840 |website= ec.europa.eu |title= EU adopts 18th package of sanctions against Russia |date= 18 July 2025 |access-date= 22 July 2025}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|url= https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/07/18/eu-agrees-new-sanctions-on-russias-oil-and-banks-after-robert-fico-lifts-his-veto |website= euronews.com |title= EU imposes new sanctions on Russia's oil and banks after Robert Fico lifts his veto |date= 18 July 2025 |access-date= 22 July 2025}}</ref>

Pipelines carrying natural gas and oil from Russia to Central Europe continued to operate during the war in a reduced manner. They have been attacked several times; in May 2025 both sides accused each other of attacking gas infrastructure in Russia's Kursk Oblast. In August 2025 Ukraine repeatedly attacked pumping stations of Russia's [[Druzhba pipeline]], interrupting oil supply to Hungary and Slovakia,<ref name=gas_infra>{{#invoke:cite|web|last1=Polityuk |first1=Pavel |last2=Komuves |first2=Anita |last3=Dvorakova |first3=Vera |date=22 August 2025 |title=Ukrainian attack suspends Russian oil flows to Hungary, Slovakia |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/ukrainian-attack-suspends-russian-oil-flows-hungary-slovakia-2025-08-22/ |website=Reuters |location=Kyiv/Budapest |publisher=Thomson Reuters |access-date=23 August 2025}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|date=28 March 2025 |title=Russia says Ukraine 'virtually destroys' gas infrastructure in Sudzha |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-says-ukraine-virtually-destroys-key-sudzha-gas-station-2025-03-28/ |website=Reuters |location=Moscow |publisher=Thomson Reuters |access-date=23 August 2025}}</ref> while the same month a Russian attack on Ukrainian energy infrastructure left more than 100,000 households without electricity.<ref name="u402">{{#invoke:cite|web| title=More than 100,000 Ukrainian homes lose power after Russia targets energy sites | website=France 24 | date=27 August 2025 | url=https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20250827-more-than-100-000-ukrainian-homes-lose-power-as-russia-targets-energy-sites | access-date=30 August 2025}}</ref>

By 28 August 2025, Ukraine's campaign to strike at Russia's petroleum industry had hit ten oil refineries and was estimated by [[Reuters]] to have disrupted Russia's refinery capacity by at least 17% or 1.1 million barrels a day.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|url= https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/russia-says-it-put-out-fire-large-oil-refinery-after-latest-ukrainian-drone-2025-08-28/ |work= [[Reuters]] |title= Russia says it put out fire at large oil refinery after latest Ukrainian drone attack |date= 25 August 2025 |access-date= 30 August 2025}}</ref> The effect was a fuel crisis in Crimea and both southern and far eastern regions with price surges and dry gas stations.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|url= https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/27/frustrated-russians-grapple-with-fuel-crisis-as-ukraine-attacks-oil-refineries |work= theguardian.com |title= Frustrated Russians grapple with fuel crisis as Ukraine attacks oil refineries |first= Pjotr |last= Sauer |date= 27 August 2025 |access-date= 30 August 2025}}</ref> In September 2025 the [[International Energy Agency]] stated that Russia's revenues from [[Petroleum industry in Russia|oil product exports]] had in August declined to five-year lows, contributing to Russia's economic slowdown.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|url= https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/russias-oil-fuel-export-revenue-fell-august-iea-says-2025-09-11/ |website= reuters.com |title= Russia's oil and fuel export revenue fell in August, IEA says |date= 11 September 2025 |access-date= 11 September 2025}}</ref> Acknowledging Russia's strained [[Energy in Russia|energy system]], President [[Vladimir Putin]] pointed to Russia's [[Coal in Russia|coal reserves]] to offset its gas shortage, insufficient infrastructure, and underdeveloped grid economy.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|url= https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-economy-putin-coal-gas-shortage-crisis-ukraine-drone-strikes-2025-9 |website= businessinsider.com |title= Putin's energy fix for drone-hit Russia: Dig up more coal |first= Huileng |last= Tan |date= 11 September 2025 |access-date= 11 September 2025}}</ref>

Following its 14 September 2025 attack on Russia's second-largest refinery, [[Kinef]], the [[General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces]] claimed to be "working 'systematically' to weaken Russia's military and economic capabilities with a particular focus on fuel, weapons, and ammunition production."<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|url= https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/world/drones-strike-russias-major-export-oriented-oil-refinery/article70048651.ece |via= [[Business Line]] |work= [[Bloomberg L.P.|Bloomberg]] |title= Drones strike Russia's major export-oriented oil refinery |date= 14 September 2025 |access-date= 14 September 2025}}</ref>

== Foreign involvement ==
{{Main|Foreign involvement in the Russo-Ukrainian war (2022–present)}}

=== Support for Ukraine ===
{{Main|Military aid to Ukraine during the Russo-Ukrainian war}}

{{further|List of military aid to Ukraine during the Russo-Ukrainian war|International sanctions during the Russian invasion of Ukraine|International Legion (Ukraine)}}
[[File:Delivering military aid to Ukraine - detailed.svg|thumb|upright=1.5|{{center|'''Countries that have delivered military aid to Ukraine'''}}{{legend|#0071b2|Heavy weaponry}}{{legend|#75abd0|Light weaponry}}{{legend|#67f03c|Non-lethal materiel}}{{legend|#feda77|Non-materiel}}{{legend|#893f9e|Ukraine}}]]

Many countries have supplied military aid to Ukraine, including weaponry, equipment, training, and logistical support. Several imposed limited sanctions on Russia in the prelude to the invasion and applied new sanctions when the invasion began, intending to cripple the Russian economy;<ref name="DA">{{#invoke:cite|web|last1=Melander |first1=Ingrid |last2=Gabriela |first2=Baczynska |date=24 February 2022 |title=EU targets Russian economy after 'deluded autocrat' Putin invades Ukraine |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/eu-launch-new-sanctions-against-russia-over-barbaric-attack-ukraine-2022-02-24/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226002323/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/eu-launch-new-sanctions-against-russia-over-barbaric-attack-ukraine-2022-02-24/ |archive-date=26 February 2022 |access-date=26 February 2022 |website=[[Reuters]]}}
* {{#invoke:cite|web|date=25 February 2022 |title=Western Countries Agree To Add Putin, Lavrov To Sanctions List |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/eu-sanctions-putin-lavrov/31723682.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226005425/https://www.rferl.org/a/eu-sanctions-putin-lavrov/31723682.html |archive-date=26 February 2022 |access-date=26 February 2022 |publisher=[[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]]}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Funakoshi |first1=Minami |last2=Lawson |first2=Hugh |last3=Deka |first3=Kannaki |date=9 March 2022 |title=Tracking sanctions against Russia |url=https://graphics.reuters.com/UKRAINE-CRISIS/SANCTIONS/byvrjenzmve/ |access-date=28 May 2022 |work=[[Reuters]]}}</ref> sanctions targeted individuals, banks, businesses, monetary exchanges, exports, and imports.<ref name="DA"/>

[[File:Fumio Kishida at the issuance of the Joint Declaration on Assistance to Ukraine at the 2023 NATO Summit (3).jpg|thumb|Ukrainian president [[Volodymyr Zelenskyy]] and Western leaders at the [[2023 Vilnius summit|NATO Summit in Vilnius]] on 12 July 2023]]

Military assistance has mostly been co-ordinated through the [[Ukraine Defence Contact Group]], whose more than fifty countries include all 32 [[Member states of NATO|member states]] of [[NATO]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|title=NATO's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine |url=https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_192648.htm |access-date=27 October 2022 |website=[[NATO]]}}</ref> From January 2022 to January 2024, $380 billion in aid to Ukraine was tracked by the [[Kiel Institute for the World Economy|Kiel Institute]].<ref name="cnn-aid">{{#invoke:cite|news|first1=Rachel|last1=Wilson|first2=Lou|last2=Robinson|first3=Henrik |last3=Pettersson|date=20 March 2024 |title=Ukraine aid: Where the money is coming from, in 4 charts |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2023/10/05/world/ukraine-money-military-aid-intl-dg/index.html |work=CNN}}</ref> European countries have provided the most aid in total (military, financial and humanitarian).<ref name="CNN US investment">{{#invoke:cite|news|date=21 September 2023|last=Wolf|first=Zachary|title=$113 billion: Where the US investment in Ukraine aid has gone |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2023/09/21/politics/war-funding-ukraine-what-matters/index.html |work=CNN}}</ref> Estonia and Denmark have provided the most military aid as a share of GDP.<ref name="CFR"/> The European Union co-ordinated the supply of military aid for the first time.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|title=Military assistance to Ukraine since the Russian invasion |url=https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9477/ |website=[[House of Commons Library]] |date=12 May 2024 |last1=Mills |first1=Claire}}</ref> The [[United States and the Russian invasion of Ukraine|US has provided]] the most military assistance to Ukraine,<ref name="CNN US investment"/> and has set aside $175 billion to help the country.<ref name="CFR">{{#invoke:cite|web|title=How Much U.S. Aid Is Going to Ukraine? |url=https://www.cfr.org/article/how-much-us-aid-going-ukraine |website=[[Council on Foreign Relations]] |date=27 September 2024}}</ref> Most of the US military aid has been old American weaponry and equipment from [[War reserve stock|reserve stockpiles]], while most of the US funding earmarked for Ukraine stays in the US economy and supports US industries, subsidising the manufacture of weapons and military equipment.<ref name="CFR"/><ref name="Lawfare">{{#invoke:cite|web|title=How America's Aid to Ukraine Actually Works |url=https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/how-america-s-aid-to-ukraine-actually-works |website=[[Lawfare (website)|Lawfare]] |date=16 July 2024}}</ref> Bulgaria supplied Ukraine with over one third of the ammunition needed in the early phase of the invasion and a plurality of needed fuel.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Volkmann-Schluck |first=Philip |date=18 January 2023 |title=Bulgaria to the rescue: How the EU's poorest country secretly saved Ukraine |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/bulgaria-volodymyr-zelenskyy-kiril-petkov-poorest-country-eu-ukraine/ |access-date=18 January 2023 |work=[[Politico]]}}</ref> Most of Ukraine's supporters ruled out sending troops to the country in the early months of the invasion.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=LeBlanc |first=Paul |date=28 February 2022 |title=Why the US isn't sending troops into Ukraine |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/27/politics/us-troops-ukraine-russia-what-matters/index.html |access-date=20 April 2022 |publisher=[[CNN]]}}</ref> Although [[India and the Russian invasion of Ukraine|India has maintained a neutral stance]] on the invasion,<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=How India Profits From Its Neutrality in the Ukraine War |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/06/22/business/india-russia-oil.html |work=The New York Times |date=22 June 2023}}</ref> reports indicate that artillery shells made by Indian manufacturers were sold to European countries and then diverted to Ukraine. Indian officials have not intervened despite objections from Russia.<ref name="reuters-2024-09-19">{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Brunnstrom |first=David |title=Ammunition from India enters Ukraine, raising Russian ire |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/ammunition-india-enters-ukraine-raising-russian-ire-2024-09-19/ |access-date=30 September 2024 |work=Reuters |date=19 September 2024}}</ref>

The Russian government has threatened retaliation against countries supplying military aid to Ukraine.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Russia accuses Nato of 'proxy war' in Ukraine as US hosts crucial defence summit |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/apr/26/russia-accuses-nato-of-proxy-war-in-ukraine-as-us-hosts-crucial-defence-summit |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=26 April 2022}}</ref> According to the [[Atlantic Council]]'s Peter Dickinson, Russia's government has not followed through on its threats, despite most of its "[[Red lines in the Russo-Ukrainian war|red lines]]" being crossed.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Dickinson |first1=Peter |title=Putin is becoming entangled in his own discredited red lines |url=https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainealert/putin-is-becoming-entangled-in-his-own-discredited-red-lines/ |work=[[Atlantic Council]] |date=17 September 2024}}</ref>

Since the start of Russia's invasion, the US has been sharing intelligence with Ukraine, with a focus on finished signal intelligence to aid in targeting.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Najibullah |first1=Farangis |last2=Dobrynin |first2=Sergei |date=8 March 2025 |title=How Important Is US Intelligence For Ukraine's War Effort? |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/us-intelligence-sharing-pause-restrictions-ukraine/33340241.html |publisher=RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty |access-date=24 December 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Murauskaite |first=Egle E. |title=U.S. Assistance to Ukraine in the Information Space: Intelligence, Cyber, and Signaling |url=https://www.start.umd.edu/sites/default/files/publications/local_attachments/ATAC%20-%20U.S.%20Assistance%20to%20Ukraine%20in%20the%20Information%20Space.pdf |access-date=24 December 2025}}</ref> In October 2025, the ''Wall Street Journal'' and Reuters reported that the US was to provide intelligence to enable long-range strikes on energy infrastructure deep in Russian territory.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pancevski |first1=Bojan |last2=Ward |first2=Alexander |last3=Seligman |first3=Lara |title=U.S. to Provide Ukraine With Intelligence for Missile Strikes Deep Inside Russia |date=1 October 2025 |url=https://www.wsj.com/world/europe/u-s-to-provide-ukraine-with-intelligence-for-missile-strikes-deep-inside-russia-ca7b2276 |access-date=24 December 2025 |publisher=Wall Street Journal |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251002103757/https://www.wsj.com/world/europe/u-s-to-provide-ukraine-with-intelligence-for-missile-strikes-deep-inside-russia-ca7b2276 |archive-date=2 October 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Holland |first1=Steve |last2=Slattery |first2=Gram |title=US to give Ukraine intelligence on long-range energy targets in Russia |date=2 October 2025 |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/us-provide-ukraine-with-intelligence-missile-strikes-deep-inside-russia-wsj-2025-10-01/ |access-date=24 December 2025 |publisher=Reuters}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Sabbagh |first1=Dan |last2=Roth |first2=Andrew |date=2 October 2025 |title=US to give Ukraine intelligence on long-range energy targets in Russia, say reports |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/oct/02/us-give-ukraine-intelligence-long-range-energy-targets-russia-reports |access-date=24 December 2025 |work=The Guardian}}</ref>

By January 2026, according to French president Macron, the [[Coalition of the willing (Russo-Ukrainian war)|coalition of the willing]] was providing all of the international military support to Ukraine, with France providing two-thirds of the military intelligence.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dariia |first1=Mykailenko |title=France Supplies Majority of Intelligence Ukraine Uses in War With Russia, Macron Says |url=https://united24media.com/latest-news/france-supplies-majority-of-intelligence-ukraine-uses-in-war-with-russia-macron-says-15064 |access-date=15 January 2026 |work=UNITED24 Media |date=15 January 2026 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Macron: Coalition of the Willing provides 100% military support to Ukraine |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-polytics/4080694-macron-coalition-of-the-willing-provides-100-military-support-to-ukraine.html |access-date=15 January 2026 |work=ukrinform.net |date=15 January 2026 |language=en}}</ref> In April 2026, reports emerged that Ukrainian [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon|F-16]] pilots had gone through an [[Royal Air Force|RAF]]-led program and were being instructed to operate in [[Global Positioning System|GPS]]-denied environments due to extensive Russian electronic warfare.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Epstein |first=Jake |title=Ukraine's future F-16 fighter pilots are learning to fly without GPS as Russian jamming complicates air combat |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/ukrainian-pilots-flight-training-without-gps-prepare-for-russian-jamming-2026-4 |access-date=2026-05-07 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Epstein |first=Jake |title=Ukrainian pilots are breaking from Soviet-era tactics and learning to fly with a Western mindset |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/ukrainian-pilots-break-from-soviet-mindset-fly-with-western-thinking-2026-4 |access-date=2026-05-07 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}}</ref> In June 2026, Ukraine received a €90 billion loan over two years from the EU for increasing defence;<ref>{{Cite news |date=2026-06-13 |title=Ukraine war briefing: Zelenskyy boosts army wages and seeks foreign recruits to counter manpower shortage |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/13/ukraine-war-briefing-zelenskyy-boosts-army-wages-foreign-seeks-foreign-recruits |access-date=2026-06-14 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> in August, Zelenskyy asked allies for an additional €23 billion.<ref name=euronews-20260901>{{cite news |url=https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2026/09/01/brussels-says-90-billion-loan-for-ukraine-is-enough-for-now-amid-growing-doubts |title=Brussels says €90 billion loan for Ukraine is enough for now amid growing doubts |last=Liboreiro |first=Jorge |website=euronews |date=1 September 2026 |access-date=2 September 2026}}</ref>

=== Support for Russia ===
{{Main|Support for Russia in the Russian invasion of Ukraine}}

[[File:Countries supplying military equipment to Russia during the 2022 Russian invasion.png|thumb|upright=1.5|
{{legend|#ffb0ca|Countries sending weaponry to Russia}}
{{legend|#810000|Russia}}
{{legend|#ffff00|Ukraine}}]]

==== Belarus ====
{{See also|Belarusian involvement in the Russo-Ukrainian war (2022–present)}}

Belarus has allowed Russia to use its territory to stage part of the invasion and to launch missiles into Ukraine.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=31 January 2023 |title=Lukashenko: Belarus willing to offer more help to Russia |work=[[AP News]] |url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-politics-belarus-government-alexander-lukashenko-1124dbad889ccc6d269069e501a31fa6 |access-date=26 April 2023}}</ref> Belarus airspace was used by Russia, including for [[Airborne early warning and control|radar early warning and control]] missions, until 2023, when a Russian [[Beriev A-50]] surveillance plane was [[Machulishchy air base attack|damaged by drones]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|date=23 July 2024 |title=Почему российские "шахеды" залетают в Беларусь и чем это опасно для Украины |url=https://www.bbc.com/russian/articles/crg51dr8lmqo |access-date=23 July 2024 |website=BBC News Русская служба |language=ru}}</ref> Belarus is considered a [[Co-belligerence|co-belligerent]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|book|last=Lozka |first=Katsiaryna |url=http://hdl.handle.net/1854/LU-01HGZF2NV7XH9AVKAZSP0VSVX3 |title=Between the hammer and the anvil : Belarus, its people, and Russia's war against Ukraine |date=2023 |isbn=978-83-67678-29-2 |volume=6 |publisher=Instytut Europy Środkowej |hdl=1854/LU-01HGZF2NV7XH9AVKAZSP0VSVX3}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|title=Putin's Strategic Failure |url=https://www.iiss.org/sv/online-analysis/survival-online/2022/04/putins-strategic-failure/ |access-date=28 June 2024 |website=IISS}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Humphreys |first1=Richard |last2=Paegļkalna |first2=Lauma |title=Combat Without Warfighting: Non-Belligerent Actors and the Russian Invasion of Ukraine |ssrn=4048994 }}</ref> Political scientist Matthew Frear considers Belarus a co-combatant, with "[[Alexander Lukashenko|Lukashenko]] repeatedly stating his support for Putin's military actions",<ref>{{#invoke:cite|book|last1=Baturo |first1=Alex |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9CcHEQAAQBAJ&dq=a+co-combatant+in+the+invasion,+as+Lukashenko+repeatedly+stated+his+support+for&pg=PA195 |title=Personalism and Personalist Regimes |last2=Anceschi |first2=Luca |last3=Cavatorta |first3=Francesco |date=10 May 2024 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-266471-6 |page=195 |language=en}}</ref> while ''the 2023 issue of the Armed Conflict Survey'' classified it as not a direct co-combatant.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|book|author=The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ueznEAAAQBAJ&dq=%22Belarus+remains+a+co-belligerent+but+not+a+co-combatant%22&pg=RA3-PT42 |title=Armed Conflict Survey 2023 |date=6 December 2023 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=978-1-040-01544-5 |quote=... Belarus remains a co-belligerent but not a co-combatant, providing extensive assistance to Russia – including the use of its territory to base Russian forces and launch attacks – without directly intervening with its own military assets ...}}</ref> Belarus provided Russia with weapons and ammunition, and later, according to the 2024 issue of ''Armed Conflict Survey'', Russia deployed tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|book|last=Studies (IISS) |first=The International Institute for Strategic |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Clc3EQAAQBAJ&dq=%22Belarusian+territory+to+launch+ground+and+air+%22&pg=PT145 |title=The Armed Conflict Survey 2024 |date=12 December 2024 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=978-1-040-33815-5 |page=82 |language=en}}</ref>

==== Iran ====
{{See also|Iran and the Russo-Ukrainian war (2022–present)}}

In June 2023, US military intelligence suggested Iran was providing both [[Shahed drone|Shahed combat drones]] and production materials to develop a [[Yelabuga drone factory|drone manufactory]] for Russia.<ref>
{{#invoke:cite|web|date=9 June 2023 |title=White House says Iran is helping Russia build a drone factory east of Moscow for the war in Ukraine |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2023/06/09/white-house-says-iran-is-helping-russia-build-a-drone-factory-east-of-moscow-for-the-war-in-ukraine-2/ |access-date=10 June 2023 |website=Sun Sentinel}}</ref> In February 2024, a [[Reuters]] report indicated that Iran sent ballistic missiles to the Russian military.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|date=21 February 2024 |title=Exclusive: Iran sends Russia hundreds of ballistic missiles |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/iran-sends-russia-hundreds-ballistic-missiles-sources-say-2024-02-21/ |access-date=23 February 2024 |website=Reuters}}</ref> According to the US and Ukraine, Iranian troops have been stationed in Crimea to assist Russia in launching drone attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Madhani |first1=Aamer |last2=Miller |first2=Zeke |date=21 October 2022 |title=US: Iranian troops in Crimea backing Russian drone strikes |url=https://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-8b085070758120c31d421f68a65e4b14 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503164518/https://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-8b085070758120c31d421f68a65e4b14 |archive-date=3 May 2023 |access-date=22 November 2024 |publisher=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last1=Hird |first1=Karolina |last2=Mappes |first2=Grace |last3=Bailey |first3=Riley |last4=Howard |first4=Angela |last5=Kagan |first5=Frederick W. |date=25 November 2022 |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, November 25 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-november-25 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231214005539/https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-november-25 |archive-date=14 December 2023 |access-date=22 November 2024 |publisher=[[Institute for the Study of War]]}}</ref> Iran has denied sending arms to Russia for use against Ukraine.<ref name="CNN: Iran denies supplying Russia with weapons for use in Ukraine"/>

==== North Korea ====
{{See also|North Korean involvement in the Russo-Ukrainian war (2022–present)}}

[[North Korea]] has supplied Russia with ballistic missiles and launchers.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Axe |first1=David |title=Russia Got 7,500-Pound Rockets From North Korea—And Promptly Blew Up A Pair Of Ukrainian Supply Bases |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2024/01/05/russia-got-7500-pound-rockets-from-north-korea-and-promptly-blew-up-a-pair-of-ukrainian-supply-bases/?sh=208781e9363f |access-date=8 January 2024 |work=[[Forbes]] }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Did Russia Fire North Korean Missiles At Ukraine? |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-ukraine-north-korea-war-missiles-kn-23/32765450.html |access-date=8 January 2024 |work=[[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]] |date=8 January 2024 }}</ref> In October 2024, Ukraine and [[South Korea]] claimed North Korean engineers had been deployed to the battlefield to help with these missiles and suffered casualties.<ref name="The Guardian: North Korean Troops Deployed">{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Graham-Harrison |first1=Emma |last2=McCurry |first2=Justin |name-list-style=and |date=10 October 2024 |title=North Koreans deployed alongside Russian troops in Ukraine, sources say |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/10/north-korea-engineers-deployed-russia-ukraine |access-date=10 October 2024 |work=[[The Guardian]] }}</ref><ref name="k284">{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Jochecová |first=Ketrin |date=8 October 2024 |title=North Korean soldiers are likely dying for Putin in Ukraine, Seoul says |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/north-korean-soldiers-are-likely-fighting-in-ukraine-seouls-defense-minister-says/ |access-date=10 October 2024 |work=[[Politico]] }}</ref><ref name="a180">{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Lee |first=Youkyung |date=9 October 2024 |title=North Korea Seen Likely to Send Troops to Ukraine to Aid Russia |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-10-09/north-korea-seen-likely-to-send-troops-to-ukraine-to-aid-russia |access-date=10 October 2024 |website=[[Bloomberg News|Bloomberg]] }}</ref> In October 2024, Zelenskyy announced that Ukrainian intelligence believed there were 10,000 North Korean troops preparing to join Russian forces.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Cecil |first=Nicholas |date=17 October 2024 |title=Putin military doubling 'kamikaze' drone attacks on Ukraine to 1,500 last month, say western officials |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/vladimir-putin-ukraine-drone-attacks-russia-double-b1188508.html |newspaper=[[Evening Standard]] }}</ref> The North Korean government stated that none of their soldiers were fighting for Russia.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=22 October 2024 |title=North Korea UN representative denies Pyongyang sent troops to Russia |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/north-korea-united-nations-represenative-denies-pyongyangg-troops-russia-4693886 |access-date=2 November 2024 |work=CNA |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241113011116/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/north-korea-united-nations-represenative-denies-pyongyangg-troops-russia-4693886 |archive-date=13 November 2024 |quote=North Korea has not sent troops to Russia to help Moscow fight Ukraine, one of its United Nations representatives said on Monday (Oct 22), dismissing Seoul's claims as 'groundless rumour'.}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=23 October 2024 |title=North Korea UN representative denies Pyongyang sent troops to Russia |url=https://www.trtworld.com/asia/north-korea-un-representative-denies-pyongyang-sent-troops-to-russia-18223088 |access-date=2 November 2024 |work=[[TRT World]] }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Denisova |first=Kateryna |date=22 October 2024 |title=North Korea denies sending troops to join Russia's war in Ukraine, dismisses 'groundless rumors' |url=https://kyivindependent.com/north-korea-denies-alleged-troops-sending-to-fight-russian-war-as-groundless-rumors/ |access-date=2 November 2024 |work=[[The Kyiv Independent]] }}</ref>

US officials reported that North Korea had sent 3,000 soldiers to Russia for possible deployment to Ukraine, who were training at military bases in eastern Russia.<ref name="y335">{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Phil Stewart |first=Hyonhee Shin |date=23 October 2024 |title=US says evidence shows North Korea has troops in Russia, possibly for Ukraine war |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/north-korea-has-sent-3000-troops-russia-ukraine-war-south-korean-lawmakers-say-2024-10-23/ |access-date=24 October 2024 |work=[[Reuters]] }}</ref> On 28 October, NATO chief [[Mark Rutte]] confirmed earlier Ukrainian intelligence that North Korean troops had been deployed to [[Kursk Oblast]] to support Russia against the [[Kursk offensive (2024–2025)|Kursk offensive]], and the Pentagon reported that around 10,000 North Korean soldiers had been sent in total.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=29 October 2024 |title=Russia to deploy 10,000 North Korean troops against Ukraine within 'weeks', Pentagon says |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/29/russia-north-korean-troops-ukraine-war |access-date=29 October 2024 |work=[[The Guardian]] }}</ref><ref name="i587">{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Phil Stewart |first=Andrew Gray |date=28 October 2024 |title=No new limits on Ukraine's use of US arms if North Korea joins fight, Pentagon says |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/nato-chief-says-he-can-confirm-north-korean-troops-are-russias-kursk-2024-10-28/ |access-date=28 October 2024 |work=[[Reuters]] }}</ref><ref name="k484">{{#invoke:cite|news|date=28 October 2024 |title=NATO, Pentagon confirm deployment of North Korean troops to Russia |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/10/28/nato-pentagon-confirm-deployment-of-north-korean-troops-to-russia |access-date=28 October 2024 |work=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]] }}</ref>

[[File:Andrei Belousov and No Kwang-chol, 2024.jpg|thumb|Russian Defence Minister [[Andrey Belousov]] with North Korean Defence Minister [[No Kwang-chol]] on 29 November 2024]]
On 7 November, Ukraine's defence minister reported that North Korean troops had engaged in battle on 5 November in Kursk oblast,<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=7 November 2024 |title=North Korean Soldiers Fighting in Kursk |url=https://fu.kyivpost.com/post/41862 |access-date=7 December 2024 |work=[[Kyiv Post]] }}</ref> a report that was confirmed by US and South Korean officials.<ref name="r219">{{#invoke:cite|web|date=13 November 2024 |title=US confirms North Korean troops joining Russia in combat against Ukraine |url=https://www.rfa.org/english/korea/2024/11/13/north-korea-us-kursk-confirm/ |first=Taejun |last=Kang |access-date=14 November 2024 |website=[[Radio Free Asia]] }}</ref><ref name="b215">{{#invoke:cite|news|date=13 November 2024 |title=South Korea says North Korean soldiers are fighting Ukraine forces |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/south-korea-says-north-korean-soldiers-are-fighting-ukraine-forces-2024-11-13/ |access-date=14 November 2024 |work=[[Reuters]] }}</ref><ref name="u951">{{#invoke:cite|news|date=16 November 2024 |title=Language barriers and inexperience may hamper North Korean troops on Russia's battlefield |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/language-barriers-inexperience-may-hamper-north-korean-troops-russias-rcna177756 |first1=Stella |last1=Kim |first2=Mithil |last2=Aggarwal |access-date=16 November 2024 |work=[[NBC News]] }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Vergun |first=David |date=18 November 2024 |title=North Korean Troops Enter Kursk Where Ukrainians Are Fighting |url=https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3968230/north-korean-troops-enter-kursk-where-ukrainians-are-fighting/ |access-date=3 December 2024 |website=U.S. Department of Defence }}</ref> On 24 November, the Ukrainian chief of general staff confirmed that North Korean troops had been engaged in battle.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Zimko |first=Oleksandra |date=24 November 2024 |title=DPRK soldiers already participated in battles against Ukrainian Armed Forces in Kursk region |url=https://newsukraine.rbc.ua/news/dprk-soldiers-already-participated-in-battles-1732480243.html |access-date=7 December 2024 |website=RBC-Ukraine }}</ref> On 2 December the Pentagon noted that North Korean soldiers had been integrated into Russian units,<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|date=3 December 2024 |title=Pentagon addresses DPRK troops' role in Russia's offensive |url=https://newsukraine.rbc.ua/news/pentagon-addresses-dprk-troops-role-in-russia-1733186791.html |access-date=3 December 2024 |website=RBC-Ukraine }}</ref> reports that were echoed by the Ukrainian intelligence directorate.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=3 December 2024 |title=2,000 North Korean Troops Led by 3 Generals Join Russians Against Ukraine – Intel |url=https://www.kyivpost.com/post/43184 |access-date=5 December 2024 |work=[[Kyiv Post]] }}</ref> On 16 December, the US confirmed that North Korean troops had been killed in combat in Russia's Kursk oblast.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=North Korean troops killed in combat against Ukraine for first time, Pentagon says |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/north-korean-troops-killed-combat-against-ukraine-first-time-pentagon-says-2024-12-16/ |work=[[Reuters]] }}</ref> By 18 December, the number of killed and wounded North Korean soldiers had reportedly reached a couple of hundred,<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=17 December 2024 |title=A couple hundred North Korean troops killed, wounded in battles with Ukrainian forces |url=https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-ukraine-casualties-kursk-russia-a1207ba61ded5061f721ffa0f0650851 |access-date=18 December 2024 |work=[[AP News]] }}</ref> while South Korea reported 100 North Koreans dead and 1000 injured.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=At least 100 North Koreans dead in Ukraine war, says South Korea |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cm2ezx258xzo |access-date=21 December 2024 |work=[[BBC News]] |date=19 December 2024 }}</ref> [[United States Army Judge Advocate General's Corps|US Army JAG]] officers Steve Szymanski and Joshua Keruski stated that North Korea had become a party to an international armed conflict with Ukraine as of the 5 November engagement.<ref name="Szymanski & Keruski">{{#invoke:cite|journal|last1=Szymanski |first1=Steve |last2=Keruski |first2=Joshua C. T. |title=Ukraine Symposium – North Korea's Entry into International Armed Conflict |journal=Articles of War |date=10 December 2024 |url=https://lieber.westpoint.edu/north-koreas-entry-international-armed-conflict/|publisher=[[Lieber Institute for Law & Warfare|Lieber Institute]] |access-date=8 January 2025 }}</ref>

Zelenskyy showcased footage that he said showed Russian troops burning the faces of killed North Korean soldiers to conceal their presence.<ref name="i614">{{#invoke:cite|web|title=Russians 'burning faces' of dead North Koreans to keep them secret: Zelenskyy |website=[[Radio Free Asia]] |date=17 December 2024 |url=https://www.rfa.org/english/korea/2024/12/17/north-korean-soldier-video-russia-12172024/ |access-date=18 December 2024 }}</ref><ref name="q291">{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Ukraine reports North Korean losses on Russia's Kursk front |work=[[Reuters]] |date=16 December 2024 |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-reports-north-korean-losses-russias-kursk-front-2024-12-16/ |access-date=18 December 2024 }}</ref><ref name="f970">{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Psaropoulos |first=John T. |title=North Koreans are 'disciplined', armed with high-quality ammo, says Ukraine |work=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]] |date=27 January 2025 |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/1/27/more-north-korean-troops-headed-to-ukraine-as-conflict-goes-global |access-date=27 January 2025 }}</ref><ref name="d245">{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Melkozerova |first=Veronika |title=Suicide and soap operas: North Koreans react to being Ukrainian POWs |work=[[Politico]] |date=21 January 2025 |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/north-korea-soldiers-russia-ukrainian-pow-soap-opera-suicide/ |access-date=27 January 2025 }}</ref>

In January 2025, two North Koreans were taken prisoner while fighting in Kursk Oblast. Intelligence debriefings indicate that North Korean soldiers have been issued false military papers stating that they are Russians.<ref name="nk-soldiers-captured">{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Harding |first=Luke |title=Suicides, new tactics and propaganda iPads: details from captured North Koreans expose new foe in Ukraine |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=18 January 2025 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/18/suicides-new-tactics-and-propaganda-ipads-details-from-captured-north-koreans-expose-new-foe-in-ukraine |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250119023832/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/18/suicides-new-tactics-and-propaganda-ipads-details-from-captured-north-koreans-expose-new-foe-in-ukraine |archive-date=19 January 2025 |access-date=19 January 2025}}</ref> In March 2025, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said that North Korea had sent an additional 3,000 soldiers early in the year, along with military equipment including short-range ballistic missiles. According to South Korea, roughly 11,000 North Korean soldiers had been sent to Russia, 4,000 of whom were killed or wounded.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Harvey |first=Lex |title=North Korea has sent 3,000 more soldiers to bolster Russia's war on Ukraine, South Korea says |work=[[CNN]] |date=27 March 2025 |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2025/03/27/europe/north-korea-russia-ukraine-soldiers-intl-hnk/index.html |access-date=22 April 2025 }}</ref> The same month, Russia acknowledged the presence of North Korean soldiers fighting in Kursk for the first time.<ref name="x755">{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Munster |first=Ben |title=Russia claims complete 'liberation' of Kursk, admits North Korea assistance |work=[[Politico]] |date=26 April 2025 |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/kremlin-claims-complete-liberation-kursk-admits-north-korea-assistance-ukraine-war/ |access-date=26 April 2025 }}</ref>

In June 2025, former Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu announced that 1,000 North Korean military workers would be deployed to Kursk for demining, and another 5,000 for reconstruction.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=North Korea to send military construction workers, deminers to rebuild Russia's Kursk region |url=https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20250617-north-korea-to-send-military-construction-workers-and-deminers-to-russia |access-date=12 August 2025 |agency=[[Agence France-Presse|AFP]] |date=17 June 2025}}</ref> The BBC reported that, in 2024, more than 10,000 North Korean workers were sent to work in "slave-like conditions" in Russian construction and other sectors "in violation of the UN sanctions banning the use of North Korean labour." A South Korean intelligence official told the BBC that as many as 50,000 workers were to be deployed in 2025.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Mackenzie |first1=Jean |title=North Koreans tell BBC they are being sent to work 'like slaves' in Russia |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2077gwjlvxo |access-date=12 August 2025 |agency=[[BBC]] |date=12 August 2025}}</ref> In October 2026, a CSIS report said that North Korea had sent around 12,000 workers to produce drones for Russia at the [[Yelabuga drone factory]]. Song Young-Chae, an academic and human rights activist, raised human rights concerns saying North Korea was ″effectively conducting slavery of its own people and for its own profit″.<ref name="y422">{{cite web | last=Ryall | first=Julian | title=N. Korean workers treated as 'slaves' at Russian drone plant | publisher=Deutsche Welle | date=20 October 2026 | url=https://www.dw.com/en/north-korean-workers-treated-as-slaves-at-russian-drone-factory/a-79710877 | access-date=27 October 2026}}</ref><ref name="v593">{{cite web | title=North Korea sends thousands of workers to Russian drone factory, CSIS says | publisher=koreajoongangdaily | date=15 October 2026 | url=https://www.koreajoongangdaily.com/korea/north-korea-sends-thousands-of-workers-to-russian-drone-factory-csis-says/12922979 | access-date=27 October 2026}}</ref>

==== China ====
{{See also|China and the Russo-Ukrainian war}}
''[[Politico]]'' reported in March 2023 that Chinese state-owned weapons manufacturer [[Norinco]] shipped assault rifles, drone parts, and body armour to Russia between June and December 2022.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Banco |first1=Eric |last2=Aarup |first2=Sarah Anne |date=16 March 2023 |title='Hunting rifles' — really? China ships assault weapons and body armor to Russia |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2023/03/16/chinese-rifles-body-armor-russia-ukraine-00087398 |work=[[Politico]] }}</ref> According to the US, Chinese ammunition has been used in Ukraine.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=18 March 2023 |title=Use of Chinese ammunition in Ukraine confirmed by U.S.: sources |url=https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/03/48412a76107a-urgent-use-of-chinese-ammunition-in-ukraine-confirmed-by-us-sources.html |website=[[Kyodo News]] }}</ref> In May 2023, the European Union identified that Chinese and UAE firms were supplying weapon components to Russia.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Rettman |first=Andrew |date=9 May 2023 |title=The EU fears that Chinese and UAE firms could be supplying weapons components to Russia, new sanctions indicate |url=https://euobserver.com/world/157011 |work=[[EU Observer]] }}</ref> In April 2024, China was reported to have provided Russia with [[geospatial intelligence]], machine tools for tanks, and propellants for missiles.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Nardelli |first1=Alberto |last2=Jacobs |first2=Jennifer |date=6 April 2024 |title=China Is Providing Geospatial Intelligence to Russia, US Warns |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-04-06/china-is-providing-geospatial-intelligence-to-russia-us-warns |access-date=6 April 2024 |work=[[Bloomberg News]] }}</ref> In September 2024, Reuters reported documents indicating Russia had established a weapons programme in China to develop long-range attack drones, with assistance from local specialists, for use in the invasion.<ref name="k324">{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Exclusive: Russia has secret war drones project in China, intel sources say |work=[[Reuters]] |date=25 September 2024 |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/russia-has-secret-war-drones-project-china-intel-sources-say-2024-09-25/ |access-date=16 November 2024 }}</ref>

In September 2026, ''[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]'' and ''[[Politico]]'' uncovered Russian documents showing a Chinese state-owned firm supplying Russia with materials to build drones which Russia uses to attack Ukraine. According to experts, the scale of the shipments and military importance of the destination suggested that Chinese officials were aware.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Graham|first1=Lanktree|last2=Kine|first2=Phelim|last3=Sophia|first3=Yan|title=China secretly supplied Russia with components for killer drones |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/09/06/china-secretly-supplied-russia-components-killer-drones/?WT.mc_id=tmgoff_reddit_supplied-russia-components-killer-drones/ |work=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]] |date=6 August 2026|access-date=10 September 2026}}</ref>

==== Others and sanction evasions ====
{{See also|India and the Russian invasion of Ukraine}}
[[File:2024 BRICS Summit (1729758533).jpg|thumb|Putin and Chinese president [[Xi Jinping]] at the [[16th BRICS summit]] in [[Kazan]], Russia. Most of the [[Global North and Global South|Global South]] countries took a neutral position towards the war and maintained good relations with Russia.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Shidore |first1=Sarang |title=The Return of the Global South |url=https://www.foreignaffairs.com/world/return-global-south-critique-western-power |work=[[Foreign Affairs]] |date=31 August 2023 }}</ref>]]
In July 2025, Ukraine's [[Main Directorate of Intelligence (Ukraine)|Main Directorate of Intelligence]] reported that [[Laos]] had sent a 50-person demining crew to Kursk, though Laos denied the claim.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/adversary-entente-task-force-update-july-16 |last1=Shats |first1=Daniel|last2=Mappes |first2=Grace |last3=Campa |first3=Kelly |last4=Hird |first4=Karolina |last5=Kagan |first5=Frederick W. |title=Adversary Entente Task Force Update, July 16 |publisher=[[Institute for the Study of War]] |date=16 July 2025 |access-date=25 July 2025}}</ref>

Russia imports sensitive electronics, machinery, auto parts, and defence equipment from India.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Walsh |first1=Nick Paton |last2=Davey-Attlee |first2=Florence |name-list-style=and |date=19 February 2024 |title=The Kremlin has never been richer – thanks to a US strategic partner |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/02/19/europe/russia-oil-india-shadow-fleet-cmd-intl/index.html |access-date=15 September 2024 |work=[[CNN]] }}</ref> Trade like oil sales has surged since 2022, boosting revenue for Russian state-owned companies. To bypass sanctions and manage its currency surplus, Russia pays in rupees, supporting both civilian and military needs.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Russian firms buy $4 billion worth of India-made arms, pay in Indian rupee |url=https://www.firstpost.com/world/russian-firms-spend-4-billion-dollar-from-rupee-vostro-accounts-to-buy-india-arms-rupee-13769478.html |access-date=16 September 2024 |work=FP News }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=4 September 2024 |title=Russia built covert trade channel with India, leaks reveal |url=https://www.ft.com/content/101afcd6-8e6f-4b5f-89b0-98f48cd5d119 |first1=John |last1=Reed |first2=Max |last2=Seddon |first3=Chris |last3=Cook |first4=John Paul |last4=Rathbone |work=[[Financial Times]] }}</ref> Reuters reported in July 2025 that according to Indian customs data, an Indian company shipped military-use explosive compounds valued at $1.4 million to Russia in December 2024.<ref name="o455">{{#invoke:cite|web| last=Slattery | first=Gram | title=Exclusive: Indian firm shipped explosives to Russia despite US warnings | website=Reuters | date=24 July 2025 | url=https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/indian-firm-shipped-explosives-russia-despite-us-warnings-2025-07-24/ | access-date=24 July 2025}}</ref>

Russia has continued to make billions from fossil fuel exports to the West. Ukraine's Western allies{{which|date=November 2025}} have paid Russia more for its hydrocarbons than they have given Ukraine in aid. In 2025 [[Slovakia]] and [[Hungary]] rejected an EU plan to phase out deliveries of Russian gas via Turkey by 2028. "Laundromat refineries" in Turkey and India process Russian crude and sell the refined fuel to sanctioning countries.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web| title=Slovakia and Hungary reject EU plan to phase out Russian gas by end-2027 | work=Reuters | date=7 May 2025 | url=https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/slovakia-rejects-eu-plan-phase-out-russian-gas-by-end-2027-2025-05-07/ }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web| title=How the West is helping Russia to fund its war on Ukraine | date=29 May 2025 | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdxk454kxz8o }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web| title=The EU's continued trade with Russia undermines its support for Ukraine – EUROPP | date=9 October 2024 | url=https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/europpblog/2024/10/09/the-eus-continued-trade-with-russia-undermines-its-support-for-ukraine/ }}</ref> Russia has also developed partnerships with [[India]] and [[UAE|the UAE]] that actively support its efforts to evade sanctions.<ref name=":23">{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Russia dodges G7 price cap sanctions on most of its oil exports |url=https://www.ft.com/content/cad37c16-9cbd-473c-aa2f-102c21393d2e |access-date=21 May 2024 |newspaper=Financial Times |date=24 September 2023 |archive-date=26 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926003841/https://www.ft.com/content/cad37c16-9cbd-473c-aa2f-102c21393d2e |url-status=live |last1=Cook |first1=Chris |last2=Sheppard |first2=David |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web| last1=Saul | first1=Jonathan | last2=Verma | first2=Nidhi | last3=Verma | first3=Nidhi | title=Exclusive: Lloyd's Register drops ships of top Indian carrier of Russian oil | work=Reuters | date=26 May 2023 | url=https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/lloyds-register-drops-ships-top-indian-carrier-russian-oil-2023-05-25/ }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web| title=How Dubai became 'the new Geneva' for Russian oil trade | url=https://www.ft.com/content/7ac92047-b306-49d0-9811-ddde5c916dd6 | access-date=30 July 2025 | work=Financial Times |url-access=subscription}}</ref>

In 2022, approximately 400,000 US-made semiconductors worth $53.6 million were shipped to Russia via [[Maldives|the Maldives]], accounting for almost 20% the Maldives's exports. The Maldives has no native semiconductor manufacturers; all of its exports are by Russian shell companies, most headquartered in Hong Kong.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|title=Maldives is second-largest microcircuit supplier to Russia after China |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2023/07/23/7412548/ |website=[[pravda.com.ua]] |access-date=31 July 2023}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last1=Creel |first1=Katherine |last2=Yano |first2=Shoji |title=Maldives: Small island nation with big role shipping chips to Russia |url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Tech/Semiconductors/Maldives-Small-island-nation-with-big-role-shipping-chips-to-Russia |website=[[Nikkei Asia]] |access-date=31 July 2023}}</ref> From 2015 to 2021, average annual trade between Russia and Turkey in 45 military-linked materials was $28 million; from January to October 2023, it was $158 million.<ref name=ftTurkeyRussiaTrade >Adam Samson in Ankara and Chris Cook and Max Seddon in London ''Financial Times'' [https://www.ft.com/content/1cef6628-32eb-49c9-a7f1-2aef9bce4239 (27 Nov 2023) Turkey's exports of military-linked goods to Russia soar]</ref>

From January 2022 to mid-2025, the United States imported $24.51 billion of Russian goods, mainly fertilisers, [[enriched uranium]] and [[plutonium]], and [[palladium]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Three years into war, US and Europe keep billions in trade with Russia |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/three-years-into-war-us-and-europe-keep-billions-trade-with-russia-2025-08-05/|date=6 August 2025 |access-date=15 August 2025 |work=Reuters |language=en}}</ref>

== Casualties ==
{{Further|Casualties of the Russo-Ukrainian war#Russo-Ukrainian war (2022–present)|List of deaths during the Russo-Ukrainian war (2022–present)}}
[[File:Συνάντηση με ΥΠΕΞ Ουκρανίας D. Kuleba - Επίσκεψη σε Μνημείο πεσόντων υπερασπιστών Ουκρανίας (uncensored).jpg|thumb|[[The Wall of Remembrance of the Fallen for Ukraine|Wall of Remembrance]] of Ukrainian soldiers killed in the Russo-Ukrainian War]]
[[File:Українські захисники розгромили ворожу БТГ на Донеччині за кілька годин 09.jpg|thumb|Russian military casualties next to a [[Z (military symbol)|Z]] marked armoured vehicle]]
[[File:Російські війська убили дітей в Охтирці.jpg|thumb|Casualties after two shells hit a two-storey building of a kindergarten in [[Okhtyrka]], Ukraine, causing about 50 people to be hospitalised]]

Russian and Ukrainian sources have both been said to inflate opposing casualty numbers and downplay their own losses for morale.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://theconversation.com/ukraine-war-casualty-counts-from-either-side-can-be-potent-weapons-and-shouldnt-always-be-believed-198894 |title=Ukraine war: casualty counts from either side can be potent weapons and shouldn't always be believed |publisher=[[The Conversation (website)|The Conversation]] |date=1 February 2023 |first=Lily |last=Hamourtziadou }}</ref> Leaked US documents say "under-reporting of casualties within the [Russian] system highlights the military's 'continuing reluctance' to convey bad news up the chain of command."<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-65260672 |first=Paul |last=Kirby |title=Ukraine war: Pentagon leaks reveal Russian infighting over death toll |work=[[BBC News]] |date=13 April 2023 }}</ref> Russian news outlets have largely stopped reporting the Russian death toll.<ref name="fortune">{{Cite magazine |last=Meyer |first=David |date=14 March 2022 |title=Why is it so hard to get accurate death tolls in the Russia-Ukraine war? |url=https://fortune.com/2022/03/14/ukraine-russia-death-tolls-misinformation-find-your-own/ |magazine=[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]] |access-date=21 March 2022 }}
* {{#invoke:cite|news|last=Roth |first=Andrew |date=22 March 2022 |title=How many Russian soldiers have died in the war in Ukraine? |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/22/how-many-russian-soldiers-died-ukraine-losses |access-date=22 March 2022 }}</ref> Russia and Ukraine have admitted suffering "significant"<ref name="tragedy">{{#invoke:cite|news|date=8 April 2022 |title=Russia admits 'significant losses of troops' in Ukraine |work=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]] |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/4/8/we-have-significant-losses-and-its-a-huge-tragedy-kremlin |access-date=17 September 2023 }}</ref> and "considerable" losses, respectively.<ref name="untilwarends">{{#invoke:cite|news|date=29 March 2022 |title=Ukraine not to reveal own military death toll until war ends |work=[[Ukrinform]] |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3443116-ukraine-not-to-reveal-own-military-death-toll-until-war-ends.html}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66581217 |title='Dying by the dozens every day' – Ukraine losses climb |date=29 August 2023 |work=[[BBC News]] |access-date=17 September 2023 }}</ref>

The numbers of civilian and military deaths have been [[fog of war|impossible to determine]] precisely.<ref>
{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Khurshudyan |first1=Isabelle |last2=Witte |first2=Griff |date=26 February 2022 |title=Civilians are dying in Ukraine. But exactly how many remains a mystery. |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/02/26/ukraine-deaths-casualties/ |access-date=19 September 2023 }}
* {{#invoke:cite|news|date=17 March 2022 |title=As Russian Troop Deaths Climb, Morale Becomes an Issue, Officials Say |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/16/us/politics/russia-troop-deaths.html |url-status=live |access-date=16 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220316225152/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/16/us/politics/russia-troop-deaths.html |archive-date=16 March 2022 |quote="The conservative side of the estimate, at more than 7,000 Russian troop deaths, is greater than the number of American troops killed over 20 years in Iraq and Afghanistan combined."}}</ref> [[Agence France-Presse]] (AFP) reported that neither it nor independent conflict monitors could verify Russian and Ukrainian claims of enemy losses and suspected they were inflated.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=13 April 2022 |title=Ukraine conflict death toll: what we know |agency=[[Agence France-Presse]] |work=[[France 24]] |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220413-ukraine-conflict-death-toll-what-we-know |access-date=20 April 2022 }}</ref> In October 2022, the independent Russian media project [[Important Stories|iStories]], citing sources close to the Kremlin, reported that more than 90,000 Russian soldiers had been killed, seriously wounded, or gone missing.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=12 October 2022 |title=Russia's 'irrecoverable losses' in Ukraine: more than 90,000 troops dead, disabled, or AWOL |work=[[Meduza (website)|Meduza]] |url=https://meduza.io/en/news/2022/10/12/russia-s-irrecoverable-losses-in-ukraine-more-than-90-000-troops-dead-disabled-or-awol }}</ref> Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated in February 2026 that approximately 55,000 Ukrainian soldiers had been killed on the battlefield, noting that a significant number were also officially listed as missing in action.<ref name="55k_reuters">{{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/55000-ukrainian-soldiers-killed-battlefield-zelenskiy-tells-french-tv-2026-02-04/|title=Fifty-five thousand Ukrainian soldiers killed on battlefield, Zelenskiy tells French TV |work=Reuters |date=4 February 2026 }}</ref><ref name="55k_euronews">{{Cite web |date=2026-02-04 |title=Zelenskyy says 55,000 Ukrainian soldiers killed in Russian all-out war |url=https://www.euronews.com/2026/02/04/volodymyr-zelenskyy-55000-ukrainian-soldiers-killed-since-full-scale-invasion |access-date=2026-02-05 |website=euronews |language=en}}</ref><ref name="55k_bbc">{{#invoke:cite|web|date=2026-02-05 |title=55,000 Ukrainian soldiers killed in war with Russia, Zelensky says |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgn2dzwd1do |access-date=2026-02-07 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>

While combat deaths can be inferred from a variety of sources, including [[satellite imagery]] of military action, measuring civilian deaths is more difficult. In June 2022, the [[Ukrainian Ministry of Defence|Ukrainian Minister of Defence]] told CNN that tens of thousands of Ukrainians had died, and he hoped the death toll was below 100,000.<ref>
{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Regan |first1=Helen |last2=Kottasová |first2=Ivana |last3=Haq |first3=Sana Noor |last4=Khalil |first4=Hafsa |last5=Vogt |first5=Adrienne |last6=Sangal |first6=Aditi |date=16 June 2022 |title=Tens of thousands have been killed since the invasion, says Ukrainian defense minister |work=[[CNN]] |url=https://edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/russia-ukraine-war-news-06-16-22#h_255010f04309b11df83acfffc6a47042 |access-date=15 September 2022}}</ref> By July 2024, about 20,000 Ukrainians had lost limbs.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Bennetts |first=Marc |date=25 June 2024 |title=Facing annihilation, the Ukrainian towns praying for Western reinforcements |url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/russia-ukraine-war/article/facing-annihilation-the-ukrainian-towns-praying-for-western-reinforcements-5xtvpxwtv |access-date=25 June 2024 |website=[[The Times]]}}</ref> In Mariupol, Ukrainian officials believe at least 25,000 have been killed,<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Yuhas |first=Alan |date=24 August 2022 |title=Thousands of Civilian Deaths and 6.6 Million Refugees: Calculating the Costs of War |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/24/world/europe/russia-ukraine-war-toll.html |access-date=20 September 2022 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Shandra |first=Alya |date=30 August 2022 |title=87,000 killed civilians documented in occupied Mariupol – volunteer |work=[[Euromaidan Press]] |url=https://euromaidanpress.com/2022/08/30/87000-killed-civilians-documented-in-occupied-mariupol-volunteer/ |access-date=20 September 2022}}</ref> and bodies were still being discovered in September 2022.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=4 September 2022 |title=Mariupol: invaders don't bother to clear residential buildings of newly discovered bodies |work=[[Ukrinform]] |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3564256-mariupol-invaders-dont-bother-to-clear-residential-buildings-of-newly-discovered-bodies.html |access-date=19 September 2023}}</ref> The mayor said over {{formatnum:10000}} and possibly as many as {{formatnum:20000}} civilians died in the [[siege of Mariupol]] and Russian forces had brought mobile cremation equipment when they entered the city.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|publisher=[[PBS]] |title=Over 10,000 civilians killed in Mariupol siege, mayor says |date=11 April 2022 |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/over-10000-civilians-killed-in-mariupol-siege-mayor-says |access-date=17 September 2023|first1=Yuras|last1=Karmanau|first2=Adam|last2=Schreck|first3=Cara|last3=Anna}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=14 February 2023 |title='Terrible toll': Russia's invasion of Ukraine by the numbers |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/02/14/world/russia-invasion-of-ukraine-numbers/ |access-date=26 September 2023 |work=[[The Japan Times]] |quote=Kyiv said at least 20,000 Ukrainian civilians had been killed. In total, some 30,000 to 40,000 civilians have lost their lives nationwide in the conflict, Western sources say.}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|title=At What Cost? The Economic and Human Costs of Russia's Invasion of Ukraine |url=https://www.cdhowe.org/public-policy-research/what-cost-economic-and-human-costs-russias-invasion-ukraine-0 |access-date=7 October 2023 |website=C.D. Howe Institute}}</ref> An investigation by [[Associated Press|AP]] from the end of 2022 estimated up to 75,000 killed civilians in the Mariupol area alone.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|title=The Cost of War to Ukraine |url=https://www.rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/commentary/cost-war-ukraine |access-date=8 October 2023 |website=The Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=23 December 2022 |title=Russia scrubs Mariupol's Ukraine identity, builds on death |url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-erasing-mariupol-499dceae43ed77f2ebfe750ea99b9ad9 |access-date=1 October 2023 |work=[[AP News]]}}</ref> [[Agence France-Presse|AFP]] says "a key gap in casualty counts is the lack of information from Russian-occupied places like the port city of Mariupol, where tens of thousands of civilians are believed to have died."<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=6 June 2023 |title=10,368: The incomplete count of Ukraine's civilian dead |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20230606-10-368-the-incomplete-count-of-ukraine-s-civilian-dead |access-date=29 September 2023 |publisher=[[Agence France-Presse]] republished in [[France 24]]}}</ref> There were at least 8,000 excess deaths in Mariupol between March 2022 and February 2023.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|date=8 February 2024 |title="Our City Was Gone": Russia's Devastation of Mariupol, Ukraine |url=https://www.hrw.org/feature/russia-ukraine-war-mariupol/report |access-date=15 August 2025 |website=Human Rights Watch |language=en|page= 147|quote=Based on an assessment of satellite imagery and photo and video analysis, we estimate that at least 10,284 people were buried in four of the city's cemeteries and in Manhush cemetery between March 2022 and February 2023. We also estimate that around 2,250 people would have died of causes unrelated to war in Mariupol during that period, meaning the city saw at least an estimated 8,034 deaths above a peacetime rate. We are not able to determine how many of those buried in the city were civilians or military personnel, or how many were killed as a result of unlawful attacks.}}</ref> The [[Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights]] (OHCHR) believed the true civilian casualty numbers were significantly higher than it has been able to confirm.<ref name="OHCHR sep">{{#invoke:cite|web|date=25 September 2023 |title=Ukraine: Ukraine: civilian casualty update 24 September 2023 |url=https://www.ohchr.org/en/news/2023/09/ukraine-civilian-casualty-update-24-september-2023 |publisher=[[Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights]]}}</ref>

In the Russian military, ethnic minorities have suffered disproportionately high casualties. In October 2022, the Russian regions with the highest death tolls were [[Dagestan]], [[Tuva]], and [[Buryatia]], all minority regions. In February 2024, six out of ten Russian regions with the highest mortality rates in Ukraine were located in Siberia and the far east, and ethnic minorities' continuing outsized casualty rates prompted analysts to warn that the situation will lead to long-term destructive impacts on these communities.<ref name="n606">{{#invoke:cite|web|last1=Schifrin |first1=Nick |last2=Cutler |first2=Sarah |last3=Fellow |first3=Columbia Journalism |title=Russia's ethnic minorities disproportionately die in the war in Ukraine |website=PBS NewsHour |date=11 December 2023 |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/russias-ethnic-minorities-disproportionately-conscripted-to-fight-the-war-in-ukraine |access-date=17 May 2024}}</ref><ref name="g456">{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Latypova |first=Leyla |title=2 Years Into Ukraine War, Russia's Ethnic Minorities Disproportionately Killed in Battle |website=The Moscow Times |date=17 May 2024 |url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2024/02/24/2-years-into-ukraine-war-russias-ethnic-minorities-disproportionately-killed-in-battle-a84170 |access-date=17 May 2024}}</ref><ref name="g132">{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Petkova |first=Mariya |title='Putin is using ethnic minorities to fight in Ukraine': Activist |website=Al Jazeera |date=25 October 2022 |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2022/10/25/russia-putin-is-using-ethnic-minorities-to-fight-in-ukraine |access-date=17 May 2024}}</ref><ref name="c079">{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Bessonov |first=Ania |title=Russian ethnic minorities bearing brunt of Russia's war mobilization in Ukraine |website=CBC |date=4 October 2022 |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/russia-mobilization-ethnic-minorities-buryat-1.6605501 |access-date=17 May 2024}}</ref><ref name="j309">{{#invoke:cite|web|title=Young, poor and from minorities: the Russian troops killed in Ukraine |website=France 24 |date=17 May 2022 |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220517-young-poor-and-from-minorities-the-russian-troops-killed-in-ukraine |access-date=17 May 2024}}</ref> About 1,200 Russian soldiers were killed or wounded in Ukraine every day in May–June 2024,<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Ukraine calls them meat assaults: Russia's brutal plan to take ground |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c80xjne8ryxo |work=BBC News |date=4 July 2024}}</ref> which climbed to 1,500 by November 2024, when 45,690 casualties were estimated.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Russia is suffering record casualties as the West steps up support for Ukraine, and it may struggle to replace them |first=Tom |last=Porter |work=[[Business Insider]] |date=6 December 2024 |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-will-struggle-to-replace-its-casualties-in-ukraine-isw-2024-12}}</ref> ''[[Newsweek]]'' estimated that on the bloodiest day in November 2024 the ratio of killed Russian men (1,950) exceeded the average daily male birth rate in Russia (1,836).<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|work=Newsweek |title=Russia's Loss of Men in Ukraine Surpasses Daily Birth Rate |date=12 November 2024 |url=https://www.newsweek.com/russia-casualties-death-rate-birth-rate-ukraine-1984557}}</ref> Latvia-based news outlet ''[[Meduza (website)|Meduza]]'' estimated that up to 140,000 Russian soldiers had died by July 2024.<ref>{{cite Q|Q127245770}}</ref> In December 2025, an analysis by the BBC suggested that Russian casualties were growing at a faster rate than at any point previously in the invasion, with 40% more obituaries of soldiers being published in Russia in 2025 compared to 2024.<ref name="r579">{{cite web | last=Ivshina | first=Olga | title=Russia's losses in Ukraine rise faster than ever as US pushes for peace deal | website=BBC | date=30 December 2025 | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c62n922dnw7o | access-date=4 January 2026}}</ref><ref name="e211">{{cite web | last=Butt | first=Maira | title=Russian losses in Ukraine rising faster than ever, finds new analysis | website=The Independent | date=31 December 2025 | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/russia-ukraine-losses-casualties-war-putin-zelensky-b2892512.html | access-date=4 January 2026}}</ref> The war in Ukraine and the associated emigration, lower [[birth rate]]s, and war-related casualties has further deepened the [[demographic crisis of Russia]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Russia stares into population abyss as Putin sends its young men to die |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2023/02/26/russia-stares-population-abyss-putin-sends-young-men-die/ |work=The Telegraph |date=26 February 2023}}</ref>

The Russian invasion became the deadliest European war since [[World War II]] (1939-1945).<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|work=The New York Times |title=Enduring Mayhem: Images From Year 3 of the War in Ukraine |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/24/world/europe/images-ukraine-war-third-year.html |date=24 April 2024}}</ref> In February 2025, [[Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft|the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft]] estimated 250,000 dead.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web| title=The Ukraine War After Three Years: Roads Not Taken |first=Marcus |last=Stanley |date=19 February 2025| publisher=[[Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft]] |url=https://quincyinst.org/research/the-ukraine-war-after-three-years-roads-not-taken/#}}</ref> In September 2024, ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' reported that there were now one million Ukrainians and Russians who were killed or wounded.<ref name="WSJ-Casualties">{{#invoke:cite|journal|url=https://www.wsj.com/world/one-million-are-now-dead-or-injured-in-the-russia-ukraine-war-b09d04e5 |first=Bojan |last=Pancevski |journal=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |date=17 September 2024 |title=One Million Are Now Dead or Injured in the Russia-Ukraine War |access-date=17 September 2024}}</ref>

{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+Confirmed casualties
|-
! scope="col" |
! scope="col" |Numbers
! scope="col" |Time period
! scope="col" |Source
|-
! scope="row" |Ukrainian civilians
|'''16,874''' killed, '''51,273''' wounded{{efn|At least 176 foreign civilians from 25 countries are confirmed to have been killed within Ukraine. [[Casualties of the Russo-Ukrainian War#Foreign civilians|See table here]] for a detailed breakdown of deaths by nationalities.}}
|24 February 2022 – 13 August 2026
|United Nations ([[OHCHR]])<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.un.org/ru/story/2026/08/1468479|title=Мониторинговая миссия ООН: число жертв среди мирных украинцев в июле было самым высоким в период с марта 2022 года |publisher=Новости ООН|language=ru |date=2026-08-13}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row"|Russian civilians
|'''1,716''' killed (excluding annexed territories)
|24 February 2022 – 2 September 2026
|''[[Novaya Gazeta|Novaya Gazeta Europe]]''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://novayagazeta.eu/articles/2026/09/02/leto-2026-goda-stalo-rekordnym-po-chislu-pogibshikh-mirnykh-zhitelei-v-rossii|title=Лето 2026 года стало рекордным по числу погибших мирных жителей в России|language=ru|website=Новая газета. Европа|date=2026-09-02}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row"|Ukrainian forces
|'''103,418''' killed (incl. non-combat), '''97,938''' missing, '''11,618''' captured (conf. by names)
|24 February 2022 – 4 September 2026
|UALosses project<ref name="UALosses">{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://ualosses.org/en/soldiers/|title=Ukraine's losses in the war |website=UALosses |date=7 January 2026}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|title=Важкі цифри: як сприймати нові дані про військові втрати – DW – 27.02.2024 |url=https://www.dw.com/uk/vazki-cifri-ak-sprijnali-ukrainci-novi-dani-pro-vijskovi-vtrati/a-68381601 |access-date=25 May 2024 |website=dw.com |language=uk}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" |Russian forces<br/>([[Russian separatist forces in Donbas|DPR/LPR]] excluded)
|'''285,023''' killed ([[Russia 200|conf. by names]])
|24 February 2022 – 30&nbsp;October 2026
|[[BBC News Russian]] and [[Mediazona]]<ref name="BBCMediazona">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/russian/articles/cqy4313ek09no |title=Сгорающая пехота. Что известно о потерях России в Украине |date=2026-10-30 |publisher=BBC |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20261030071020/https://www.bbc.com/russian/articles/cqy4313ek09no |archive-date=2026-10-30 |url-status=live}}<br/>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Russian casualties in Ukraine. Mediazona count, updated |work=[[Mediazona]] |url=https://en.zona.media/article/2022/05/11/casualties_eng |date=1 August 2025 |access-date=3 July 2026}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" |Russian forces<br/>([[Russian separatist forces in Donbas|Donetsk & Luhansk PR]])
|'''21,000–23,500''' killed
|24 February 2022 – 30 September 2024
|[[BBC News Russian]]<ref name="BBCMediazona"/>
|}
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+Estimated and claimed casualties
|-
! scope="col" |
! scope="col" |Numbers
! scope="col" |Time period
! scope="col" |Source
|-
! rowspan="2" ! scope="row" |Ukrainian civilians
|'''12,000''' killed (confirmed),{{efn|[[Casualties of the Russo-Ukrainian War#Civilian deaths|See here]] for a detailed breakdown of civilian deaths by oblast, according to Ukrainian authorities.}}<br/>'''16,000+''' captive{{efn|Some civilians have been reported to have died in captivity in Russia,<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|title=Thousands of Ukrainian civilians lost in hellish archipelago of Russian jails |url=https://news.sky.com/story/thousands-of-ukrainian-civilians-lost-in-hellish-archipelago-of-russian-jails-13368705 |date=16 May 2025 |website=[[Sky News]] |language=en}}</ref> like journalist [[Victoria Roshchyna]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|date=24 April 2025 |title=Ukraine brings back body of journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna tortured in Russian captivity, official says |url=https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-brings-back-body-of-journalist-viktoriia-roshchyna/ |access-date=24 April 2025 |website=[[The Kyiv Independent]] |language=en}}</ref>}}
|24 February 2022 – 17 June 2024<br/>24 February 2022 – 16 December 2024
|Ukraine<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/lishe-vstanovlennya-spravedlivogo-miru-ta-prityagnennya-agre-91613|title=Only the Establishment of a Just Peace and Holding the Aggressor to Account will Stop Russia's War Crimes in Ukraine – a Separate Discussion on the Humanitarian Dimension of the War Was Held at the Peace Summit|date=17 June 2024}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2024/12/16/7489343/|title=Over 16,000 Ukrainian civilians held captive in Russia – Ukraine's ombudsman|date=16 December 2024}}</ref>
|-
|'''2,883''' killed, '''8,260''' wounded<br/>(in DPR/LPR areas)
|17 February 2022 – 22 December 2024
|DPR{{efn|The DPR stated 1,799 of its civilians were killed and 6,902 wounded in its territories between 1 January 2022 and 22 December 2024,<ref>
* {{#invoke:cite|web|date=30 December 2022|title=Обзор социально-гуманитарной ситуации, сложившейся на территории Донецкой Народной Республики вследствие военных действий в период с 24 по 30 декабря 2022 г. |trans-title=Overview of the socio-humanitarian situation that developed on the territory of the Donetsk People's Republic as a result of military actions in the period from 24 December to 30 December 2022 |language=ru |publisher=Human rights Ombudsman in the Donetsk People's Republic |url=https://ombudsman-dnr.ru/obzor-soczialno-gumanitarnoj-situaczii-slozhivshejsya-na-territorii-doneczkoj-narodnoj-respubliki-vsledstvie-voennyh-dejstvij-v-period-s-24-po-30-dekabrya-2022-g/}}
* {{#invoke:cite|web|date=9 January 2024|title=Обзор социально-гуманитарной ситуации, сложившейся на территории Донецкой Народной Республики вследствие военных действий в период с 25 по 31 декабря 2023 г. |trans-title=Overview of the socio-humanitarian situation that developed on the territory of the Donetsk People's Republic as a result of military actions in the period from 25 December to 31 December 2023 |language=ru |publisher=Human rights Ombudsman in the Donetsk People's Republic |url=https://ombudsman-dnr.ru/obzor-soczialno-gumanitarnoj-situaczii-slozhivshejsya-na-territorii-doneczkoj-narodnoj-respubliki-vsledstvie-voennyh-dejstvij-v-period-s-25-po-31-dekabrya-2023-g/}}
* {{#invoke:cite|web|date=22 December 2024|title=Обзор социально-гуманитарной ситуации, сложившейся на территории Донецкой Народной Республики вследствие военных действий в период с 16 по 22 декабря 2024 г. |trans-title=Overview of the socio-humanitarian situation that developed on the territory of the Donetsk People's Republic as a result of military actions in the period from 16 December to 22 December 2024 |language=ru |publisher=Human rights Ombudsman in the Donetsk People's Republic |url=https://ombudsman-dnr.ru/obzor-soczialno-gumanitarnoj-situaczii-slozhivshejsya-na-territorii-doneczkoj-narodnoj-respubliki-vsledstvie-voennyh-dejstvij-v-period-s-16-po-22-dekabrya-2024-g/}}
</ref> of which 8 died and 23 were wounded between 1 January and 25 February 2022,<ref name="ombudsman1">{{#invoke:cite|web|date=12 February 2022 |title=The overview of the current social and humanitarian situation in the territory of the Donetsk People's Republic as a result of hostilities in the period from 19 and 25 February 2022 |url=https://eng.ombudsman-dnr.ru/the-overview-of-the-current-social-and-humanitarian-situation-in-the-territory-of-the-donetsk-peoples-republic-as-a-result-of-hostilities-in-the-period-from-19-and-25-february-2022/ |access-date=21 March 2022 |website=Human Rights Ombudsman in the Donetsk People's Republic}}</ref> leaving a total of 1,791 killed and 6,879 wounded in the period of the Russian invasion.}} and LPR<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|date=2 March 2023 |title=3,200 LPR civilians killed as a result of Kiev's aggression since 2014 – ombudsperson |website=lug-info.com |url=https://lug-info.com/en/news/3-200-lpr-civilians-killed-as-a-result-of-kiev-s-aggression-since-2014-ombudsperson |access-date=2 March 2023}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|date=28 December 2023 |title=Kiev artillery attacks claim 72 lives in LPR over year, 268 people wounded – ombudsperson |website=lug-info.com |url=https://lug-info.com/en/news/kiev-artillery-attacks-claim-72-lives-in-lpr-over-year-268-people-wounded-ombudsperson}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" |Russian civilians
|'''621''' killed (including [[Crimea]]), '''789''' missing
|24 February 2022 – 19 May 2025
|Russia<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|date=19 May 2025 |title=Ukrainian Attacks Have Killed 600 Russian Civilians Since Full-Scale Invasion, Chief Investigator Claims |work=The Moscow Times |url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/05/19/ukrainian-attacks-have-killed-600-russian-civilians-since-full-scale-invasion-chief-investigator-claims-a89131}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|title=Over 350 People Killed and Nearly 800 Still Missing in Kursk Region After Ukrainian Incursion, Prosecutor Says |website=The Moscow Times |date=28 May 2025 | url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/05/27/over-350-people-killed-and-nearly-800-still-missing-in-kursk-region-after-ukrainian-incursion-prosecutor-says-a89232 | access-date=28 May 2025}}</ref>
|-
! rowspan="3" scope="row" |Ukrainian forces
| '''80,000''' killed, '''400,000''' wounded
|24 February 2022 – before September 2024
|''[[The Wall Street Journal|WSJ]]'' citing confidential<br/>Ukrainian estimate<ref name="WSJ-Casualties"/>
|-
|'''60,000–100,000''' killed, '''400,000''' wounded
|24 February 2022 – 26 November 2024
|''[[The Economist]]'' estimate<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2024/11/26/how-many-ukrainian-soldiers-have-died |newspaper=[[The Economist]] |date=26 November 2024 |title=How many Ukrainian soldiers have died? |access-date=26 November 2024}}</ref>
|-
|'''55,000''' killed,<ref name="55k_reuters"/><ref name="55k_euronews"/><ref name="55k_bbc"/> '''380,000''' wounded,<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=17 February 2025 |title=Over 46,000 Ukrainian soldiers killed since start of Russia's full-scale war, Zelensky says |url=https://kyivindependent.com/over-46-000-ukrainian-soldiers-killed-since-start-of-war-zelensky-says/ |work=[[The Kyiv Independent]] |first=Kateryna |last=Hodunova |language=en }}</ref><br/>'''56,700''' missing,{{efn|name=missing|63,000 missing as of 17 February 2025.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=17 February 2025 |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250217-ukraine-war-death-toll-huge-but-not-fully-known |title=Ukraine war death toll: huge but not fully known |work=[[France 24]] }}</ref> 90 percent of which were thought to be soldiers,<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2025-02-13/icrc-number-of-missing-people-in-ukraine-and-russia-war-doubled-to-50-000-in-a-year |title=Red Cross Says Missing People in Ukraine and Russia War Doubles to 50,000 Over Past Year |date=13 February 2025 |website=USNEWS }}</ref> which would be around 56,700.}}<br/>'''8,000''' captured<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/30/world/europe/russia-ukraine-war-torture-abuse.html |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=30 October 2024 |title=Ukrainians Tell of Brutal Russian Repression in Occupied Territories }}</ref>
|24 February 2022 – 6 March 2025<br/>24 February 2022 – 17 February 2025<br/>24 February 2022 – 30 October 2024
|Ukraine
|-
! rowspan="3" scope="row" |Russian forces
|'''1,140,000''' killed and wounded
|24 February 2022 – 5 November 2025
|UK [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|MoD]] estimate<ref name="i174">{{#invoke:cite|web| last=Allison | first=George | title=Russian casualties exceed 1.1m since invasion says Britain | website=UK Defence Journal | date=6 November 2025 | url=https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/russian-casualties-exceed-1-1m-since-invasion-says-britain/ | access-date=9 November 2025}}</ref>
|-
|'''191,000–269,000''' killed
|24 February 2022 – 30 May 2025
|BBC News Russian<ref name="BBCMediazona"/>
|-
|'''1,505,380+''' killed and wounded,<br/>'''60,000''' missing
|24 February 2022 – 12 September 2026<br/>24 February 2022 – 4 February 2025
|Ukrainian [[Ministry of Defence (Ukraine)|MoD]] estimate<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=12 September 2026 |title=War in Ukraine. Total Combat Losses of the Russian Forces for Day 1,662 |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/ |access-date=12 September 2026 |work=[[Ukrainska Pravda]] }}</ref><br/>[[Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War|Government of Ukraine]]<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=4 February 2025 |title=Ukraine Sees Surge in Inquiries From Russian Families on Missing Soldiers |url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/02/04/ukraine-sees-surge-in-inquiries-from-russian-families-on-missing-soldiers-a87855 |work=[[Moscow Times]] }}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" |[[Korean People's Army|DPRK forces]]
|'''2,300''' killed,<br/>'''2''' captured{{efn|name=DPRK|In addition, Ukraine claimed six [[North Korea]]n soldiers were killed in a missile strike in early October 2024, while fighting alongside Russian forces. [[Ministry of National Defense (South Korea)|South Korea's Defense Minister]] said of this report it was "highly likely" true.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/n-korean-soldiers-highly-likely-065912286.html|title=N. Korean soldiers 'highly likely' killed in Ukraine: Seoul |work=Yahoo News }}</ref> However, Russia denied the reports.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=11 October 2024 |url=https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/10/11/kremlin-dismisses-reports-north-korean-soldiers-supporting-russia-in-ukraine |title=Kremlin dismisses reports of North Korean soldiers fighting for Russia in Ukraine |work=[[Euronews]] }}</ref>}}
|December 2024 – March 2026
|BBC News<ref>{{cite news |title=Thousands of North Koreans fought for Russia. A memorial hints at the death toll |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clypr5985ejo |access-date=8 May 2026 |work=[[BBC News]] |date=7 May 2026}}</ref>
|}

== War crimes and attacks on civilians ==
{{main|War crimes in the Russo-Ukrainian war (2022–present)|Russian attacks on civilians in the Russo-Ukrainian war (2022–present)}}

[[File:Bucha after Russian occupation (06).jpg|thumb|right|Dead bodies following the [[Bucha massacre]] by Russian troops]]
The Russian military and authorities have been responsible for deliberate [[Attacks on civilians in the Russian invasion of Ukraine|attacks against civilian targets]]<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=9 April 2022 |title=Chernihiv: Are these Russia's weapons of war? |work=[[BBC News]] |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61036880 |access-date=3 May 2022}}
* {{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Gall |first1=Carlotta |last2=Kramer |first2=Andrew E. |date=3 April 2022 |title=In a Kyiv Suburb,'They Shot Everyone They Saw' |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/03/world/europe/ukraine-russia-war-civilian-deaths.html |access-date=3 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220412065516/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/03/world/europe/ukraine-russia-war-civilian-deaths.html |archive-date=12 April 2022 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> (including [[Russian strikes on hospitals during the Russian invasion of Ukraine|strikes on hospitals]] and [[Russian strikes against Ukrainian infrastructure (2022–present)|on the energy grid]]), massacres of civilians, abduction and torture of civilians, [[Sexual violence in the Russian invasion of Ukraine|sexual violence]],<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/23/world/europe/russia-ukraine-war-crimes-united-nations.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220924015357/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/23/world/europe/russia-ukraine-war-crimes-united-nations.html |archive-date=24 September 2022 |title=U.N. Experts find that war crimes have been committed in Ukraine |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=23 September 2022 |last1=Cumming-Bruce |first1=Nick}}
* {{#invoke:cite|news|last=Macias |first=Amanda |title=UN report details horrifying Ukrainian accounts of rape, torture and executions by Russian troops |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/10/28/russia-ukraine-war-un-report-details-accounts-of-rape-torture-and-executions.html |access-date=29 January 2023 |work=[[CNBC]] |date=28 October 2022 }}</ref> forced deportation of civilians, and torture and murder of Ukrainian prisoners of war. They have also carried out [[indiscriminate attack]]s in densely populated areas, including [[Use of cluster munitions in the Russian invasion of Ukraine|with cluster bombs]], in one instance killing 61 people in the [[Kramatorsk railway station attack]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|journal|year=2022 |title=Update on the human rights situation in Ukraine |url=https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/2022-03/HRMMU_Update_2022-03-26_EN.pdf |journal=Ukraine |volume=2 |issue=1 |via=[[United Nations Human Rights Council]] |access-date=19 January 2023 |archive-date=1 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401192931/https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/2022-03/HRMMU_Update_2022-03-26_EN.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=24 May 2022 |title=Ukraine destruction: how the Guardian documented Russia's use of illegal weapons |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/may/24/ukraine-destruction-how-the-guardian-documented-russia-use-of-weapons |access-date=19 January 2023 |work=[[The Guardian]] |issn=1756-3224 |oclc=60623878 |archive-date=29 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220829060748/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/may/24/ukraine-destruction-how-the-guardian-documented-russia-use-of-weapons |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|book|year=2022 |title=Cluster Munition Monitor 2022 |url=http://www.the-monitor.org/media/3348257/Cluster-Munition-Monitor-2022-Web_HR.pdf |publisher=Cluster Munition Coalition |isbn=978-2-9701476-1-9 |via=The Monitor |access-date=19 January 2023 |archive-date=27 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220827072718/http://www.the-monitor.org/media/3348257/Cluster-Munition-Monitor-2022-Web_HR.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="z362">{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Deadliest civilian attacks in Russia's invasion of Ukraine |work=[[Reuters]] |date=5 October 2023 |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/deadliest-civilian-attacks-russias-invasion-ukraine-2023-10-05/ |access-date=15 February 2025 }}</ref> According to [[Kyrylo Budanov]], the chief of Ukrainian intelligence, Russia, before the start of the invasion, had created 'execution lists' of Ukrainian teachers, journalists, scientists, writers, priests, and politicians and was preparing for a [[genocide]] of Ukrainians; the plans included locations of [[mass grave]]s and mobile [[crematorium|crematoria]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|title=Russia was Preparing for a New Genocide of Ukrainians Long Before the Full-Scale Invasion, – Kyrylo Budanov |url=https://gur.gov.ua/en/content/do-novoho-henotsydu-ukraintsiv-rosiia-hotuvalas-zadovho-do-povnomasshtabnoho-vtorhnennia-kyrylo-budanov |website=Main Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine |date=23 November 2024 }}</ref>

[[File:Destructions in Zaporizhzhia after Russian attack, 2025-01-08 (01).jpg|thumb|Aftermath of a Russian airstrike on Zaporizhzhia on 8 January 2025, which killed 13 people and wounded many more<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Update: Russian airstrike on Zaporizhzhia industrial site kills 13, injures 122 |url=https://kyivindependent.com/russian-strike-on-zaporizhzhia-industrial-site-kills-1-injures-at-least-30/ |work=[[Kyiv Independent]] |date=8 January 2025}}</ref>]]

According to the [[Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights|United Nations' Human Rights Office]] (OHCHR), by December 2023, about 78% of confirmed civilian casualties had been killed in Ukrainian-held territory.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://ukraine.un.org/sites/default/files/2024-01/Ukraine%20-%20protection%20of%20civilians%20in%20armed%20conflict%20%28December%202023%29_ENG_0.pdf |title=Ukraine: protection of civilians in armed conflict. December 2023 update |publisher=[[Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights]] |website=ukraine.un.org }} Total civilians killed: 10,191; Killed in Ukrainian government-controlled territories: 7,967; Killed in Russian-occupied territories: 2,224.</ref> Over 12,300 civilians have been killed since the invasion began.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Over 12,300 civilians killed since start of Ukraine war, UN says |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/over-12300-civilians-killed-since-start-ukraine-war-un-says-2025-01-08/ |work=[[Reuters]] |date=8 January 2025 }}</ref> Russia has deliberately and repeatedly attacked Ukrainian civilians with [[First-person view (radio control)|FPV drones]], including [[first responder]]s,<ref name="p704">{{#invoke:cite|web|title=UN Commission concludes that Russian armed forces' drone attacks against civilians in Kherson Province amount to crimes against humanity of murder |website=[[OHCHR]] |date=28 May 2025 |url=https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2025/05/un-commission-concludes-russian-armed-forces-drone-attacks-against-civilians |access-date=29 May 2025 }}</ref> such as in the Kherson terror campaign dubbed the "[[Human safari (terror campaign)|human safari]]."<ref name="p249">{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Hambling |first=David |title=Terrifying 'Human Safari' In Kherson As Russian Drones Hunt Civilians |website=[[Forbes]] |date=11 October 2024 |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidhambling/2024/10/11/terrifying-human-safari-in-kherson-as-russian-drones-hunt-civilians/ |access-date=6 February 2025}}</ref><ref name="z211">{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Limaye |first=Yogita |title=Drone strikes on civilians suggest new Russian terror tactic in Ukraine |work=[[BBC News]] |date=31 October 2024 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c207gz7key6o |access-date=6 February 2025 }}</ref><ref name="v798">{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Horton |first1=Alex |last2=Korolchuk |first2=Serhii |title=Russian drones hunt civilians in streets of southern Ukrainian city |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=31 October 2024 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/10/31/kherson-ukraine-russia-drone-attacks/ |access-date=6 February 2025 }}</ref> In October 2025, the UN concluded that the Russian military was systematically attacking Ukrainian civilians and civilian targets with drones along a 300-kilometre stretch of the [[Dnipro River]] to drive Ukrainians out of the region. The report said that these are war crimes and crimes against humanity.<ref name="OHCHR report Oct 25">{{#invoke:cite|web|title=Russian authorities committed crimes against humanity targeting civilian population through drone attacks as well as war crimes of forcible transfer and deportation of civilians |url=https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2025/10/russian-authorities-committed-crimes-against-humanity-targeting-civilian |website=[[OHCHR]] |date=28 October 2025}}</ref>

The UN Human Rights Office reports that Russia is committing severe [[Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine#Violations and war crimes|human rights violations in occupied Ukraine]], including [[Arbitrary arrest and detention|arbitrary detentions]]; [[enforced disappearance]]s; torture; crackdown on [[2022 protests in Russian-occupied Ukraine|protests]] and [[freedom of speech]]; enforced [[Russification]]; indoctrination of children, and suppression of Ukrainian language and culture.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=9 March 2022 |title=Ordinary Ukrainians are resisting Vladimir Putin's occupying force in Kherson and elsewhere |newspaper=[[The Economist]] |url=https://www.economist.com/europe/ordinary-ukrainians-are-resisting-vladimir-putins-occupying-force-in-kherson-and-elsewhere/21808101 |url-access=subscription |access-date=10 March 2022}}</ref><ref name="UN report March 24">{{#invoke:cite|news|title=UN report details 'climate of fear' in Russian occupied areas of Ukraine |work=UN News |url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/03/1147776 |date=20 March 2024}}</ref> The UN also found that Russian authorities were systematically deporting Ukrainian civilians from occupied provinces, which is a crime against humanity.<ref name="OHCHR report Oct 25"/> Ukrainians have been [[Passportization|coerced into taking Russian passports]] and becoming Russian citizens. Those who refuse are denied healthcare and other rights,<ref name="UN report March 24"/> and can be imprisoned as a "foreign citizen." Ukrainian men who take Russian citizenship are drafted to fight against Ukraine.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Takeaways into AP investigation into Russian system to force its passports on occupied Ukraine |url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-occupation-passports-citizenship-fa49f7f348f6283ab06db0512fd23eda |work=[[Associated Press]] |date=15 March 2024 |first1=Lori |last1=Hinnant |first2=Vasilisa |last2=Stepanenko |first3=Samya |last3=Kullab |last4=Hanna |first4=Arhipova }}</ref>

Russian forces have reportedly used banned [[chemical weapons]], usually [[tear gas]] grenades.<ref name="Hambling 2023 z855">{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Hambling |first=David |title=What We Know About Russian Chemical Weapon Attacks |website=[[Forbes]] |date=29 December 2023 |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidhambling/2023/12/29/what-we-know-about-russian-chemical-weapon-attacks/ |access-date=23 March 2024 }}</ref><ref name="Field 2024 s609">{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Field |first=Matt |title=Russia appears to be using chemical weapons in Ukraine. And admitting it. |website=Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists |date=15 March 2024 |url=https://thebulletin.org/2024/03/russia-appears-to-be-using-chemical-weapons-in-ukraine-and-admitting-it/ |access-date=23 March 2024}}</ref> In April 2024, a ''[[The Daily Telegraph|Daily Telegraph]]'' investigation concluded that "Russian troops are carrying out a systematic campaign of illegal chemical attacks against Ukrainian soldiers".<ref name="The Telegraph 2024 g413">{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Rushton |first=James |date=6 April 2024 |title=Russia carrying out illegal chemical attacks on Ukrainian soldiers |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/04/06/russia-using-illegal-chemical-attacks-against-ukraine/ |access-date=7 April 2024 |website=[[The Daily Telegraph]] }}</ref>

In January 2026, the UN reported that 2025 had been the deadliest year for Ukrainian civilians since 2022, with 2,514 deaths and 12,142 injuries being verified during the year, a 31% increase compared to 2024. The report said that a "massive increase" of Russian long-range weapons was causing increased harm in urban centres.<ref name="d405">{{cite web | title=2025 deadliest year for civilians in Ukraine since 2022, UN human rights monitors find | website=UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine | date=12 January 2026 | url=https://ukraine.ohchr.org/en/2025-deadliest-year-for-civilians-in-Ukraine-since-2022-UN-human-rights-monitors-find | access-date=15 January 2026}}</ref><ref name="l054">{{cite web | last=Davies | first=Maia | title=Ukraine war: Last year was deadliest for civilians since 2022, UN says | website=BBC Home | date=13 January 2026 | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gv27517yxo | access-date=15 January 2026}}</ref>

=== Prisoners of war ===
{{Main|Prisoners of war in the Russo-Ukrainian war (2022–present)}}

[[File:Military of the Russian Federation captured during the Battle of Sumy.jpg|thumb|Russian soldiers captured during the [[Battle of Sumy]]]]
An August 2022 report by the Humanitarian Research Lab of the [[Yale School of Public Health]] identified 21 [[Russian filtration camps for Ukrainians|filtration camps]] for Ukrainian "civilians, POWs [prisoners of war], and other personnel" in the vicinity of the Donetsk oblast. Imaging of one camp, [[Olenivka, Kalmiuske Raion|Olenivka prison]], found two sites of disturbed earth consistent with "potential graves."<ref name="Yale School of Medicine">{{#invoke:cite|news|date=25 August 2022 |title=Yale researchers identify 21 sites in Donetsk oblast, Ukraine used for civilian interrogation, processing, and detention |url=https://medicine.yale.edu/news-article/yale-researchers-identify-21-sites-in-donetsk-oblast-ukraine-used-for-civilian-interrogation-processing-and-detention/ |access-date=27 August 2022 |work=[[Yale School of Medicine]] }}</ref> Kaveh Khoshnood, a professor at the Yale School of Public Health, said: "Incommunicado detention of civilians is more than a violation of international humanitarian law—it represents a threat to the public health of those currently in the custody of Russia and its proxies." Conditions described by freed prisoners include exposure, insufficient access to sanitation, food, and water; cramped conditions; electrical shocks; and assault.<ref name="Yale School of Medicine"/>

An [[OHCHR]] report released in November 2022 documented abuses on both sides, based on interviews with prisoners.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Waterhouse |first1=James |date=16 February 2023 |title=Ukraine war: Inside a prisoner of war camp for Russians |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64637928 |access-date=26 February 2025 |work=[[BBC News]] }}</ref> In March 2023, UN human rights commissioner [[Volker Türk]] reported that more than 90% of the Ukrainian POWs interviewed by his office said they had been tortured or ill-treated in penitentiary facilities, which Russia, despite several requests, did not give UN staff access to.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|title=On Ukraine, High Commissioner Türk details severe violations and calls for a just peace |url=https://www.ohchr.org/en/statements/2023/03/ukraine-high-commissioner-turk-details-severe-violations-and-calls-just-peace |access-date=4 April 2023 |website=[[OHCHR]] }}</ref>

In April 2023, several videos circulated on different websites purportedly showing Russian soldiers beheading Ukrainian soldiers.<ref name="AP NEWS 2023">{{#invoke:cite|news|date=12 April 2023 |title=Ukraine's outrage grows over video seeming to show beheading |url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-beheading-video-54d6dca30e5e326f6287a60602a8e5cb |access-date=17 April 2023 |work=[[AP News]] }}
* {{#invoke:cite|news|date=12 April 2023 |title=Zelenskyy slams 'beasts' in gruesome beheading video; Kremlin calls footage 'terrible' |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/04/12/russia-ukraine-live-updates.html |access-date=26 September 2023 |work=[[CNBC]] }}
* {{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Belam |first1=Martin |last2=Chao-Fong |first2=Léonie |date=12 April 2023 |title=Russia-Ukraine war at a glance: what we know on day 413 of the invasion |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/apr/12/russia-ukraine-war-at-a-glance-what-we-know-on-day-413-of-the-invasion |access-date=26 September 2023 |work=[[The Guardian]] |issn=0261-3077 }}
* {{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Cotovio |first1=Vasco |last2=Carey |first2=Andrew |last3=Pennington |first3=Josh |last4=Kesaieva |first4=Yulia |date=12 April 2023 |title=Zelensky slams 'beasts' who purportedly beheaded Ukrainian soldiers after video emerges |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/11/europe/beheading-videos-ukraine-intl-hnk-ml/index.html |access-date=26 September 2023 |work=[[CNN]] }}
* {{#invoke:cite|news|title=Ukraine says Russia 'worse than ISIS' after beheading video |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/4/12/ukraine-says-russia-worse-than-isis-after-beheading-video |access-date=26 September 2023 |work=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]] }}</ref>

In March 2024, the UN issued a report saying Russia may have executed more than 30 recently captured Ukrainian POWs over the winter. The UN Human Rights Office verified three incidents in which Russian servicemen executed seven Ukrainian servicemen. According to the same report, 39 of 60 released Ukrainian POWs said that they had been subjected to sexual violence during their internment.<ref name="Melkozerova 2024 g984">{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Melkozerova |first=Veronika |date=27 March 2024 |title=Russia executed Ukrainian POWs, UN report says |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/russia-executed-32-ukrainian-prisioners-war-winter-un-report-reads/ |access-date=27 March 2024 |work=[[Politico]] }}</ref>

In October 2024, the [[European External Action Service|EEAS]] described an increasing frequency of Russian executions of Ukrainian prisoners, with at least 177 prisoners dying in Russian captivity since the beginning of the war. The statement included the OHCHR's confirmation of systematic use of different methods of torture used by Russians against Ukrainian prisoners.<ref name="m314">{{#invoke:cite|web|date=16 October 2024 |title=Ukraine/Russia: Statement by the High Representative on the killing of Ukrainian prisoners of war |url=https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/ukrainerussia-statement-high-representative-killing-ukrainian-prisoners-war_en |access-date=25 January 2025 |website=EEAS }}</ref>

The Ukrainian Armed Forces have been accused of executions and abuses of Russian POWs, but the number of allegations has been significantly lower.<ref name="Report_OHCHR">{{Cite report |url=https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/country-reports/situation-human-rights-ukraine-context-armed-attack-russian-federation |title=The situation of human rights in Ukraine in the context of the armed attack by the Russian Federation, 24 February to 15 May 2022 |date=29 June 2022 |publisher=[[OHCHR]] |access-date=27 July 2022 }}</ref>{{rp|at=para. 105}}<ref name="NYT-Russian-POW">{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Shull |first=Abbie |title=Video appears to show Ukrainian soldiers executing Russian soldier captured in an ambush outside Kyiv, New York Times reports |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/video-appears-to-show-ukrainian-soldiers-executing-captured-russian-soldier-nyt-2022-4 |access-date=7 April 2022 |website=[[Business Insider]] }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Gibbons-Neff |first1=Thomas |title=In Ukraine, Killings of Surrendering Russians Divide an American-Led Unit |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/06/world/europe/ukraine-russia-killings-us.html |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=6 July 2024 |access-date=4 March 2025 }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|title=Report on the Human Rights Situation in Ukraine (1 December 2023 – 29 February 2024) |url=https://ukraine.un.org/sites/default/files/2024-04/report-human-rights-situation-ukraine-1-dec-2023-29-feb-2024.pdf |website=ukraine.un.org |publisher=[[OHCHR]] |access-date=13 March 2025 |pages=14–15 }}</ref>

=== Abduction of Ukrainian children ===
{{main|Child abductions in the Russo-Ukrainian war}}

[[File:Открытие смены для детей из Херсонской и Запорожской областей, прибывших в Евпаторию, 2022, 01.jpg|thumb|Ukrainian children from [[Kherson Oblast|Kherson]] and [[Zaporizhzhia Oblast|Zaporizhzhia]] oblasts at [[Yevpatoria]], [[Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine|Russian-occupied Crimea]], October 2022]]
In June 2024, an investigation by the ''[[Financial Times]]'' identified four Ukrainian children on a Russian government-linked adoption website who had been abducted from state care homes. The children's Ukrainian background was not mentioned. One child was shown with a new Russian name and an age that differed from their Ukrainian documents, while another was shown using a Russian version of their Ukrainian name. 17 other matches identified by the ''Financial Times'' on the adoption website were confirmed as Ukrainian children in a ''New York Times'' investigation. Ukrainian authorities estimate that nearly 20,000 Ukrainian children have been forcibly taken from occupied territories to Russia since the full-scale invasion began. Wayne Jordash, president of humanitarian law firm Global Rights Compliance, described forcibly transferring or deporting children as war crimes, adding that when done as part of a widespread or systematic attack on a civilian population, Russia is also committing crimes against humanity.<ref name="k182">{{#invoke:cite|news|title=FT investigation finds Ukrainian children on Russian adoption sites |work=[[Financial Times]] |date=12 June 2024 |url=https://www.ft.com/content/2d0013d2-a407-449f-b1e2-3d14fe65188f |access-date=13 June 2024 |last1=Miller |first1=Christopher |last2=Joiner |first2=Sam |last3=Killing |first3=Alison |last4=Andringa |first4=Peter |last5=Campbell |first5=Chris |last6=Stognei |first6=Anastasia |last7=Learner |first7=Sam }}</ref><ref name="t017">{{#invoke:cite|news|title=US aware of 'credible' reports Russia is listing Ukrainian children for adoption, White House says |work=[[Reuters]] |date=12 June 2024 |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us-aware-credible-reports-russia-is-listing-ukrainian-children-adoption-white-2024-06-12/ |access-date=13 June 2024 }}</ref>

A March 2025 report published by the ISW suggests that the mass transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia had been an established component of Russia's war plans prior to the invasion. It references Russian governmental documents that predate the invasion, which outlined plans to move Ukrainian orphans in occupied Ukraine to Russia, described as 'humanitarian evacuations.' Since the invasion, tens to hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian children have been deported to Russia, where they have been housed in camps, placed with adoptive families, and provided with new Russian identities, including new names, falsified birth certificates, and other state documentation. The report claims that Russia intends to convert the abductees into 'the next generation of Russians' while 'depriving [Ukraine] of its multi-generation potential.' Referencing Article 2 of the [[Genocide Convention]], the author notes that 'international law explicitly forbids the forcible transfer of children from one group to another group for the purpose of destroying, in whole or in part, a national or ethnic group and considers these violations as constituent acts of genocide.'<ref name="o490">{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Hird |first=Karolina |title=Putin is Still Stealing Ukrainian Children |website=[[Institute for the Study of War]] |date=24 March 2025 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/putin-still-stealing-ukrainian-children |access-date=23 October 2025 }}</ref>

In August 2025, [[Mykola Kuleba]], the head of a Ukrainian [[Non-governmental organization|NGO]], said that Russian occupation authorities in Ukraine had created an online "catalog" of Ukrainian children up for adoption sorted by physical traits, denouncing the practice as [[Trafficking of children|child trafficking]].<ref name="r419">{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Fornusek |first=Martin | title=Russia launches 'catalog' of Ukrainian children for adoption, sorted by eye and hair color | website=The Kyiv Independent | date=7 August 2025 | url=https://kyivindependent.com/russia-launches-catalogue-of-ukrainian-children-for-adoption-sorted-by-eye-and-hair-color/ | access-date=13 August 2025}}</ref><ref name="n637">{{#invoke:cite|web| last=Vakulina | first=Sasha | title=Russia creates 'catalogue' of Ukrainian children for adoption | website=euronews | date=8 August 2025 | url=https://www.euronews.com/2025/08/08/stolen-children-marketplace-russia-creates-catalogue-of-ukrainian-kids-for-adoption | access-date=28 August 2025}}</ref><ref name="s452">{{#invoke:cite|web| title=Russian occupation authorities publish database of Ukrainian children for adoption, sortable by hair and eye color | website=Meduza | date=8 August 2025 | url=https://meduza.io/en/feature/2025/08/08/russian-occupation-authorities-publish-database-of-ukrainian-children-for-adoption-sortable-by-hair-and-eye-color | access-date=28 August 2025}}</ref><ref name="b387">{{#invoke:cite|web| last=Cookman | first=Liz | title=Russia 'running slave catalogue of Ukrainian children to adopt' | website=The Times and The Sunday Times | date=8 August 2025 | url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/russia-ukraine-war/article/orphans-adoption-website-children-3bfnd2k5d | access-date=28 August 2025}}</ref>

=== International arrest warrants ===
{{Main|International Criminal Court arrest warrants for Russian leaders}}

[[File:Zapad-2021 strategic military exercises (2021-09-13) 2.jpg|thumb|Three of the indicted individuals (left to right): Valery Gerasimov, Vladimir Putin and Sergei Shoigu]]
The [[International Criminal Court]] (ICC) opened [[International Criminal Court investigation in Ukraine|an investigation]] into possible [[crimes against humanity]], [[Allegations of genocide of Ukrainians in the Russian invasion of Ukraine|genocide]], and war crimes committed in Ukraine.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Allegretti |first=Aubrey |date=3 March 2022 |title=ICC launches war crimes investigation over Russian invasion of Ukraine |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/03/icc-launches-war-crimes-investigation-russia-invasion-ukraine |access-date=11 February 2023 |issn=0261-3077 }}
* {{#invoke:cite|web|title=Ukraine |url=https://www.icc-cpi.int/ukraine |access-date=11 February 2023 |website=[[International Criminal Court]] }}</ref> On 17 March 2023, the ICC issued a warrant for Putin's arrest, charging him with individual criminal responsibility in the [[Child abductions in the Russian invasion of Ukraine|abduction of children]] forcibly deported to Russia.<ref name="issues_warrant_2023_03_17_reuters">{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us-says-video-shows-russian-jet-intercepted-spy-drone-near-ukraine-2023-03-16/ |title=Ukraine war: International court issues warrant for Putin's arrest |date=17 March 2023 |work=[[Reuters]] |access-date=18 March 2023 }}
* {{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://www.icc-cpi.int/news/situation-ukraine-icc-judges-issue-arrest-warrants-against-vladimir-vladimirovich-putin-and |title=Situation in Ukraine: ICC judges issue arrest warrants against Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin and Maria Alekseyevna Lvova-Belova |date=17 March 2023 |website=[[International Criminal Court]] |access-date=18 March 2023 }}
* {{#invoke:cite|web|last=Hofmański |first=Piotr |author-link=Piotr Hofmański |date=17 March 2023 |title=ICC arrest warrants in the situation of Ukraine: Statement by President Piotr Hofmański |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbKhCAaRLfc |website=[[YouTube]] |publisher=[[International Criminal Court]] |format=video}}
* {{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Corder |first1=Mike |last2=Casert |first2=Raf |date=17 March 2023 |title=ICC issues arrest warrant for Putin over Ukraine war crimes |work=[[Associated Press]] |url=https://apnews.com/article/icc-putin-war-crimes-ukraine-9857eb68d827340394960eccf0589253 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230317153603/https://apnews.com/article/icc-putin-war-crimes-ukraine-9857eb68d827340394960eccf0589253 |archive-date=17 March 2023}}
* {{#invoke:cite|news|last=Michaels |first=Daniel |date=17 March 2023 |title=U.N. Court Issues Arrest Warrant for Russia's Putin And Another Kremlin Official |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-n-court-issues-arrest-warrant-for-russias-putin-and-another-kremlin-official-d3b9cb8e?mod=Searchresults_pos1&page=1 }}
* {{#invoke:cite|news|last=Fowler |first=Sarah |date=17 March 2023 |title="No excuse to deport children to Russia, says ICC prosecutor," |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-europe-64994087 |work=[[BBC News]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230317155622/https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-europe-64994087 |archive-date=17 March 2023}}</ref> It was the first time that the ICC had issued an arrest warrant for the head of state of a [[Permanent members of the United Nations Security Council|permanent member]] of the [[United Nations Security Council]]<ref name="issues_warrant_2023_03_17_reuters"/> (the world's five principal nuclear powers).<ref name="nuclear_powers">{{#invoke:cite|book|url=https://sipri.org/sites/default/files/SIPRIYB20c10s0.pdf |at=Table 10.1. World nuclear forces, January 2020; page 326 |chapter=10: "World nuclear forces" |title=Military Spending and Armaments, 2019 |publisher=[[Stockholm International Peace Research Institute]] (SIPRI) |access-date=18 March 2023 }}</ref> Moscow has denied any involvement in war crimes, a response Vittorio Bufacchi of [[University College Cork]] says "has bordered on the farcical",<ref>{{#invoke:cite|journal|first1=Vittorio |last1=Bufacchi |title=War crimes in Ukraine: is Putin responsible? |page=6 |date=26 July 2022 |doi=10.1080/2158379X.2022.2105495 |volume=16 |issue=1 |journal=[[Journal of Political Power]] |s2cid=251124184 |doi-access=free |hdl=10468/13459 |hdl-access=free}}</ref> and its contention that the images coming out of Bucha were fabricated is "a disingenuous response born by delusional hubris, post-truth on overdrive, (that) does not merit being taken seriously." Even the usually fractured [[United States Senate]] came together to call Putin a war criminal.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-senate-unanimously-condemns-putin-war-criminal-2022-03-15/ |title=U.S. Senate unanimously condemns Putin as war criminal |first=Moira |last=Warburton |date=15 March 2022 }}</ref>

One of several efforts to document Russian war crimes concerns its repeated bombardment of markets and bread lines, destruction of basic infrastructure, and attacks on exports and supply convoys in a country where [[Holodomor|deliberate starvation of Ukrainians by Soviets]] still looms large in public memory.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|first1=Dan |last1=Sabbagh |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/24/war-crimes-dossier-to-accuse-russia-of-deliberately-causing-starvation-in-ukraine |title=War crimes dossier to accuse Russia of deliberately causing starvation in Ukraine |date=24 September 2023 |work=[[The Guardian]] }}</ref> Forcible deportation of populations, such as took place in Mariupol, is another area of focus.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|journal|first1=Victoria |last1=Colvin |first2=Phil |last2=Orchard |title=Forced deportations and the Ukraine war: Russian culpability in atrocity crimes |doi=10.1177/26330024231167184 |volume=3 |issue=2 |date=28 March 2023 |journal=Violence |pages=281–300 |s2cid=257852247 |doi-access=free}}</ref>

In March 2024, the ICC issued arrest warrants for military officials [[Sergey Kobylash]], [[Viktor Sokolov (naval officer)|Viktor Sokolov]], [[Sergei Shoigu]], and [[Valery Gerasimov]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://www.icc-cpi.int/news/situation-ukraine-icc-judges-issue-arrest-warrants-against-sergei-ivanovich-kobylash-and |title=Situation in Ukraine: ICC judges issue arrest warrants against Sergei Ivanovich Kobylash and Viktor Nikolayevich Sokolov |work=International Criminal Court |publisher=[[International Criminal Court]] |date=5 March 2024 |access-date=5 March 2024 }}</ref><ref name="WarCrime">{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jun/25/icc-issues-arrest-warrants-for-russias-sergei-shoigu-and-valery-gerasimov |last=Roth |first=Andrew |title=ICC issues arrest warrants for Russian officials over alleged Ukraine war crimes |date=25 June 2024 |work=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=25 June 2024 }}</ref> In May 2026, a special tribunal was formalized by 36 countries to prosecute Putin for the [[crime of aggression]] against Ukraine.<ref name="c728">{{cite web | last=Liboreiro | first=Jorge | title='Point of no return': 36 countries join tribunal to prosecute Putin | website=euronews | date=15 May 2026 | url=https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2026/05/15/point-of-no-return-36-countries-join-special-tribunal-to-prosecute-vladimir-putin | access-date=18 May 2026}}</ref>

== Impacts ==
=== Humanitarian impact ===
{{main|Humanitarian impacts of the Russo-Ukrainian war (2022–present)}}

The invasion contributed to the [[2022–2023 global food crises|2022 food crises]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=27 August 2022 |title=Ukraine exports 1 million tonnes of grain under new deal, train attacks may be war crimes, experts say |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-08-27/ukraine-has-exported-1-million-tonnes-of-food-under-grain-deal/101379084 |access-date=27 August 2022 |publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC]] }}</ref> As of February 2025, 3.7 million Ukrainians were internally displaced and 6.9 million were refugees.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|title=Ukraine Refugee Crisis: Aid, Statistics and News {{!}} USA for UNHCR |url=https://www.unrefugees.org/emergencies/ukraine/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250425182826/https://www.unrefugees.org/emergencies/ukraine/ |archive-date=25 April 2025 |access-date=25 April 2025 |website=unrefugees.org |language=en}}</ref>

Russian attacks on civilians, causing mass civilian casualties and displacement, have been characterised as [[genocide]] and [[democide]].<ref name="Etkind">{{#invoke:cite|journal|last=Etkind |first=Alexander |year=2022 |title=Ukraine, Russia, and Genocide of Minor Differences |journal=[[Journal of Genocide Research]] |volume=25 |issue=3–4 |publisher=[[Taylor & Francis]] |pages=1–19 |doi=10.1080/14623528.2022.2082911 |s2cid=249527690}}</ref><ref name="h710"/><ref name="q611"/><ref name="v008">{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Richardson |first=Jon |date=11 March 2024 |title=Unmarked graves, violent repression and cultural erasure: the devastating human toll of Russia's invasion of Ukraine |url=https://theconversation.com/unmarked-graves-violent-repression-and-cultural-erasure-the-devastating-human-toll-of-russias-invasion-of-ukraine-223337 |access-date=6 July 2024 |website=[[The Conversation (website)|The Conversation]] }}</ref> In September 2023, a UN-mandated investigative body reported that Russian occupiers had tortured Ukrainians to death and forced families to listen as they raped women.<ref name="Farge 2023 r049">{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Farge |first=Emma |date=25 September 2023 |title=Russia tortured some Ukrainian victims to death, UN inquiry says |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-tortured-some-ukrainian-victims-death-un-inquiry-says-2023-09-25/ |access-date=26 September 2023 |work=[[Reuters]] }}</ref> The commission previously found that violations committed by Russian forces in Ukraine may constitute [[crimes against humanity]].<ref name="Gabrielle Tétrault-Farber 2023 t397">{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Gabrielle Tétrault-Farber |last2=Emma Farge |date=16 March 2023 |title=UN inquiry finds |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-has-committed-wide-range-war-crimes-ukraine-un-inquiry-finds-2023-03-16/ |access-date=26 September 2023 |work=[[Reuters]] }}</ref>

By August 2024, the [[WHO]] had recorded 1,940 [[Russian strikes on hospitals during the Russian invasion of Ukraine|attacks against Ukrainian healthcare]] and reported widespread [[Double tap strike|double-tap]] attacks.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|title=Grim milestone on World Humanitarian Day: WHO records 1940 attacks on health care in Ukraine since start of full-scale war |url=https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/19-08-2024-grim-milestone-on-world-humanitarian-day--who-records-1940-attacks-on-health-care-in-ukraine-since-start-of-full-scale-war |access-date=25 April 2025 |website=who.int |language=en}}</ref> In 2023, [[Physicians for Human Rights]] described Russian attacks on Ukraine's healthcare system as having a "reasonable basis" to be considered war crimes, and potentially constitute crimes against humanity.<ref name="PHR 2023 i908">{{#invoke:cite|web|date=7 August 2023 |title=Destruction and Devastation: One Year of Russia's Assault on Ukraine's Health Care System |url=https://phr.org/our-work/resources/russias-assault-on-ukraines-health-care-system/ |access-date=17 December 2023 |website=PHR}}</ref>

==== Cultural heritage ====
{{Main|Ukrainian culture during the Russian invasion of Ukraine}}

As of August 2025, [[UNESCO]] has verified damage to 508 Ukrainian cultural sites, including 151 religious sites, 34 museums, 33 monuments, and 18 libraries.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|title=Damaged cultural sites in Ukraine verified by UNESCO |url=https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/damaged-cultural-sites-ukraine-verified-unesco |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413132416/https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/damaged-cultural-sites-ukraine-verified-unesco |archive-date=13 April 2022 |access-date=25 April 2025 |website=[[UNESCO]]}}</ref> In 2022, the [[European Parliament]] labelled Russia's destruction of Ukrainian cultural property a war crime.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|date=20 October 2022 |title=Destruction of cultural heritage is a war crime |url=https://www.eppgroup.eu/newsroom/news/destruction-of-cultural-heritage-is-a-war-crime |website=EPP Group in the European Parliament}}{{retrieved|access-date=14 February 2023}}</ref> Ukraine's [[Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications|Minister of Culture]] [[Oleksandr Tkachenko (journalist)|Oleksandr Tkachenko]] called it [[cultural genocide]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=13 September 2022 |title=Salvaging Ukraine's culture: Country's history & language under threat |url=https://www.euronews.com/culture/2022/09/13/its-cultural-genocide-ukraines-culture-minister-trying-to-salvage-the-countrys-artifacts |access-date=11 November 2022 |publisher=[[Euronews]]}}</ref>

The documentary film ''[[20 Days in Mariupol]]'' won the [[Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature Film|Oscar for best documentary]] in [[97th Academy Awards|2024]].<ref name="Pulver Shoard 2024 a031">{{#invoke:cite|web|last1=Pulver |first1=Andrew |last2=Shoard |first2=Catherine |date=11 March 2024 |title=Ukraine war film 20 Days in Mariupol wins Oscar for best documentary |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2024/mar/11/20-days-in-mariupol-documentary-oscar |access-date=14 March 2024 |website=The Guardian}}</ref>

=== Refugee crisis ===
{{Main|Ukrainian refugee crisis}}

{{See also|Transnational repression by Russia}}

[[File:02022 1199 Refugees from Ukraine in Kraków.jpg|thumb|Ukrainian refugees in [[Kraków]] protesting against the war, 6 March 2022]]

The war has caused the largest refugee and [[humanitarian crisis]] in Europe since World War II.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Beaumont |first=Peter |date=6 March 2022 |title=Ukraine has fastest-growing refugee crisis since second world war, says UN |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/06/ukraine-fastest-growing-refugee-crisis-since-second-world-war |access-date=8 March 2022 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> In the first week of the invasion, the UN reported over a million refugees had fled Ukraine; this reached over eight million by February 2023.<ref name="UNHCR-Ukraine">{{#invoke:cite|web|title=Situation Ukraine Refugee Situation |url=https://data2.unhcr.org/en/situations/ukraine |access-date=23 July 2022 |website=[[United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees]]}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Wintour |first=Patrick |date=3 July 2022 |title=Liz Truss mulls seizure of Russian assets in UK to give to Ukraine |work=the Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jul/03/liz-truss-mulls-seizure-of-russian-assets-in-uk-to-give-to-ukraine |access-date=4 July 2022}}</ref> In May 2022, following an influx of military equipment into Ukraine, a significant number of refugees sought to return to regions relatively isolated from the front in southeastern Ukraine.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Bior |first1=Ayen |last2=Shapiro |first2=Ari |last3=Ozug |first3=Matt |date=20 May 2022 |title=Millions rushed to leave Ukraine. Now the queue to return home stretches for miles |publisher=[[NPR]] |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/05/20/1099876370/ukraine-russia-poland-border-return |url-status=live |access-date=28 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220520092843/https://www.npr.org/2022/05/20/1099876370/ukraine-russia-poland-border-return |archive-date=20 May 2022}}</ref> By 3 May, another 8 million people were displaced inside Ukraine.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|title=Ukraine |url=https://www.internal-displacement.org/countries/ukraine |access-date=15 May 2022 |website=IDMC}}</ref>

Most refugees were women, children, elderly, or disabled.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=26 February 2022 |title=Refugees flee Ukraine for the EU, men told to stay and fight |work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]] |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-02-26/thousands-flee-ukraine-into-eu-men-told-to-stay-and-fight/100863936 |access-date=3 March 2022}}
* {{#invoke:cite|news|last=Michaels |first=Samantha |date=7 March 2022 |title=More Than 1.5 Million Refugees Have Fled Ukraine |work=[[Mother Jones (magazine)|Mother Jones]] |url=https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2022/03/refugees-fleeing-ukraine-russian-invasion/ |access-date=10 March 2022}}</ref> Most male Ukrainian nationals aged 18 to 60 were denied exit from Ukraine as part of [[Conscription in Ukraine|mandatory conscription]],<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|first=Charli |last=Carpenter |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/07/15/ukraine-war-conscription-martial-law-men-gender-human-rights/ |date=15 July 2022 |title=Civilian Men Are Trapped in Ukraine: Human rights and humanitarian NGOs should pay attention to Kyiv's sex-selective martial law |work=Foreign Policy |access-date=17 September 2023}}
* {{#invoke:cite|news|date=8 March 2022 |title=Why banning men from leaving Ukraine violates their human rights |work=[[The Conversation (website)|The Conversation]] |url=https://theconversation.com/why-banning-men-from-leaving-ukraine-violates-their-human-rights-178411}}</ref> unless they were responsible for the financial support of three or more children, were single fathers, or were the parent/guardian of children with disabilities.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Tondo |first=Lorenzo |date=9 March 2022 |title=Ukraine urged to take 'humane' approach as men try to flee war |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2022/mar/09/ukraine-urged-to-take-humane-approach-as-men-try-to-flee-war |access-date=9 March 2022}}</ref> Many Ukrainian men, including teenagers, opted to remain in Ukraine voluntarily to join the resistance.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqP5Yx57aeo |title=Men, some in their teens, join Ukraine's resistance fighters |date=5 March 2022 |access-date=8 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306020105/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqP5Yx57aeo |archive-date=6 March 2022 |url-status=live |via=YouTube |work=[[DW News]]}}
* {{#invoke:cite|web|date=11 August 2022 |title=Generation UA: Young Ukrainians are driving the resistance to Russia's war |url=https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainealert/generation-ua-young-ukrainians-are-driving-the-resistance-to-russias-war/ |access-date=14 February 2023 |website=Atlantic Council}}</ref>

According to the UN High Commission for Refugees as of May 2022, there were 3,315,711 refugees in Poland, 901,696 in Romania, 594,664 in Hungary, 461,742 in Moldova, 415,402 in Slovakia, and 27,308 in Belarus, while Russia reported it had received over 800,104 refugees.<ref name="UNHCR-Ukraine"/> By July 2022, over {{formatnum:390000}} Ukrainian refugees had arrived in the Czech Republic.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last1=Klimešová |first1=Magdaléna |last2=Šatava |first2=Jiří |last3=Ondruška |first3=Michal |title=The situation of refugees from Ukraine |url=https://migrant-integration.ec.europa.eu/library-document/situation-refugees-ukraine_en |publisher=[[Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (Czech Republic)]] |date=13 July 2022 |access-date=28 February 2024}}</ref> Turkey registered more than 58,000 Ukrainian refugees as of March 2022.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=22 March 2022 |title=İçişleri Bakanı Soylu: 58 bin Ukraynalı savaş sonrası Türkiye'ye geldi |language=tr |trans-title=Interior Minister Soylu: 58 thousand Ukrainians came to Turkey after the war |work=[[BBC]] |url=https://www.bbc.com/turkce/haberler-dunya-60836830 |access-date=24 March 2022}}</ref> The EU invoked the [[Temporary Protection Directive]] for the first time, granting Ukrainian refugees the right to live and work in the EU for up to three years.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|date=30 March 2022 |title=How many refugees have fled Ukraine and where are they going? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-60555472 |access-date=15 April 2022 |website=[[BBC News]]}}</ref> Britain has accepted 146,379 refugees, as well as extending the ability to remain in the UK for three years.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|title=Statistics on Ukrainians in the UK |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/immigration-statistics-year-ending-june-2022/statistics-on-ukrainians-in-the-uk |access-date=21 December 2022 |website=gov.uk}}</ref> Flight from war affected especially the southern and eastern regions and especially educated women of childbearing age and their children. With an estimate of more than 20% of refugees not returning, study author Maryna Tverdostup concluded that long-term shrinking will significantly impair reconstruction.<ref name="kna23">{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Knapp |first=Andreas |title=Ukraine: Population loss endangers reconstruction |url=https://wiiw.ac.at/ukraine-population-loss-endangers-reconstruction-n-603.html |website=WIIW |access-date=19 July 2023 |date=13 July 2023}}</ref>

According to the [[Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe|OSCE]], Russia has engaged in "massive deportation" of over 1.3 million Ukrainian civilians, potentially constituting crimes against humanity.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Herb |first1=Jeremy |last2=Kaufman |first2=Ellie |last3=Atwood |first3=Kylie |date=14 July 2022 |title=Experts document alleged crimes against humanity committed by Russian forces in Ukraine |work=[[CNN]] |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/14/politics/osce-report-russia-war-crimes/index.html |access-date=19 October 2022}}
* {{#invoke:cite|news|last=Subramaniam |first=Tara |title=Russia's war in Ukraine |work=[[CNN]] |date=19 October 2022 |url=https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/russia-ukraine-war-news-10-19-22/index.html |access-date=19 October 2022}}</ref> The OSCE and Ukraine have accused Russia of [[Forced displacement|forcibly moving]] civilians to filtration camps in Russian-held territory and then into Russia. Ukrainian sources have compared this policy to [[Population transfer in the Soviet Union|Soviet-era population transfers]] and Russian actions in the [[Chechen War of Independence]].<ref name="Mackintosh-2022-04-08">{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Mackintosh |first1=Eliza |last2=Ochman |first2=Oleksandra |last3=Mezzofiore |first3=Gianluca |last4=Polglase |first4=Katie |last5=Rebane |first5=Teele |last6=Graham-Yooll |first6=Anastasia |date=8 April 2022 |title=Russia or die: After weeks under Putin's bombs, these Ukrainians were given only one way out |work=[[CNN]] |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/04/07/europe/ukraine-mariupol-russia-deportation-cmd-intl/index.html |access-date=9 April 2022}}
* {{#invoke:cite|news|last=Peter |first=Laurence |date=27 March 2022 |title=Russia transfers thousands of Mariupol civilians to its territory |work=[[BBC News]] |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60894142 |access-date=1 April 2022}}</ref> For instance, as of April 2022, Russia claimed to have evacuated about 121,000 Mariupol residents to Russia.<ref name="Mackintosh-2022-04-08"/><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=19 October 2022 |title=Ukraine war: Russians start leaving Ukraine's Kherson city |work=[[BBC News]] |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-63311744 |access-date=19 October 2022}}</ref> [[RIA Novosti]] and Ukrainian officials said that thousands were dispatched to centres in cities in Russia and Russian-occupied Ukraine,<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Butchenko |first=Maksym |date=15 April 2022 |title=V dukhe Stalina. Fil'tratsionnyye lagerya, doprosy i vyvoz v glush' — kak Moskva nasil'no deportiruyet ukraintsev Donbassa |script-title=ru:В духе Сталина. Фильтрационные лагеря, допросы и вывоз в глушь — как Москва насильно депортирует украинцев Донбасса |language=ru |trans-title=In the spirit of Stalin. Filtration camps, interrogations and removal into the wilderness – how Moscow forcibly deports Ukrainians from Donbass |work=NV.ua |url=https://life.nv.ua/socium/deportaciya-ukraincev-v-rossiyu-kak-eto-proishodit-i-kak-vernutsya-v-ukrainu-50233912.html |access-date=20 April 2022}}
* {{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.segodnya.ua/strana/podrobnosti/denisova-okkupanty-derzhat-v-filtracionnyh-lageryah-rf-bolee-20-000-mariupolcev-1615773.html |script-title=ru:Денисова: оккупанты держат в фильтрационных лагерях РФ более 20 000 мариупольцев |title=Denisova: okkupanty derzhat v fil'tratsionnykh lageryakh RF boleye 20 000 mariupol'tsev |language=ru |trans-title=Denisov: occupiers keep more than 20,000 Mariupol residents in filtration camps of the Russian Federation |first=Valentyna |last=Shapoval |work=[[Segodnya (1997)|Segodnya]] |date=18 April 2022 |access-date=20 April 2022}}
* {{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.currenttime.tv/a/razdevali-tatushki-moi-smotreli-artem/31797135.html |script-title=ru:"Раздевали, татушки мои смотрели". Артем уехал из Мариуполя в "ДНР", а потом и из России. Он рассказывает о том, что происходило на границах |title="Razdevali, tatushki moi smotreli". Artem uyekhal iz Mariupolya v "DNR", a potom i iz Rossii. On rasskazyvayet o tom, chto proiskhodilo na granitsakh |language=ru |trans-title="They undressed, they looked at my tattoos." Artem left Mariupol for the "DPR", and then from Russia. He talks about what happened at the borders |first1=Yuliya |last1=Goricheva |first2=Аnnа |last2=Tokhmakhchi |work=[[Current Time TV]] |date=11 April 2022 |access-date=20 April 2022}}
* {{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://news.obozrevatel.com/vojna-v-ukraine/okkupantyi-sozdali-v-rossii-lager-dlya-deportirovannyih-iz-ukrainyi-tam-soderzhat-bolee-400-chelovek.htm |script-title=ru:Оккупанты создали в России лагерь для депортированных из Украины: там содержат более 400 человек |title=Okkupanty sozdali v Rossii lager' dlya deportirovannykh iz Ukrainy: tam soderzhat boleye 400 chelovek |language=ru |trans-title=The occupiers created a camp in Russia for deportees from Ukraine: more than 400 people are kept there |first=Ol'ga |last=Hanyukova |work=[[Obozrevatel]] |date=10 April 2022 |access-date=20 April 2022}}
* {{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://tsn.ua/ru/ukrayina/ne-bylo-odezhdy-edy-i-predmetov-gigieny-v-rossii-obnaruzhili-tri-lagerya-dlya-deportirovannyh-mariupolcev-2039359.html |script-title=ru:"Не имели одежды, еды и предметов гигиены": в России обнаружили три лагеря для депортированных мариупольцев |title="Ne imeli odezhdy, yedy i predmetov gigiyeny": v Rossii obnaruzhili tri lagerya dlya deportirovannykh mariupol'tsev |language=ru |trans-title="They didn't have clothes, food and hygiene items": three camps for deported Mariupol residents were found in Russia |first=Tat'yana |last=Kurpita |work=[[Television Service of News|TSN]] |date=17 April 2022 |access-date=20 April 2022}}
* {{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://news.liga.net/politics/news/rossiya-sozdala-bliz-donetska-filtratsionnyy-lager-dlya-ukraintsev-razvedka |script-title=ru:Россия создала близ Донецка фильтрационный лагерь для украинцев – разведка |title=Rossiya sozdala bliz Donetska fil'tratsionnyy lager' dlya ukraintsev – razvedka |language=ru |trans-title=Russia has created a filtration camp for Ukrainians near Donetsk – intelligence |first=Yevgeniy |last=Pylypenko |work=LIGA.net |date=24 March 2022 |access-date=20 April 2022}}
* {{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://nv.ua/kharkiv/okkupanty-sozdayut-filtracionnye-lagerya-dlya-perepravki-lyudey-v-rf-novosti-harkova-50231325.html |script-title=ru:В Харьковской области оккупанты создают фильтрационные лагеря — Денисова |title=V Khar'kovskoy oblasti okkupanty sozdayut fil'tratsionnyye lagerya — Denisova |language=ru |trans-title=Invaders create filtration camps in Kharkiv region – Denisova |first=Aleksandr |last=Klimov |work=NV.ua |date=5 April 2022 |access-date=20 April 2022}}
* {{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/russia-ukraine-war/article/russia-ukraine-art-school-mariupol-6fprjwq0t |title=Ukraine accuses Russia of killing 56 care home residents in Luhansk |first=Tom |last=Ball |work=[[The Times]] |date=20 March 2022 |access-date=20 April 2022}}
* {{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://sport.ua/news/578396-foto-okkupanty-stroyat-filtratsionnye-lagerya-dlya-ukraintsev |script-title=ru:Фото. Оккупанты строят фильтрационные лагеря для украинцев |title=Foto. Okkupanty stroyat fil'tratsionnyye lagerya dlya ukraintsev |language=ru |trans-title=A Photo. Occupiers build filtration camps for Ukrainians |website=sport.ua |date=28 March 2022 |access-date=20 April 2022}}</ref> from which people were sent to economically depressed regions of Russia.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Kupriyanova |first=Olga |date=24 March 2022 |title=Fil'tratsionnyye lagerya i trudoustroystvo na Sakhaline: ukraintsev iz okkupirovannykh gorodov prinuditel'no otpravlyayut v rossiyu |script-title=ru:Фильтрационные лагеря и трудоустройство на Сахалине: украинцев из оккупированных городов принудительно отправляют в россию |language=ru |trans-title=Filtration camps and employment on Sakhalin: Ukrainians from occupied cities are forcibly sent to Russia |work=[[1+1 (TV channel)|1+1]] |url=https://1plus1.ua/ru/novyny/filtracijni-tabori-ta-pracevlastuvanna-na-sahalini-ukrainciv-z-okupovanih-mist-primusovo-vidpravlaut-do-rosii |access-date=20 April 2022}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|date=21 April 2022 |title=Putin i Shoygu planirovali sozdat' kontslagerya dlya ukraintsev v Zapadnoy Sibiri, – Danilov |script-title=ru:Путин и Шойгу планировали создать концлагеря для украинцев в Западной Сибири, – Данилов |trans-title=Putin and Shoigu planned to create concentration camps for Ukrainians in Western Siberia – Danilov |url=https://censor.net/ru/news/3335903/putin_i_shoyigu_planirovali_sozdat_kontslagerya_dlya_ukraintsev_v_zapadnoyi_sibiri_danilov |access-date=25 April 2022 |website=Цензор.НЕТ |language=ru}}
^{{#invoke:cite|web|date=22 April 2022 |title=Putin i Shoygu planirovali sozdat' kontslagerya dlya ukraintsev v Zapadnoy Sibiri – Danilov |script-title=ru:Путин и Шойгу планировали создать концлагеря для украинцев в Западной Сибири – Данилов |trans-title=Putin and Shoigu planned to create concentration camps for Ukrainians in Western Siberia – Danilov |url=https://news.liga.net/politics/news/putin-i-shoygu-planirovali-sozdat-kontslagerya-dlya-ukraintsev-v-zapadnoy-sibiri-danilov |access-date=25 April 2022 |website=LIGA |language=ru}}</ref>{{Efn|Most likely, new cities meant new industrial cities in Siberia, the construction plans of which were announced by Shoigu in the fall of 2021.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|date=6 September 2021 |title=Shoygu nazval mesta dlya stroitel'stva novykh gorodov v Sibiri |script-title=ru:Шойгу назвал места для строительства новых городов в Сибири |trans-title=Shoigu named places for the construction of new cities in Siberia |url=https://www.rbc.ru/politics/06/09/2021/6131fa0f9a7947199b6163d1 |website=РБК |language=ru}}</ref>}}

=== Environmental impact ===
{{Main|Environmental impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine}}

[[File:Attack on the center of Severodonetsk by Russian forces.jpg|thumb|An explosion due to the shelling of a tank of nitric acid during the [[Battle of Sievierodonetsk (2022)|battle of Sievierodonetsk]], 31&nbsp;May 2022]]
Based on a preliminary assessment, the war has inflicted $51 billion in environmental damage in Ukraine; according to a report by the [[Yale School of the Environment]], {{convert|687,000|ST|t e9lb|order=out|abbr=off}} of petrochemicals have burnt as a result of shelling, while nearly {{convert|1,600|ST|t e6lb|order=out|abbr=off}} of pollutants have leaked into bodies of water. Hazardous chemicals have contaminated around {{convert|70|acres|ha|order=flip}} of soil and likely made agricultural activities temporarily impossible.<ref name="enviroyale">[https://e360.yale.edu/digest/russia-ukraine-war-environmental-cost-one-year "One Year In, Russia's War on Ukraine Has Inflicted $51 Billion in Environmental Damage"] e360.yale.edu. 22 February 2023. Accessed 25 September 2023.</ref> Around 30% of Ukraine's land is littered with explosives, and more than {{convert|2.4|e6ha|abbr=off}} of forest have been damaged.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|title='Environmental Destruction Is a Form of Warfare': Thunberg Joins Ecocide Investigation in Ukraine |url=https://www.commondreams.org/news/thunberg-joins-group-to-investigate-ecocide-in-ukraine |access-date=3 July 2023 |website=commondreams.org}}</ref>

According to peace organisation PAX, Russia's "deliberate targeting of industrial and energy infrastructure" has caused "severe" pollution, and explosive weapons have left "millions of tonnes" of contaminated debris in cities and towns.<ref name="pax">[https://paxforpeace.nl/news/overview/ten-step-plan-to-address-environmental-impact-of-war-in-ukraine "Ten-Step plan to address environmental impact of war in Ukraine"] PAX for Peace. 24 February 2023. Accessed 25 September 2023.</ref> In June 2023, the [[Kakhovka Dam]], under Russian occupation, [[Destruction of the Kakhovka Dam|was damaged]], causing flooding and triggering warnings of an "ecological disaster".<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Finlay |first1=Madeleine |last2=Cox |first2=Joel |last3=Bury |first3=Ellie |date=13 June 2023 |title=Kakhovka dam destruction: why is Ukraine calling it 'ecocide'? – podcast |url=https://www.theguardian.com/science/audio/2023/jun/13/kakhovka-dam-destruction-why-is-ukraine-calling-it-ecocide-podcast |access-date=9 October 2023 |work=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077}}
* {{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Talmazan |first1=Yuliya |last2=Arkin |first2=Daniel |last3=Kaufman |first3=Sarah |last4=Mayer |first4=Daryna |name-list-style=and |date=6 June 2023 |title=Ukraine accuses Russia of blowing up major dam |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/kakhovka-dam-ukraine-russia-destroyed-rcna87852 |access-date=25 September 2023 |work=[[NBC News]]}}
* {{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Hallam |first1=Jonny |last2=Pennington |first2=Josh |last3=Regan |first3=Helen |last4=Voitovych |first4=Olga |last5=Nasser |first5=Irene |last6=Shukla |first6=Sebastian |last7=Kottasová |first7=Ivana |last8=Mezzofiore |first8=Gianluca |last9=Shelley |first9=Jo |name-list-style=and |date=6 June 2023 |title=Collapse of critical Ukrainian dam sparks region-wide evacuations. Here's what we know |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/06/europe/ukraine-nova-kakhovka-dam-breach-intl-hnk/index.html |access-date=9 October 2023 |work=[[CNN]]}}</ref>

The Ukrainian government, international observers, and journalists have described the damage as [[ecocide]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|date=2 June 2023 |title=The Environmental Cost of the War in Ukraine |url=https://www.irreview.org/articles/the-environmental-cost-of-the-war-in-ukraine |access-date=7 June 2023 |website=International Relations Review}}
* {{#invoke:cite|news|last=Graham-Harrison |first=Emma |date=27 August 2022 |title=Toxins in soil, blasted forests – Ukraine counts cost of Putin's 'ecocide' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/aug/27/destroyed-nature-ukrainians-race-to-gather-evidence-of-putins-ecocide |access-date=25 September 2023 |work=The Observer |issn=0029-7712}}
* {{#invoke:cite|news|date=19 March 2022 |title=Ukrainians hope to rebuild greener country after Russia's war ravages environment |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/ukraine-green-ecocide-russia-war-b2038825.html |access-date=7 June 2023 |work=[[The Independent]]}}
* {{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Gutman-Argemí |first1=Clara |last2=Ahn |first2=Ashley |last3=Benson |first3=Brawley |name-list-style=and |date=9 June 2023 |title=Ukrainians Are Accusing Russia of Ecocide. What Does That Mean? |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/06/09/ecocide-ukraine-russia-dam-war-crimes/ |access-date=9 October 2023 |work=[[Foreign Policy]]}}
* {{#invoke:cite|news|date=7 June 2023 |title=Ukraine launches "ecocide" and war crimes probe into Nova Kakhovka dam incident |url=https://edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/russia-ukraine-war-news-06-07-23#h_36848cd5abb76e0ddd522cd78f4f5f43 |access-date=9 October 2023 |work=[[CNN]]}}</ref> The Ukrainian government is investigating more crimes against the environment and ecocide (a crime in Ukraine).<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Yermak |first1=Andriy |author1-link=Andriy Yermak |last2=Wallström |first2=Margot |author2-link=Margot Wallström |date=16 August 2023 |title=Russia is committing grave acts of ecocide in Ukraine – and the results will harm the whole world |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/aug/16/russia-ecocide-ukraine-world-war-crimes |access-date=9 October 2023 |issn=0261-3077}}
* {{#invoke:cite|news|last=Graham-Harrison |first=Emma |date=27 August 2022 |title=Toxins in soil, blasted forests – Ukraine counts cost of Putin's 'ecocide' |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/aug/27/destroyed-nature-ukrainians-race-to-gather-evidence-of-putins-ecocide |access-date=9 October 2023 |issn=0029-7712}}
* {{#invoke:cite|news|last=Santora |first=Marc |date=17 August 2023 |title=As Dead Dolphins Wash Ashore, Ukraine Builds a Case of Ecocide Against Russia |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/17/world/europe/russia-war-dolphin-deaths-ukraine.html |access-date=9 October 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Zelenskyy has met with prominent European figures ([[Heidi Hautala]], [[Margot Wallstrom]], [[Mary Robinson]], and [[Greta Thunberg]]) to discuss the environmental damage and how to prosecute it.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Gigova |first=Radina |date=2 July 2023 |title=Russia is accused of 'ecocide' in Ukraine. But what does that mean? |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/02/world/ukraine-ecocide-dam-collapse-crime-climate-intl-cmd/index.html |access-date=25 September 2023 |work=[[CNN]]}}
* {{#invoke:cite|news|agency=Press Association |date=29 June 2023 |title=Zelenskyy meets Greta Thunberg, Mary Robinson to address war's effect on Ukraine's ecology |url=https://www.thejournal.ie/zelenskyy-greta-thunberg-6106147-Jun2023/ |access-date=25 September 2023 |work=[[TheJournal.ie]]}}</ref>

According to an investigation by NGL Media published in April 2024, Russia has completely destroyed over {{convert|60,000|ha|abbr=off}} of Ukrainian forests. The investigation stated that long-term ecological consequences may include lowering of the groundwater level, reduction of biodiversity, worsening of air quality, fire outbreaks, and rivers and ponds drying up.<ref name="Fornusek 2024 r049">{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Fornusek |first=Martin |title=Media: Russia destroys over 60,000 hectares of Ukrainian forests |website=Yahoo News |date=8 April 2024 |url=https://news.yahoo.com/media-russia-destroys-over-60-101907829.html |access-date=12 April 2024}}</ref>

The war in Ukraine has severely disrupted global [[climate policy]] and increased CO<sub>2</sub> emissions.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last1=Singha |first1=Sutandra |title=Ripples of War: The Russia-Ukraine Conflict's Impact on Global Carbon Dioxide Emissions and Climate Change |url=https://chintan.indiafoundation.in/articles/ripples-of-war-the-russia-ukraine-conflicts-impact-on-global-carbon-dioxide-emissions-and-climate-change/ |website=Chintan India foundation blog |date=17 December 2024 |publisher=India Foundation |access-date=13 January 2025}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|title=Russia owes 'whole world' for environment damage: Ukraine |url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/defence/news/russia-owes-whole-world-for-environment-damage-ukraine/ |website=Euroactive |date=15 November 2022 |access-date=21 January 2025}}</ref> The effects have been strongly felt in Asia,<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=de Guzman |first=Chad |date=19 May 2023 |title=Russia's War in Ukraine Is Worsening Asia's Heat Wave |url=https://time.com/6281045/asia-heat-wave-russia-ukraine-war/ |access-date=21 May 2023 |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Tan |first=Huileng |date=22 May 2023 |title=Asia is in the middle of a record heatwave, and Russia is reaping the financial rewards of it |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/putin-russian-energy-oil-gas-coal-india-china-korea-heatwave-2023-5 |access-date=23 May 2023 |website=[[Business Insider]]}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Chin |first=Yongchang |date=21 May 2023 |title=Crippling Heat Deepens Asia's Reliance on Russian Energy |work=Bloomberg News |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-05-21/crippling-heat-waves-deepen-asia-s-reliance-on-russian-energy |access-date=23 May 2023}}</ref> Europe,<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Climate bomb' warning over $200bn wave of new gas projects |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/dec/05/climate-bomb-warning-over-200bn-wave-of-new-gas-projects |work=The Guardian |access-date=25 December 2024 |agency=The Guardian |date=5 December 2024}}</ref> and the US.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Lakhani |first1=Nina |last2=Milman |first2=Oliver |title=US fracking boom could tip world to edge of climate disaster |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/may/11/us-fracking-climate-fossil-fuel-gases |access-date=1 December 2023 |agency=The Guardian |date=11 May 2022}}</ref>
{{see also|2026 Chernobyl exclusion zone wildfires}}

==== Nuclear risk ====
{{main|Nuclear risk during the Russo-Ukrainian war (2022–present)}}

[[File:Rafael Mariano Grossi visits Zaporizhzhya NPP (02011296) (52340771440).jpg|thumb|IAEA inspectors recording damage at Zaporizhzhia NPP]]

The invasion had an [[Impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on nuclear power plants|impact on Ukraine's nuclear power plants]]. Russian forces [[Capture of Chernobyl|captured Chernobyl]] on the first day, leading to a huge spike in radiation levels.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=25 February 2022 |title=Chernobyl: Radiation spike at nuclear plant seized by Russian forces |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-60528828 |last=Gill |first=Victoria |access-date=25 February 2022 |publisher=[[BBC News]] |archive-date=25 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225165134/https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-60528828 |url-status=live}}</ref> Russia also captured the [[Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant]], the largest in Europe, which has since [[Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant crisis|been at risk]] and damaged by shelling. In August 2022, Zelenskyy described the situation as "Russian [[nuclear terrorism|nuclear terror]]."<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=7 August 2022 |title='Russian nuclear terror': Ukraine atomic plant attacked again |work=aljazeera.com |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/8/7/fears-of-disaster-after-ukrainian-nuclear-plant-struck-again |access-date=10 September 2022}}</ref> The [[International Atomic Energy Agency]] said it was the first time a military conflict occurred amid nuclear plants, and it called for a demilitarised zone around Zaporizhzhia NPP.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|title=U.N. nuclear watchdog calls for a 'security protection zone' around the Russian-held Zaporizhzhia power plant |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/un-nuclear-watchdog-calls-security-protection-zone-russian-held-zapori-rcna46446 |access-date=7 September 2022 |website=NBC News |date=7 September 2022}}</ref>

=== Economic impact ===
{{Main|Economic impact of the Russo-Ukrainian war (2022–present)}}
[[File:2020- Price of oil.svg|thumb|Viewed in context, the price of oil has been affected internationally at the times of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], the 2022 Russo-Ukrainian war and the [[2026 Iran war]].<ref name=EIA_OilPriceData>{{cite web |title=Petroleum & Other Liquids / Data ▼ / Download series history |url=https://www.eia.gov/dnav/pet/pet_pri_spt_s1_w.htm |publisher=U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260605153644/https://www.eia.gov/dnav/pet/pet_pri_spt_s1_w.htm |archive-date=5 June 2026 |url-status=live}}</ref>]]

==== Ukraine ====
[[Ministry of Economy (Ukraine)|Ukrainian Minister of Economic Development and Trade]] [[Yulia Svyrydenko]] announced that for 2022 Ukraine had a 30% loss in its [[gross domestic product]] (GDP).<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Horowitz |first=Julia |date=5 January 2022 |title=Ukraine's economy shrank by more than 30% in 2022 |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/05/business/ukraine-economy/index.html |access-date=11 May 2024 |work=CNN |type=Digital}}</ref> The [[International Monetary Fund]] predicted that Ukraine's GDP would decrease between 10% and 35%;<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Shalal |first1=Andrea |last2=Zinets |first2=Natalia |last3=Lawder |first3=David |date=14 March 2022 |title=Ukraine economy to contract sharply in 2022 due to war, IMF report says |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-economy-could-shrink-by-third-due-russia-invasion-imf-report-says-2022-03-14/ |work=[[Reuters]]}}</ref> the [[European Bank for Reconstruction and Development]] predicted a 20% decrease.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Porter |first=Richard |date=31 March 2022 |title=EBRD sees war on Ukraine causing major growth slowdown |url=https://www.ebrd.com/news/2022/ebrd-sees-war-on-ukraine-causing-major-growth-slowdown.html |website=European Bank for Reconstruction and Development}}</ref> The Ukrainian statistics service said that the GDP of Ukraine in 2023 grew by 5.3%.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=28 March 2024 |title=Ukraine's economy grew 5.3% in 2023, statistics service says |url=https://www.reuters.com/markets/europe/ukraines-economy-grew-53-2023-statistics-service-says-2024-03-28/ |access-date=2 June 2024 |work=Reuters |type=Digital}}</ref> By 2026 the total cost of rebuilding Ukraine was estimated by the World Bank at US$588 billion.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-02-23 |title=Ukraine: $588 billion recovery cost over the next 10 years {{!}} UN News |url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2026/02/1167016 |access-date=2026-02-25 |website=news.un.org |language=en}}</ref><ref name="o831">{{cite web |last=Shalal |first=Andrea |date=2026-02-23 |title=Ukraine reconstruction estimate jumps 12% to $588 billion, World Bank says |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/ukraine-reconstruction-estimate-jumps-12-588-billion-world-bank-says-2026-02-23/ |access-date=2026-02-25 |website=Reuters}}</ref>

Ukraine began issuing [[war bond]]s on 1 March 2022, and the following day the Ukrainian government announced that they had raised 6.14 billion hryvnias.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Tan |first1=Weizhen |last2=Wang |first2=Christine |date=2 March 2022 |title=Ukraine raises $270 million from sale of war bonds to fund army as Russia's invasion continues |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/03/02/ukraine-raises-270-million-from-sale-of-war-bonds-to-fund-army.html |access-date=10 May 2024 |work=CNBC |type=Digital}}</ref> In May 2022 the European Commission banned grain sales in Bulgaria, Poland, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia, except if they were transiting through those countries; the ban was lifted in September 2023.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=2 April 2024 |title=How much grain is Ukraine exporting and how is it leaving the country? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-61759692 |access-date=11 May 2024 |work=BBC |type=Digital}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|date=16 March 2022 |title=UN: 90 Percent Of Ukrainians Could Slip Into Poverty If War Drags On |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/un-ukraine-90percent-poverty/31755484.html |website=[[RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty]]}}</ref>

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.<ref name="Kirby">{{cite news |last1=Kirby |first1=Jason |title=In taking Ukraine, Putin would gain a strategic commodities powerhouse |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-in-taking-ukraine-putin-would-gain-a-strategic-commodities-powerhouse/ |work=[[The Globe and Mail]] |date=25 February 2022}}</ref><ref name="Brewster">{{cite news |last1=Brewster |first1=Murray |author-link1=Murray Brewster |title=Natural gas, rare earth minerals: What's at stake for Ukraine in the territory Russia is trying to conquer |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/natural-resources-ukraine-war-1.6467039 |work=[[CBC News]] |date=27 May 2022}}</ref> Joint exploitation of Ukrainian mineral resources was subsequently the subject of the [[Ukraine–United States Mineral Resources Agreement]].<ref name="Aikman & da Silva 2025">{{cite news |last1=Aikman |first1=Ian |last2=da Silva |first2=João |title=What we know about US-Ukraine minerals deal |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn527pz54neo |access-date=3 March 2026 |work=BBC News |date=26 February 2025}}</ref>

==== Russia ====
The US government estimated that Russia's economic losses from the war and Western sanctions would be 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.<ref name="DU">{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Brumme |first=Christoph |title=In der Ukraine kämpft Russland um Rohstoffe |url=https://www.n-tv.de/politik/Der-Krieg-gegen-die-Ukraine-ist-fuer-Russland-ein-Kampf-um-Rohstoffe-article25032685.html |access-date=6 December 2024 |website=n-tv.de |language=de }}</ref> Other estimates put the direct cost of the war to Russia at over US$450 billion.<ref name="DU"/><ref name=mt20250114/><ref name=kpost20250115/> The international sanctions led Russia to become heavily economically and technologically dependent on China.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Russia becomes China's 'junior partner'|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/08/12/china-russia-power-imbalance-putin-xi-junior-partner/|access-date=28 April 2023|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|language=en-US|issn=0190-8286|last=Tharoor|first=Ishaan|date=12 August 2022}}</ref><ref name=":152">{{Cite news |date=20 May 2026|title=How China quietly helps Russia in Ukraine|url=https://www.economist.com/china/2026/05/20/how-china-quietly-helps-russia-in-ukraine|url-access=subscription|access-date=2026-05-23|newspaper=[[The Economist]]|issn=0013-0613}}</ref>

The [[Ministry of Economic Development (Russia)|Russian Ministry of Economic Development]] said that for 2022 the GDP contracted by 2.1%<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=21 February 2023 |title=Russian economy shrank 2.1% in 2022, much less than expected |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/2/21/russias-economy-contracted-2-1-in-2022 |access-date=11 May 2024 |work=Al Jazeera}}</ref> and for 2023 Russia's government said the GDP grew by 3.6%.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Garver |first=Rob |date=8 February 2024 |title=Russia's Economy Grew in 2023, Despite War and Sanctions |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/russia-economy-grew-in-2023-despite-war-and-sanctions/7478952.html |access-date=2 June 2024 |work=Voice of America |type=Digital}}</ref> In April 2024, it was reported that Russia was planning tax increases to help finance the war.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Sonne |first=Paul |title=Putin's War Will Soon Reach Russians' Tax Bills |website=New York Times |date=27 April 2024 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/27/world/europe/russia-taxes-ukraine-war-putin.html |access-date=30 April 2024}}</ref> 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 [[Military budget of Russia|defence budget]]—direct financial expenditure for the war was estimated at US$250 billion through June 2024 for military spending through normal channels,<ref name="DU"/> 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.<ref name=mt20250114>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Russia's Hidden War Debt Creates a Looming Credit Crisis |url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/01/14/russias-hidden-war-debt-creates-a-looming-credit-crisis-a87606 |last=Aris |first=Ben |work=[[Moscow Times]] |date=14 January 2025 |access-date=24 January 2025}}</ref><ref name=kpost20250115>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Russia's Preferential Defense Loans a Ticking Bomb for Moscow's Economy |url=https://www.kyivpost.com/post/45424 |last=Hrazhdan |first=Olena |work=[[Kyiv Post]] |date=15 January 2025 |access-date=24 January 2025}}</ref>

A report in April 2025 by the Stockholm Institute of Transition Economics noted that official Russian statistics are unreliable.<ref name=SITEreport1>{{cite report |date= April 2025|title=Financing the Russian War Economy|url= https://www.hhs.se/contentassets/79a322a8739a401ea88225909d2e4856/site-russian-economy-spring-2025-update.pdf|publisher= Stockholm Institute of Transition Economics (SITE)|access-date=18 July 2025}}</ref> The report argued that Russian fiscal stimulus has kept the economy afloat so far but that it is on an unsustainable trajectory.<ref name=SITEreport1/><ref name=sitepresent>{{#invoke:cite|web|author=<!-- not stated --> |date= 16 May 2025|title= SITE's Torbjörn Becker briefs EU on Russia's economy and effects of sanctions|url= https://www.hhs.se/en/about-us/news/site-publications/2025/eu-sanctions-on-russia/|website= [[Stockholm School of Economics]]|publisher= Stockholm Institute of Transition Economics (SITE)|access-date=18 July 2025}}</ref> In August 2025, [[VEB.RF|VEB]], one of the largest Russian state banks, assessed that the Russian economy had started slipping into recession.<ref name="e976">{{#invoke:cite|web| title=Китай принял первый груз санкционного российского СПГ перед визитом Путина к Си Цзиньпину | website=Русская служба The Moscow Times | date=30 August 2025 | url=https://www.moscowtimes.ru/2025/08/29/kitai-prinyal-pervii-gruz-sanktsionnogo-rossiiskogo-spg-pered-vizitom-putina-k-si-tszinpinu-a173066 | language=ru | access-date=30 August 2025}}</ref> In April 2026, Putin said Russia's GDP shrank by a combined 1.8% in January and February; according to ''[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]]'', Russian officials warned Putin earlier in the year about a possible financial crisis due to "spiraling" inflation.<ref name="t539">{{cite web | last=Ma | first=Jason | title=Putin finally admits Russia's economy is in trouble and grasps for answers, after warnings about a financial crisis have been piling up | website=Fortune | date=18 April 2026 | url=https://fortune.com/2026/04/18/russia-economy-contraction-vladimir-putin-financial-crisis-warnings-iran-ukraine-war-drones-oil-exports/ | access-date=22 April 2026}}</ref>

A price cap was placed on Russian oil by the [[G7]] in December 2022.<ref name="EI">{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Meredith |first=Sam |date=3 February 2023 |title=Europe is set to ramp up its oil war against Russia — and markets are bracing for more disruption |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/02/03/europe-is-set-to-ramp-up-its-oil-war-against-russia-with-products-ban.html |access-date=10 May 2024 |work=CNBC |type=Digital}}</ref> The US banned all imports of Russian oil in March 2022.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Bussewitz |first1=Cathy |last2=Daly |first2=Matthew |date=8 March 2022 |title=EXPLAINER: What does a US ban on Russian oil accomplish? |url=https://apnews.com/article/us-russian-oil-ban-what-does-it-mean-731f748450c38fc34353d96aea6897fe |access-date=11 May 2024 |work=Associated Press |type=Digital}}</ref> The EU placed an embargo on oil products from Russia in February 2023.<ref name="EI"/> Other countries that embargoed Russian oil included [[Five Eyes]] partners Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Goldman |first=David |date=24 March 2022 |title=Gas rationing, food vouchers and hunger: Economic pain from Russia's war is getting real |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/business/article/gas-rationing-food-vouchers-and-hunger-economic-pain-from-russias-war-is-getting-real/ |access-date=2 June 2024 |work=[[CTV News Channel (Canadian TV channel)|CTV News]] |agency=CNN}}</ref>

== Peace efforts ==
{{Main|Peace negotiations in the Russo-Ukrainian war (2022–present)}}

[[File:CUMBRE POR LA PAZ EN UCRANIA. ZÚRICH-SUIZA, 16 DE JUNIO DE 2024 - 1.jpg|thumb|Attendees at the [[June 2024 Ukraine peace summit]]]]
Peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine took place on {{nobr|28 February}}, {{nobr|3 March}}, and {{nobr|7 March 2022}} in Belarus. Further talks were held on 10 March and 14 March in Turkey.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Hopkins |first=Valerie |date=28 February 2022 |title=Initial talks between Russia and Ukraine yield no resolution. |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/28/world/europe/ukraine-russia-talks-belarus.html |url-status=live |access-date=16 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314231723/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/28/world/europe/ukraine-russia-talks-belarus.html |archive-date=14 March 2022 |issn=0362-4331}}
* {{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Reevell |first1=Patrick |last2=Hutchinson |first2=Bill |date=2 March 2022 |title=2nd round of talks between Russia and Ukraine end with no cease-fire |work=ABC News |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/2nd-round-talks-russia-ukraine-end-cease-fire/story?id=83226054 |url-status=live |access-date=15 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314224621/https://abcnews.go.com/International/2nd-round-talks-russia-ukraine-end-cease-fire/story?id=83226054 |archive-date=14 March 2022}}
* {{#invoke:cite|news|date=7 March 2022 |title=Ukraine and Russia hold third round of talks |publisher=[[Deutsche Welle]] |agency=[[Reuters]], [[Agence France-Presse]], [[Deutsche Presse-Agentur]] |url=https://www.dw.com/en/ukraine-and-russia-hold-third-round-of-talks/a-61039008 |url-status=live |access-date=15 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314110854/https://www.dw.com/en/ukraine-and-russia-hold-third-round-of-talks/a-61039008 |archive-date=14 March 2022}}
* {{#invoke:cite|news|last=Roshchina |first=Olena |date=28 February 2022 |script-title=uk:Переговори делегацій України та Росії почалися |language=uk |trans-title=Negotiations between the delegations of Ukraine and Russia began |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2022/02/28/7326809/ |url-status=live |access-date=7 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314012254/https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2022/02/28/7326809/ |archive-date=14 March 2022 |script-work=uk:Українська правда |trans-work=[[Ukrainska Pravda]] |script-quote=uk:Деталі: Переговори відбуваються на Гомельщині на березі річки Прип'ять. Із міркувань безпеки точне місце організатори переговорів не називають. |trans-quote=Details: Negotiations are taking place in the Gomel region on the banks of the Pripyat River. For security reasons, the organisers of the talks did not name the exact location.}}</ref> [[Peace negotiations in the Russo-Ukrainian war (2022–present)#Istanbul peace talks|Peace negotiations in Istanbul]], Turkey, began on 29 March 2022 and ended without agreement.

[[File:Map of Ukraine, with Russian-occupied regions highlighted.svg|thumb|Putin has demanded international recognition of the [[Russian annexation of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts|annexed provinces]] (pictured) as Russian, despite only controlling parts of them.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=5 January 2023 |title=Putin Signals Readiness for Peace Talks if Kyiv Cedes Occupied Regions |work=The Moscow Times |url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/01/05/putin-signals-readiness-for-peace-talks-if-kyiv-cedes-occupied-regions-a79877}}</ref>]]
Since 2024, Ukraine's main peace terms are that Russia withdraw its troops; that Ukrainian prisoners be released; Russian leaders be prosecuted for [[War crimes in the Russian invasion of Ukraine|war crimes]]; and Ukraine be given security guarantees to prevent further aggression. Russia's main terms are that Russia must keep [[Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine|all the land it occupies]], that it be given all of the [[Russian annexation of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts|provinces that it claims]] but does not fully control, that Ukraine end plans to join NATO, and that sanctions against Russia be lifted.<ref name="Putin terms">{{#invoke:cite|news|first=Henri |last=Astier|title=Putin lays out his terms for ceasefire in Ukraine |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c033eyyr20do |access-date=14 June 2024 |work=[[BBC News]] |date=14 June 2024}}<br/>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Vladimir Putin issues fresh demands to Ukraine to end war |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jun/14/vladimir-putin-issues-fresh-demands-to-ukraine-to-end-war |access-date=14 June 2024 |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=14 June 2024}}<br/>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Putin states Ukrainian Armed Forces must withdraw from 4 Ukrainian oblasts to begin peace talks |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2024/06/14/7460781/ |access-date=14 June 2024 |work=[[Ukrainska Pravda]] |date=14 June 2024}}</ref> According to Western analysts, allowing Russia to keep the land it seized would "[[right of conquest|reward the aggressor]] while punishing the victim" and set a dangerous precedent.<ref name="Chatham end">{{#invoke:cite|web|title=How to end Russia's war on Ukraine |url=https://www.chathamhouse.org/2023/06/how-end-russias-war-ukraine |publisher=[[Chatham House]] |date=3 October 2023}}</ref> They predicted this would encourage Russia "to continue its [[Russian neo-imperialism|imperialist]] campaign of expansionism," and embolden other expansionist regimes.<ref name="Chatham end"/><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|title=Global Perspectives on Ending the Russia-Ukraine War |url=https://www.cfr.org/councilofcouncils/global-memos/global-perspectives-ending-russia-ukraine-war |website=Council of Councils |publisher=[[Council on Foreign Relations]] |date=21 February 2024}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last1=Karatnycky |first1=Adrian |title=What a Russian Victory Would Mean for Ukraine |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/12/19/ukraine-russia-war-stalemate-victory-congress-military-aid/ |website=[[Foreign Policy]] |date=19 December 2023}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last1=Danylyuk |first1=Oleksandr |title=What Ukraine's Defeat Would Mean for the US, Europe and the World |url=https://rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/commentary/what-ukraines-defeat-would-mean-us-europe-and-world |website=[[Royal United Services Institute]] |date=24 January 2024}}</ref>

After [[Donald Trump]] became US president in 2025, there was a major shift in US policy. The Trump administration began [[February 2025 United States–Russia meeting in Saudi Arabia|negotiations with Russia]] and separately with Ukraine. In February 2025, the US twice sided with Russia in UN resolutions, opposing a European-drafted resolution condemning Russia's actions and supporting the territorial integrity of Ukraine and then drafting and voting for a UN Security Council resolution calling for the end of the conflict but containing no criticism of Russia.<ref name="u697">{{#invoke:cite|web| last=Landale | first=James | title=US sides with Russia in UN resolutions on invasion of Ukraine | website=BBC Home | date=25 February 2025 | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c7435pnle0go | access-date=9 July 2025}}</ref>

Since March 2025, Ukraine has accepted a proposal for a 30-day unconditional [[ceasefire]], which is supported by the US and European allies.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ravid |first=Barak |date=11 March 2025 |title=Ukraine backs U.S. proposal for 30-day ceasefire with Russia |url=https://www.axios.com/2025/03/11/ukraine-russia-ceasefire-30-days |access-date=11 March 2025 |website=[[Axios (website)|Axios]] |language=en}}</ref> Russia has rejected calls for a ceasefire.<ref>{{cite news |title=Putin questions Ukraine ceasefire plan and sets out string of conditions |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/13/russia-wary-of-proposed-ukraine-ceasefire-plan-as-us-talks-begin |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=13 March 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Russian drones attack Ukraine after Kremlin rejects 30-day ceasefire proposal |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/russian-drones-attack-ukraine-after-kremlin-rejects-30-day-ceasefire-proposal |work=[[PBS News]] |date=12 May 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Trump says he did not want 'wasted meeting' after plan for Putin talks shelved |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gjp73gp41o |work=[[BBC News]] |date=21 October 2025}}</ref> In November 2025, Trump adopted a [[U.S. peace plan for Ukraine|28-point peace plan]], interpreted as broadly pro-Russian,<ref name="e610">{{cite web | last=Brennan | first=David | title=Trump-Putin Alaska summit looms large in Kremlin's Ukraine negotiating strategy | website=ABC News | date=16 December 2025 | url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/trump-putin-alaska-summit-looms-large-kremlins-ukraine/story?id=128244821 | access-date=26 December 2025}}</ref><ref name="l915">{{cite web | last=Menon | first=Rajan | title=Trump's 'peace plan' was a pro-Kremlin abomination whose failure is a glimmer of hope for Ukraine | website=The Guardian | date=24 November 2025 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/nov/24/donald-trump-peace-plan-kremlin-ukraine | access-date=26 December 2025}}</ref> and, according to ''[[The Insider (website)|The Insider]]'', at its core a recycled Russian document substantially written by [[Kirill Dmitriev]], a Kremlin operative.<ref name="j465">{{cite web | last1=Grozev | first1=Christo | last2=Weiss | first2=Michael | title=Made in Moscow: The "U.S. peace plan" for Ukraine was substantially formulated months ago by Kremlin operative Kirill Dmitriev | website=The Insider | date=26 November 2025 | url=https://theins.ru/en/politics/287159 | language=ru | access-date=26 December 2025}}</ref> Ukraine, European allies and the US then produced revised versions. These were rejected by the Russians.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Zadorozhnyy |first=Tim |date=11 February 2026 |title=Russia effectively dismisses US-Ukraine peace framework, says it contradicts 'real' American plan |url=https://kyivindependent.com/russia-effectively-dismisses-us-ukraine-peace-framework/ |work=The Kyiv Independent}}</ref>

== International reactions ==<!-- This section is intended as a *summary* of the detailed pages linked as "further" reading. Please add details to *those* detailed pages, and first update summaries of those articles before updating (if needed) the summaries here. -->
{{Main|Reactions to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine}}

{{see also|Protests against the Russo-Ukrainian war (2022–present)}}
[[File:United Nations General Assembly resolution ES-11 L.1 vote.svg|thumb|[[United Nations General Assembly Resolution ES-11/1|UN General Assembly Resolution ES-11/1]] vote on 2 March 2022 condemning the invasion of Ukraine and demanding a complete withdrawal of Russian troops<br/>{{legend|#74C365|In favour (141)}}{{legend|#ab4e52|Against (5)}}{{legend|#FADA5E|Abstained (35)}}{{legend|#89CFF0|Absent (12)}}{{legend|#C0C0C0|Non-member}}]]
The invasion received widespread international condemnation from [[Government and intergovernmental reactions to the Russian invasion of Ukraine|governments and intergovernmental organisations]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Bellinger |first=John B. III |date=28 February 2022 |title=How Russia's Invasion of Ukraine Violates International Law |url=https://www.cfr.org/article/how-russias-invasion-ukraine-violates-international-law |access-date=26 January 2023 |website=Council on Foreign Relations}}</ref> In March 2022 ([[United Nations General Assembly Resolution ES-11/1|ES-11/1]]) and February 2023 ([[United Nations General Assembly Resolution ES-11/6|ES-11/6]]), 141 [[Member states of the United Nations|member states]] of the [[UN General Assembly]] voted for a resolution that Russia should immediately withdraw. Seven, including Russia, opposed.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=23 February 2023 |title=Ukraine war: UN condemns Russian invasion ahead of anniversary |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64748349 |access-date=24 February 2023 |publisher=[[BBC News]]}}</ref> Political reactions to the invasion included [[International sanctions during the Russo-Ukrainian War|new sanctions on Russia]], which triggered [[Economic impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine|widespread effects on the Russian and world economies]].<ref name="Sanctions slams Russian economy">{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Chernova |first1=Anna |last2=Cotovio |first2=Vasco |last3=Thompson |first3=Mark |date=28 February 2022 |title=Sanctions slams Russian economy |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2022/02/28/business/russia-ruble-banks-sanctions/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228085645/https://edition.cnn.com/2022/02/28/business/russia-ruble-banks-sanctions/index.html |archive-date=28 February 2022 |access-date=28 May 2022 |publisher=[[CNN]]}}</ref> As of July 2025, the EU had adopted 18 packages of sanctions against Russia and Belarus.<ref name=EU18sanctions>{{#invoke:cite|web|author=<!-- not stated --> |date= 18 July 2025|title= Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine: EU adopts 18th package of economic and individual measures|url= https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2025/07/18/russia-s-war-of-aggression-against-ukraine-eu-adopts-18th-package-of-economic-and-individual-measures/|publisher= [[Council of the EU]]|access-date=18 July 2025}}</ref> Sanctions forced Russia to reorient its oil exports, rely more on [[Liquefied natural gas|LNG]] (which was not subject to EU sanctions), and shift its coal exports from Europe to Asia.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|journal|last1=Overland |first1=Indra |last2=Loginova |first2=Julia |date=1 August 2023 |title=The Russian coal industry in an uncertain world: Finally pivoting to Asia? |journal=Energy Research & Social Science |volume=102 |article-number=103150 |bibcode=2023ERSS..10203150O |doi=10.1016/j.erss.2023.103150 |doi-access=free}}</ref> Most European countries cancelled nuclear cooperation with Russia.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|journal|last1=Szulecki |first1=Kacper |last2=Overland |first2=Indra |date=April 2023 |title=Russian nuclear energy diplomacy and its implications for energy security in the context of the war in Ukraine |journal=Nature Energy |volume=8 |issue=4 |pages=413–421 |bibcode=2023NatEn...8..413S |doi=10.1038/s41560-023-01228-5 |doi-access=free |hdl-access=free |hdl=11250/3106595}}</ref>

Over 70 countries and the EU delivered [[List of humanitarian aid to Ukraine during the Russo-Ukrainian War|humanitarian aid]] to Ukraine, and nearly 50 countries plus the EU provided [[List of military aid to Ukraine during the Russo-Ukrainian War|military aid]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|date=15 June 2023 |title=Ukraine war aid: Austin asks U.S. allies to 'dig deep' |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/us-defence-boss-austin-urges-allies-dig-deep-with-arms-ukraine-2023-06-15/ |website=Reuters}}</ref> Economic sanctions included bans on Russian aircraft using EU airspace,<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|title=EU adopts new set of measures to respond to Russia's military aggression against Ukraine |url=https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2022/02/28/eu-adopts-new-set-of-measures-to-respond-to-russia-s-military-aggression-against-ukraine/ |publisher=Europa (web portal)}}</ref> [[SWIFT ban against Russian banks|certain Russian banks from the SWIFT payments system]], and certain Russian media outlets.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|title=EU imposes sanctions on state-owned outlets RT/Russia Today and Sputnik's broadcasting in the EU |url=https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2022/03/02/eu-imposes-sanctions-on-state-owned-outlets-rt-russia-today-and-sputnik-s-broadcasting-in-the-eu/ |publisher=Europa (web portal)}}</ref> Reactions to the invasion have included public and media responses, [[2022 Russia–Ukraine peace negotiations|peace efforts]], and the examination of the [[Legality of the Russian invasion of Ukraine|invasion's legality]].

Demonstrations were held worldwide.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Tambur |first=Silver |date=26 February 2022 |title=Pictures: 30,000 people protest in Tallinn against the Russian invasion of Ukraine |url=https://estonianworld.com/pictures/pictures-30000-people-protest-in-tallinn-against-the-russian-invasion-of-ukraine/ |publisher=Estonian world}}</ref> Calls for [[2022 boycott of Russia and Belarus|a boycott of Russian goods]] spread on social media,<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Brooks |first=Hannah |date=2 May 2022 |title=Putin invaded Ukraine. But Russian immigrants are paying the price |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/putin-ukraine-russia-war-russian-immigrants-paying-price-rcna26971 |publisher=[[NBC News]]}}</ref> while hackers attacked Russian websites.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Srivastava |first=Mehul |date=6 May 2022 |title=Russia pummelled by pro-Ukrainian hackers following invasion |url=https://www.ft.com/content/3391bf8c-e431-415c-b7c5-9eeee08b3374 |work=[[Financial Times]]}}</ref> [[Anti-Russian sentiment]] against Russians living abroad surged.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Beardsworth |first=James |date=4 March 2022 |title=Russians Abroad: Blamed for a Regime They Sought to Escape |url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2022/03/04/russians-abroad-blamed-for-a-regime-they-sought-to-escape-a76762 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306231213/https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2022/03/04/russians-abroad-blamed-for-a-regime-they-sought-to-escape-a76762 |archive-date=6 March 2022 |work=[[The Moscow Times]]}}
* {{#invoke:cite|news|last=Brooks |first=Hannah |date=3 May 2022 |title=Putin invaded Ukraine. But Russian immigrants are paying the price. |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/putin-ukraine-russia-war-russian-immigrants-paying-price-rcna26971 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607005052/https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/putin-ukraine-russia-war-russian-immigrants-paying-price-rcna26971 |archive-date=7 June 2022 |publisher=[[NBC News]]}}</ref> In March 2022, Russian president Putin introduced [[Russian 2022 war censorship laws|prison sentences of up to 15 years]] for publishing "fake news" about Russian military operations,<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|date=11 March 2022|last=Mellor|first=Sophie |title=Even Russia's Kremlin-backed media is going off message and beginning to question Putin's war on Ukraine |url=https://fortune.com/2022/03/11/russia-kremlin-backed-media-off-message-question-putin-war-ukraine-invasion/ |work=[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]]}}</ref> intended to suppress any criticism related to the war.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Weir |first1=Fred |date=5 December 2022 |title=In Russia, critiquing the Ukraine war could land you in prison |url=https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2022/1205/In-Russia-critiquing-the-Ukraine-war-could-land-you-in-prison |work=[[Christian Science Monitor]]}}</ref>

Some countries, particularly in the [[Global North and Global South|Global South]], saw public sympathy or support for Russia, due in part to distrust of [[Foreign policy of the United States|US foreign policy]].<ref name="nyt-eligon">{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Eligon |first=John |date=17 March 2022 |title=In Some Parts of the World, the War in Ukraine Seems Justified |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/17/world/war-russia-china-putin-support.html |access-date=19 March 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}
* {{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Holder |first1=Josh |last2=Leatherby |first2=Lauren |last3=Troianovski |first3=Anton |last4=Cai |first4=Weiyi |date=23 February 2023 |title=The West Tried to Isolate Russia. It Didn't Work. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/02/23/world/russia-ukraine-geopolitics.html |access-date=30 July 2023 |work=[[The New York Times]] |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> According to the Economist Intelligence Unit, in 2023, 31% of the world's population lives in countries that are leaning towards or supportive of Russia, 30.7% live in neutral countries, and 36.2% live in countries that are against Russia in some way.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Garcia |first=Lucia |date=7 March 2023 |title=Russia's pockets of support are growing in the developing world |url=https://www.eiu.com/n/russias-pockets-of-support-are-growing-in-the-developing-world/ |access-date=7 July 2023 |website=[[Economist Intelligence Unit]]}}</ref>
Several parliaments passed resolutions declaring Russia to be a [[state sponsor of terrorism]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/european-lawmakers-declare-russia-state-sponsor-terrorism-2022-11-23/ |title=European Parliament declares Russia a state sponsor of terrorism |website=[[Reuters]] |date=23 November 2022 |access-date=13 December 2024 |archive-date=23 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221123121114/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/european-lawmakers-declare-russia-state-sponsor-terrorism-2022-11-23/ |url-status=live}}</ref> By October 2022, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia had declared Russia a [[State terrorism|terrorist state]].<ref name="Fiedler 2022">{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Fiedler |first=Tristan |date=18 October 2022 |title=Estonian parliament declares Russia a terrorist state |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/as-the-third-country-to-estonia-declares-russia-a-terrorist-state/ |access-date=8 June 2023 |work=[[Politico]]}}</ref> In August 2023, [[Iceland]] became the first European country to close its embassy in Russia as a result of the invasion.<ref name="Nova 2023 y784">{{#invoke:cite|web|date=1 August 2023 |title=Iceland is the first European country to close its embassy in Moscow |url=https://www.agenzianova.com/en/news/iceland-is-the-first-european-country-to-close-its-embassy-in-moscow/ |access-date=3 August 2023 |website=Agenzia Nova}}</ref>

The invasion prompted Ukraine,<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Harding |first1=Luke |last2=Koshiw |first2=Isobel |date=30 September 2022 |title=Ukraine applies for Nato membership after Russia annexes territory |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/sep/30/ukraine-applies-for-nato-membership-after-russia-annexes-territory |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221001025243/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/sep/30/ukraine-applies-for-nato-membership-after-russia-annexes-territory |archive-date=1 October 2022 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> [[Finland]], and [[Sweden]] to apply for NATO membership.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Emmott |first1=Robin |last2=Straus |first2=Marine |date=18 May 2022 |title=Finland, Sweden apply to join NATO amid Turkish objections |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/finland-sweden-submit-application-join-nato-2022-05-18/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220518070947/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/finland-sweden-submit-application-join-nato-2022-05-18/ |archive-date=18 May 2022 |work=[[Reuters]] |quote=Finland and Sweden formally applied to join the NATO alliance on Wednesday, a decision spurred by Russia's invasion of Ukraine}}</ref> Finland became a member in 2023,<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|first1=Paul |last1=Kirby|first2=Jonathan |last2=Beale|date=4 April 2023 |title=Nato's border with Russia doubles as Finland joins |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-65173043 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405214936/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-65173043 |archive-date=5 April 2023 |agency=[[BBC News]]}}</ref> and Sweden in 2024.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Erlanger |first=Steven |date=7 March 2024 |title=Sweden Officially Enters NATO Alliance, a Strategic Blow to Moscow |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/07/world/europe/sweden-nato-neutrality.html |access-date=7 March 2024 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>

== See also ==
<!-- PLEASE ENSURE THE ARTICLE IS NOT ALREADY LINKED ABOVE BEFORE ADDING. See MOS:ALSO. -->
{{#invoke:Portal|portal|2020s|Current events|Europe|Politics|Russia|Ukraine}}

* {{Annotated link|2020s in military history}}
* [[Democracy in Europe]]
* [[Elections in Russia]]
* [[Elections in Ukraine]]
* [[List of armed conflicts between Russia and Ukraine]]
* [[List of conflicts in Europe]]
* [[List of conflicts in territory of the former Soviet Union]]
* {{Annotated link|List of interstate wars since 1945}}
* [[List of invasions in the 21st century]]
* [[List of ongoing armed conflicts]]
* [[List of residential strikes during the Russian invasion (May 2022)]]
* [[List of wars: 2020–present]]
* {{Annotated link|Red lines in the Russo-Ukrainian war}}
* [[Russian emigration during the Russo-Ukrainian war (2022–present)]]

== Notes ==
{{Notelist|30em}}

== References ==
<references/>

== Bibliography ==
* {{#invoke:cite|book|last=D'Anieri |first=Paul |date=31 October 2019 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Gs6vDwAAQBAJ&pg=PP1 |title=Ukraine and Russia: From Civilized Divorce to Uncivil War |edition=1st |publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]] |isbn=978-1-108-48609-5 |via=[[Google Books]] |ref=none}}
* {{#invoke:cite|book|last=Wallensteen |first=Peter |author-link=Peter Wallensteen |year=2023 |title=Understanding Conflict Resolution |publisher=[[Sage Publishing|SAGE]] |oclc=1370602224 |location=Los Angeles |isbn=978-1-5296-1320-9}}
* {{#invoke:cite|web |last1=G. Jones |first1=Seth |last2=McCabe |first2=Riley |date=3 June 2025 |title=Russia's Battlefield Woes in Ukraine |url=https://www.csis.org/analysis/russias-battlefield-woes-ukraine |publisher=CSIS |access-date=18 June 2025}}

== External links ==
{{#invoke:Sister project links|main|auto=yes|d=Q110999040|m=yes}}
* [https://unric.org/en/the-un-and-the-war-in-ukraine-key-information/ The UN and the war in Ukraine] at the [[United Nations]]
* [https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/documents-publications/library/library-blog/posts/think-tank-reports-on-the-invasion-of-ukraine/ Think Tank reports on the invasion of Ukraine] at the [[Council of the European Union]]
* [https://news.google.com/topics/CAAqLAgKIiZDQkFTRmdvTkwyY3ZNVEZ5Y0dSaWNXcDZjeElGWlc0dFIwSW9BQVAB Russian invasion of Ukraine] at [[Google News]]
* [https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/ukraine-conflict-updates Ukraine conflict updates] at the [[Institute for the Study of War]]
* [https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/36a7f6a6f5a9448496de641cf64bd375 Interactive Map: Russia's Invasion of Ukraine] at the [[Institute for the Study of War]]
* [https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/733fe90805894bfc8562d90b106aa895 Interactive Time-lapse: Russia's War in Ukraine] at the [[Institute for the Study of War]]

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