Russian invasion of Ukraine#Support for Russia

{{further|Russia–Ukraine relations}}

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

After the dissolution of the Soviet Union in December 1991, the newly independent Russian Federation and Ukraine maintained cordial relations. In return for security guarantees, Ukraine signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in 1994 and gave up the nuclear weapons it inherited from the Soviet Union.

{{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}} Russia, the US and UK thus agreed in the Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances to uphold Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

{{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}}

• {{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}} In 1999, Russia signed the Charter for European Security, affirming the right of each state "to choose or change its security arrangements" and to join alliances.

{{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)}} In 2002, Putin said that Ukraine's relations with NATO were "a matter for those two partners".{{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/#f8 |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}} In 2005, Putin said that if Ukraine wanted to join NATO, "we will respect their choice, because it is their sovereign right to decide their own defence policy, and this will not worsen relations between our countries".Vladimir V. Putin, [http://www.en.kremlin.ru/events/president/transcripts/22952 "France 3 Interview, 7 May 2005"]. President of Russia.

Russia invaded Georgia in August 2008 and took control of the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, demonstrating Russia's willingness to use military force to attain its political objectives.{{cite web |author=Kaarel Kaas |year=2009 |title=The Russian Bear on the Warpath Against Georgia |url=http://www.icds.ee/publications/article/the-russian-bear-on-the-warpath-against-georgia/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170629170100/https://www.icds.ee/publications/article/the-russian-bear-on-the-warpath-against-georgia/ |archive-date=29 June 2017 |access-date=26 April 2019 |publisher=International Centre for Defense Studies}} Political scientist Paul D'Anieri says the United States "was accused of appeasement and naivete" over its reaction to the invasion.{{sfn|D'Anieri|2023|p=136}}

{{Main|Revolution of Dignity}}

File:Euromaidan 19 January 3.jpg

In 2013, Ukraine's parliament overwhelmingly approved finalising an association agreement with the European Union (EU),{{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 |work=Kyiv Post |date=22 February 2013}} which had been negotiated for several years. Russia did not raise any concerns about the agreement until mid-2013, when it became clear that Ukraine would no longer be able to maintain the same level of relations with Russia.{{Cite web |title=European Union Committee - Sixth Report: The EU and Russia: before and beyond the crisis in Ukraine |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201415/ldselect/ldeucom/115/11508.htm |date=10 February 2015 |access-date=26 February 2025 |publisher=Parliament of the United Kingdom |website=publications.parliament.uk}} Russia put pressure on Ukraine to reject the agreement and imposed economic sanctions on the country.{{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}} Kremlin adviser Sergei Glazyev warned in September 2013 that if Ukraine signed the EU agreement, Russia would no longer acknowledge Ukraine's borders.{{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}}

• {{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}}

In November, Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych suddenly withdrew from signing the agreement,{{cite web |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}} choosing closer ties to the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union instead. This coerced withdrawal triggered a wave of protests known as Euromaidan, culminating in the Revolution of Dignity in February 2014. Almost 100 protesters were killed. Despite signing an agreement, Yanukovych fled. Parliament voted to remove him and he ended up in Russia.

File:Map of Ukraine with Cities.png in the south and two Russia-backed separatist republics in Donbas in the east up to the 2022 invasion]]

On 27 February 2014, Russian soldiers with no insignia began to occupy the Ukrainian territory of Crimea,{{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}} and had fully controlled the peninsula by late March.{{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}} At first, Russia denied that the soldiers were theirs, but Putin later admitted that they were Russian special forces.{{cite news |title=Putin reveals secrets of Russia's Crimea takeover plot |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-31796226 |work=BBC News |date=9 March 2015}} Russia annexed Crimea in March 2014, after a widely-condemned and disputed referendum held under occupation. Historians liken the annexation to Nazi Germany's Anschluss of Austria.{{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. ...}}{{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}}

Pro-Russian protests immediately followed in the Ukrainian cities of Donetsk and Luhansk. Separatists proclaimed the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) and Luhansk People's Republic (LPR). The War in Donbas began in April 2014 when armed Russian paramilitaries led by Igor 'Strelkov' Girkin seized Sloviansk and other settlements, and the Ukrainian military began an operation against them.{{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 }}{{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}}{{Cite news |last=Ragozin |first=Leonid |date=16 March 2019 |title=Annexation of Crimea: A masterclass in political manipulation |publisher=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}} Russia covertly supported the separatists with its own troops, tanks and artillery.{{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}}

• {{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}} The International Criminal Court judged that the war was both a national and international armed conflict involving Russia,{{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}} and the European Court of Human Rights judged that Russia controlled the DPR and LPR from 2014 onward.{{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}} Ukraine's parliament declared the Donbas region to be occupied by Russia.{{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 |date=18 January 2018}}

File:A Russia-backed rebel armored fighting vehicles convoy near Donetsk, Eastern Ukraine, May 30, 2015.jpg during the War in Donbas in 2015]]

The annexation of Crimea and the Donbas war sparked a wave of Russian nationalism. Analyst Vladimir Socor called Putin's 2014 speech following the annexation a "manifesto of Greater-Russia irredentism".{{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/}} Putin began referring to "Novorossiya" (New Russia), a former Russian imperial territory that covered much of southern Ukraine.{{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}} Russian-backed forces were influenced by Russian neo-imperialism{{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}} and sought to create a new Novorossiya.{{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}} Putin referred to the Kosovo independence precedent and NATO bombing of Yugoslavia as a justification for military intervention in Ukraine.{{cite news |last1=Pineles |first1=Dean |title=How the 'Kosovo Precedent' Shaped Putin's Plan to Invade Ukraine |url=https://balkaninsight.com/2022/03/09/how-the-kosovo-precedent-shaped-putins-plan-to-invade-ukraine/ |access-date=9 February 2024 |work=Balkan Insight |date=9 March 2022}}{{cite web |last1=Ingimundarson |first1=Valur |title=The 'Kosovo Precedent': Russia's justification of military interventions and territorial revisions in Georgia and Ukraine |url=https://www.lse.ac.uk/ideas/Assets/Documents/updates/2022-SU-Valur-RussKosovo.pdf |website=LSE |publisher=The London School of Economics and Political Science |access-date=9 February 2024}}{{cite news |last1=Tzimas |first1=Themis |title=Invoking the Kosovo Precedent: Can We Dismiss the Russian Argument? |url=https://www.fletcherforum.org/home/2023/1/12/invoking-the-kosovo-precedent-can-we-dismiss-the-russian-argument |access-date=9 February 2024 |work=The Fletcher Forum of World Affairs}}{{cite journal |last1=Rotaru |first1=Vasile |last2=Troncotă |first2=Miruna |title=Continuity and change in instrumentalizing 'The Precedent'. How Russia uses Kosovo to legitimize the annexation of Crimea |journal=Southeast European and Black Sea Studies |date=2017 |volume=17 |issue=3 |pages=325–345 |doi=10.1080/14683857.2017.1348044 |s2cid=157173954}}

When the conflict began in early 2014, Ukraine was officially a neutral country{{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}} and said it was not seeking NATO membership.{{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}}{{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}} Because of Russia's occupation of Crimea and its invasion of the Donbas, Ukraine's parliament voted in December 2014 to revoke the country's neutral status and to seek Ukraine's membership in NATO.{{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 |via=rferl.org}}{{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}} In 2016, President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, said that it would take 20–25 years for Ukraine to join NATO.[http://www.rferl.org/content/juncker-says-ukraine-not-likely-join-eu-nato-for-20-25-years/27588682.html Juncker Says Ukraine Not Likely To Join EU, NATO For 20–25 Years] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811030116/http://www.rferl.org/content/juncker-says-ukraine-not-likely-join-eu-nato-for-20-25-years/27588682.html |date=11 August 2016 }}. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Published on 4 March 2016.

File:Normandy format (2019-10-09) 03.jpg meeting on 9 December 2019 would be the first and only meeting between President Zelenskyy and President Putin.{{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}}]]

The Minsk agreements, signed in September 2014 and February 2015, aimed to resolve the conflict, but ceasefires and further negotiations repeatedly failed.{{Cite news |date=29 July 2020 |title=Ukraine ceasefire violated more than 100 times within days: OSCE |publisher=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}}

The West's weak response to Russia's attack on Ukraine in 2014 led Russia to believe that the West would not react strongly to the 2022 invasion.{{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 |pages=39 |language=en}}{{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 |pages=237 |language=en}}{{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 |pages=5 |language=en}} Several political scientists said this encouraged further Russian aggression.{{Sfn|Ramani|2023|p=11}}{{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 | 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}}{{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}}

Economic interests were also a motive for Russia's attack on Ukraine and its annexation of the southeast. Control of lithium deposits in the Donbas and Ukraine's grain wealth would give Russia a "monopoly on the world market".{{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}} In 2022, Russian General Vladimir Ovchinsky confirmed that the "Russian special operation" aimed to seize Ukrainian lithium deposits.{{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}}{{Cite news |last=Margolina |first=Sonja |date=23 March 2024 |title=Russlands Appetit auf die ukrainischen Rohstoffe für die E-Zukunft |url=https://www.nzz.ch/feuilleton/russlands-appetit-auf-die-ukrainischen-rohstoffe-fuer-die-e-zukunft-ld.1821818 |access-date=6 December 2024 |work=Neue Zürcher Zeitung |language=de-CH |issn=0376-6829}}

The US government estimates that Russia's economic losses from the war and Western sanctions will amount to around $1.3 trillion by 2025, and Russia's direct financial spending on the invasion is estimated at $250 billion (as of late 2024){{snd}}costs that Russia could not have foreseen. According to a study published in mid-2022 by Canadian think tank SecDev, Russia seized energy reserves, metals and minerals worth at least $12.4 trillion in the Donbas, including 41 coal fields (63 percent of Ukraine's coal reserves), 27 natural gas fields, 9 oil fields, 6 iron ore deposits, two titanium ore deposits, a strontium deposit, a uranium deposit, a gold deposit and a large limestone quarry. The total value of raw material stocks in Ukraine is estimated at over $26 trillion. The value of lithium and rare earths in Ukraine is estimated at $11.5 trillion. In January 2024, the Russian occupation government in Donetsk Oblast granted the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources permission to mine lithium in the Shevchenko deposit near Kurakhovo, which is estimated to be worth hundreds of billions of US dollars.

The Russian elite, especially Russian generals, had invested assets and property in Ukraine for money laundering purposes before the invasion.

{{Main|Prelude to the Russian invasion of Ukraine|Ukraine–NATO relations#Russian opposition to Ukrainian NATO membership|Disinformation in the Russian invasion of Ukraine}}

File:Russian forces near Ukraine, 2021-12-03 (crop).jpg

There was a large Russian military build-up near Ukraine's borders in March and April 2021,{{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=Wilson Center}}

• {{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}} and again in both Russia and Belarus from October 2021 onward.{{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}}
• {{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.}} Russia said it was only holding military exercises. Members of the Russian government, including Putin, repeatedly denied having plans to attack or invade Ukraine, issuing denials up until the day before the invasion.{{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-status=live |url-access=limited |access-date=26 February 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220224205233/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/02/24/ukraine-russia-denials/ |archive-date=24 February 2022 |quote=On Sunday ... "There is no invasion. There is no such plans," Antonov said.}}{{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.'}}{{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 rumors of Russian troops entering Ukrainian territory,' he said.}}

While Russian troops massed on Ukraine's borders, Russia's proxy forces launched thousands of attacks on Ukrainian troops in the Donbas.{{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}} Observers from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), which also includes Ukraine and Russia, reported more than 90,000 ceasefire violations throughout 2021; the vast majority in Russian-controlled territory.{{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}}

In July 2021, Putin published an essay "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".{{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 |doi=10.31389/lseppr.86|doi-access=free }}{{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}}{{anchor|putinsEssay}} Days before the invasion, Putin claimed that Ukraine never had "real statehood" and that the creation of modern Ukraine was a mistake. Putin was accused of promoting Russian imperialism,{{Cite web |last=Snyder |first=Timothy D. |author-link=Timothy D. Snyder |date=18 January 2022 |title=How to think about war in Ukraine |url=https://snyder.substack.com/p/how-to-think-about-war-in-ukraine |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220119065436/https://snyder.substack.com/p/how-to-think-about-war-in-ukrfaine |archive-date=19 January 2022 |access-date=25 January 2022 |website=Thinking about... (newsletter) |publisher=Substack |quote=Historically speaking, the idea that a dictator in another country decides who is a nation and who is not is known as imperialism.}} historical revisionism and disinformation.{{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.}}

• {{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}}
• {{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.}}
• {{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.}}{{Cite web |last=Wiśnicki |first=Jarosław |date=14 July 2023 |title=History as an information weapon in Russia's full-scale war in Ukraine |url=https://euvsdisinfo.eu/history-as-an-information-weapon-in-russias-full-scale-war-in-ukraine/}}

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

In December 2021, Russia issued an ultimatum to the West, which included demands that NATO end all activity in its Eastern European member states and ban Ukraine or any former Soviet state from ever joining the alliance.{{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}} Russia's government said NATO was a threat and warned of a military response if it followed an "aggressive line".{{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}} Some of the demands had already been ruled out by NATO. A senior US official said the US was willing to discuss the proposals, but added that there were some "that the Russians know are unacceptable". Eastern European states willingly joined NATO for security reasons, and the last time a country bordering Russia had joined was in 2004. Ukraine had not yet applied, and some members were wary of letting it join.{{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}} Barring Ukraine would go against NATO's "open door" policy, and against treaties agreed to by Russia itself.{{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}} NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg replied that "Russia has no say" on whether Ukraine joins, and "has no right to establish a sphere of influence to try to control their neighbours".{{Cite news |date=1 December 2021 |title=NATO chief: "Russia has no right to establish a sphere of influence" |work=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}} NATO underlined that it is a defensive alliance, and that it had co-operated with Russia until the latter annexed Crimea. It offered to improve communication with Russia, and to negotiate limits on missile placements and military exercises, as long as Russia withdrew troops from Ukraine's borders,{{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}} but Russia did not.

Western leaders vowed that heavy sanctions would be imposed should Putin choose to invade rather than to negotiate.{{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}} French President Emmanuel Macron{{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}} and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz met Putin in February 2022 to dissuade him from an invasion. According to Scholz, Putin told him that Ukraine should not be an independent state.{{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}} Scholz told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to declare Ukraine a neutral country and renounce its aspirations to join NATO. Zelenskyy replied that Putin could not be trusted, as he had broken agreements before.{{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}} Ukraine had been a neutral country in 2014 when Russia occupied Crimea and invaded the Donbas.{{cite web |last1=Lutsevych |first1=Orysia |title=How to end Russia's war on Ukraine: Safeguarding Europe's future, and the dangers of a false peace |url=https://www.chathamhouse.org/2023/06/how-end-russias-war-ukraine/fallacy-3-ukraine-should-adopt-neutrality |publisher=Chatham House |doi=10.55317/9781784135782 |date=27 June 2023}} On 19 February, Zelenskyy made a speech at the Munich Security Conference, calling for Western powers to end their "appeasement" towards Putin and give a clear time-frame for when Ukraine could join NATO.{{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}} Political 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 from any track that might lead to membership".{{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}}

File:Luhansk thermal power plant after shelling, 2022-02-22 (01).jpg 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.{{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}}{{cite news |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}} Separatist leaders warned that Ukraine was about to launch an offensive, but they gave no evidence, and The Guardian noted that it would be "exceedingly risky" for Ukraine to assault the Donbas while Russian troops were massed on its borders. Ukraine and Western leaders accused Russia of staging false flag attacks and of trying to provoke retaliation, to give Russia a pretext for invading. On 17 February, Russian proxy forces shelled a kindergarten in Ukrainian-held territory, then blamed the strike on Ukraine. Zelenskyy said that his military would not respond to the provocations.

File:War tanks of pro-Russian separatists on February 23, 2022 heading for the Donbass-Ukraine border.png

According to the Royal United Services Institute, Russia's invasion plan involved defeating Ukraine within ten days and capturing or killing its government, followed by "mopping up" operations; establishing filtration camps for Ukrainians; setting up occupation regimes; trying and executing people involved in the Revolution of Dignity; and lastly annexation.{{Cite web |title=Preliminary Lessons from Russia's Unconventional Operations During the Russo-Ukrainian War, February 2022–February 2023 |url=https://rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/special-resources/preliminary-lessons-russias-unconventional-operations-during-russo-ukrainian-war-february-2022 |access-date=26 February 2025 |website=rusi.org |language=en}}{{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 |publisher=Royal United Services Institute |pages=1–12}}{{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}}{{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}} The decision to invade was reportedly made by Putin and a small group of war hawks or siloviki in Putin's inner circle, including national security adviser Nikolai Patrushev and defence minister Sergei Shoigu.{{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}}

{{Main|On conducting a special military operation}}

File:Обращение Президента Российской Федерации 2022-02-24.webm

On 21 February, Putin announced that Russia recognised the Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic as independent states. The following day, Russia announced that it was sending troops into the territories as "peacekeepers",{{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}} and the Federation Council of Russia authorised the use of military force abroad.{{Cite web |date=22 February 2022 |title=Federation Council gives consent to use the Russian Armed Forces outside of the Russian Federation |url=http://council.gov.ru/en/events/news/133443/ |access-date=21 March 2023 |publisher=Federation Council of Russia}}

Before 5 a.m. Kyiv time on 24 February, Putin, in another speech, announced a "special military operation", which effectively declared war on Ukraine.{{cite news |date=24 February 2022 |title=Putin announces formal start of Russia's invasion in eastern Ukraine |work=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}}{{Cite web |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 |website=The Kyiv Independent}}

• {{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}} Putin said the operation was to "protect the people" of the Russian-controlled breakaway republics. He baselessly claimed that Russians in the Donbas had "been facing humiliation and genocide perpetrated by the Kyiv regime" for eight years. Putin said that Russia was being threatened: he baselessly claimed that Ukrainian government officials were neo-Nazis under Western control, that Ukraine was developing nuclear weapons, and that a hostile NATO was building up its forces and military infrastructure in Ukraine. He said Russia sought the "demilitarisation and denazification" of Ukraine, and denied the legitimacy of the Ukrainian state.{{Cite web |date=24 February 2022 |title=Ukraine conflict: Russian forces attack after Putin TV declaration |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 |website=BBC News}}{{cite magazine |last=Perrigo |first=Billy |title=What Putin Gets Wrong About Ukraine's Statehood |magazine=Time |date=22 February 2022 |url=https://time.com/6150046/ukraine-statehood-russia-history-putin/ |access-date=6 November 2023}} Putin said he had no plans to occupy Ukraine.{{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}}

The invasion began within minutes of Putin's speech.

{{for timeline|Timeline of the Russian invasion of Ukraine}}

{{main list|List of military engagements during the Russian invasion of Ukraine}}

File:Map of Ukraine, including disputed regions.svg and Sevastopol) and 2022 (others). The 2022 annexation created a strategic land bridge between Crimea and Russia.]]

The invasion began at dawn on 24 February.{{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}}

• {{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 |date=24 February 2022}} It was described as the biggest attack on a European country and the first full-scale war in Europe since the Second World War.{{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}} Russia launched a simultaneous ground and air attack.{{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}} Missiles struck targets throughout Ukraine,{{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}} and Russian troops invaded from the north, east, and south.

{{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}}

• {{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}}
• {{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}} Russia did not officially declare war.{{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}} Immediately after the invasion began, Zelenskyy declared martial law in Ukraine in a first video speech.{{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}}
• {{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}} The same evening, he ordered a general mobilisation of all Ukrainian males between 18 and 60 years old,{{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}} prohibiting them from leaving the country.{{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}}

File:Bucha_main_street,_2022-04-06_(0804).jpg Russian column on 27 February in Bucha]]

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

• {{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}}

By 7 April, Russian troops deployed to the northern front by the Russian Eastern Military District pulled back from the Kyiv offensive, reportedly to resupply and redeploy to the Donbas region in an effort to reinforce the renewed invasion of southeastern Ukraine. The northeastern front, including the Central Military District, was similarly withdrawn for resupply and redeployment to southeastern Ukraine.{{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}} On 26 April, delegates from the US and 40 allied nations met at Ramstein Air Base in Germany to discuss the formation of a coalition that would provide economic support in addition to military supplies and refitting to Ukraine.{{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 |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}} Following Putin's Victory Day speech in early May, US Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines said no short term resolution to the invasion should be expected.{{Cite news |last=Barnes |first=Julian E. |date=10 May 2022 |title=The U.S. intelligence chief says Putin is preparing for a prolonged conflict |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/10/us/avril-haines-putin-russia-ukraine-war.html |url-status=live |url-access=limited |access-date=27 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220510154153/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/10/us/avril-haines-putin-russia-ukraine-war.html |archive-date=10 May 2022 |issn=1553-8095 |oclc=1645522}}

File:Робоча поїздка Президента України на Миколаївщину та Одещину 50.jpg

Ukraine's reliance on Western-supplied equipment constrained operational effectiveness, as supplying countries feared that Ukraine would use Western-made matériel to strike targets in Russia.{{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}} Military experts disagreed on the future of the conflict; some suggested that Ukraine should trade territory for peace,{{Cite news |last1=Champion |first1=Marc |last2=Kudrytski |first2=Aliaksandr |date=28 May 2022 |title=Russian Wins in Eastern Ukraine Spark Debate Over Course of War |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-05-27/russian-wins-in-eastern-ukraine-spark-debate-over-course-of-war |work=Bloomberg}}

• {{Cite news |last=Luxmoore |first=Matthew |date=26 May 2022 |title=Ukraine Slams Idea of Swapping Land for Peace |work=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraine-slams-idea-of-exchanging-land-for-peace-11653558912 |access-date=24 September 2023 |issn=0099-9660}} while others believed that Ukraine could maintain its resistance due to Russian losses.{{Cite web |last=Atlamazoglou |first=Stavros |date=30 May 2022 |title=War in Ukraine, Day 96 Update: Russia's Military Losses are 'Unsustainable' |url=https://www.19fortyfive.com/2022/05/war-in-ukraine-day-96-update-russias-military-losses-are-unsustainable/ |website=19fortyfive.com}}

{{for timeline|Timeline of the Russian invasion of Ukraine (24 February – 7 April 2022)}}

File:2022 Russian Invasion of Ukraine Phase 1 animated.gif

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.

{{Further|Capture of Chernobyl|Battle of Kyiv (2022)|Bucha massacre|Siege of Chernihiv|Battle of Sumy}}

{{See also|Russian occupation of Sumy Oblast}}

File:Putin-Shoigu meeting.png meeting with Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu in April 2022, after Russia's defeat at the Battle of Kyiv]]

File:50 днів активного спротиву окупанту 02.jpg, the largest aircraft ever built, was destroyed during the Battle of Antonov Airport.]]

Russian tried to seize Kyiv quickly with a probative 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.{{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}}

• {{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}}
• {{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}}{{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}} The apparent intent was to encircle the city from the west, supported by two separate axes of attack from Russia along the east bank of the Dnipro: the western at Chernihiv, and from the east at Sumy. These were likely intended to encircle Kyiv from the northeast and east.{{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}}

Russian forces advanced into Chernihiv Oblast on 24 February, besieging its administrative capital within four days of fighting.{{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}}{{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}} Travelling along highways, Russian forces reached Brovary, an eastern suburb of Kyiv, on 4 March.

The United States contacted Zelenskyy and offered to help him flee the country, lest the Russian Army attempt to kidnap or kill him on seizing Kyiv; Zelenskyy responded that "The fight is here; I need ammunition, not a ride."{{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}} By early March, Russian advances along the west side of the Dnipro were limited by Ukrainian defences. As of 5 March, a large Russian convoy, reportedly {{Convert|64|km|mi}} long, had made little progress toward Kyiv.{{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}} Advances from Chernihiv largely halted as a siege began there. Russian forces continued to advance on Kyiv from the northwest, capturing Bucha, Hostomel and Vorzel by 5 March,{{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}}{{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}} though Irpin remained contested as of 9 March.{{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}} By 11 March, the lengthy convoy had largely dispersed and taken cover.{{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}} On 16 March, Ukrainian forces began a counter-offensive to repel Russian forces.{{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}} Unable to achieve a quick victory in Kyiv, Russian forces switched their strategy to indiscriminate bombing and siege warfare.{{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}}{{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}}

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

{{Further|Siege of Mariupol|2022 bombing of Odesa|Battle of Kherson|Battle of Enerhodar|Battle of Kharkiv (2022)|Battle of Izium|Millerovo air base attack}}

{{See also|Russian occupation of Kherson Oblast|Russian occupation of Zaporizhzhia Oblast|Russian occupation of Kharkiv Oblast}}

File:Russian bombardment on the outskirts of Kharkiv.jpg

File:Destruction of Russian tanks by Ukrainian troops in Mariupol (4).jpg near Mariupol, 7 March 2022]]

On 24 February, a Russian attack group moved northwest from Crimea, capturing a bridge over the Dnieper{{Cite news |title=Ukraine loses control over crossing to Kherson |agency=Ukrinform |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}} as well as the North Crimean Canal.{{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}} A third Russian attack group from Crimea moved northwest and captured the bridge over the Dnieper. On 1 March, Russian troops took Kherson; this was the first major city to fall to Russian forces.{{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}} Russian troops moved on Mykolaiv and attacked it two days later, but were repelled by Ukrainian forces.{{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}}

Russian forces approached the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant on 26 February{{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}} and besieged Enerhodar.

By 25 February, Russian units from the DPR had begun advancing on Mariupol.{{Cite news |title=Battle ongoing near Mariupol – mayor |agency=Ukrinform |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}}

• {{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}} The next day, Russian forces captured Berdiansk{{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}} and approached Mariupol.{{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}}{{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}} On 1 March, Denis Pushilin, head of the DPR, announced that DPR forces had almost completely surrounded the city of Volnovakha.{{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}}

On 14 March, the Ukrainian government said more than 2,500 had died in Mariupol.{{Cite news |last1=Lister |first1=Tim |last2=Kesa |first2=Julia |name-list-style=and |date=14 March 2022 |title=Ukraine puts death toll in Mariupol bombardment at more than 2,500 |url=https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-putin-news-03-14-22/h_3db1542de366d188c4e7979e7b5ecc95 |access-date=14 March 2022 |publisher=CNN}} By 18 March, Mariupol was completely encircled and fighting had reached the city centre, hampering efforts to evacuate civilians.{{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}} The Russians demanded surrender, and the Ukrainians refused.{{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}} On 27 March, Ukrainian deputy prime minister Olha Stefanishyna said that "(m)ore than 85 percent of the whole town is destroyed."{{Cite news |last=Scully |first=Rachel |date=27 March 2022 |title=Ukrainian official: Mariupol 'simply does not exist anymore' |work=The Hill |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/sunday-talk-shows/599917-ukrainian-official-mariupol-simply-does-not-exist-anymore |access-date=29 March 2022}} On 29 March, Putin told Macron that the bombardment of Mariupol would only end when the Ukrainians surrendered. On 1 April, Russian troops refused safe passage into Mariupol to 50 buses sent by the United Nations to evacuate civilians.{{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}}{{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}}

In the east, Russian troops attempted to capture Kharkiv, less than {{convert|35|km|mi}} from the Russian border,{{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}}

• {{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 |language=uk}} and met strong Ukrainian resistance. Izium was captured by Russian forces on 1 April{{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}} after a monthlong battle.{{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}} On 25 March, the Russian defence ministry said it would seek to occupy major cities in eastern Ukraine.{{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}}

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

{{for timeline|Timeline of the Russian invasion of Ukraine (8 April – 28 August 2022)}}

File:2022 Russian Invasion of Ukraine Phase 2 animated.gif

By 17 April, Russian progress on the southeastern front appeared to be impeded by opposing Ukrainian forces in the large, heavily fortified Azovstal steel mill and surrounding area in Mariupol.

On 19 April, The New York Times confirmed that Russia had launched a renewed invasion front referred to as 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 in the north and Lviv in western Ukraine.{{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}} As of 30 April, a NATO official described Russian advances as "uneven" and "minor".{{Cite news |date=30 April 2022 |title=Russia bombards Kharkiv but Ukrainians having 'tactical successes', says Zelenskiy |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/apr/30/russia-bombards-kharkiv-but-ukrainians-having-tactical-successes-says-zelenskiy}} An anonymous US Defence official called the Russian offensive "very tepid", "minimal at best", and "anaemic".{{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}}

By 30 May, disparities between Russian and Ukrainian artillery were apparent, with Ukrainian artillery being vastly outgunned, in terms of both range and number. In response to US President Joe Biden's indication that enhanced artillery would be provided to Ukraine, Putin said that Russia would expand its invasion front to include new cities in Ukraine. In apparent retribution, Putin ordered a missile strike against Kyiv on 6 June after not directly attacking the city for several weeks.CBS News Videos. "Russia bombards Kyiv, vows to strike new targets if U.S. sends long-range missiles to Ukraine". 6 June 2022. [https://news.yahoo.com/russia-bombards-kyiv-vows-strike-123428279.html?fr=yhssrp_catchall] On 10 June 2022, deputy head of the SBU Vadym Skibitsky stated that during the Sievierodonetsk campaign, the frontlines were where the future of the invasion would be decided:{{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}}

{{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 to 15 Russian artillery pieces. Our western partners have given us about 10% of what they have.}}

On 29 June, Reuters reported that US Intelligence Director Avril Haines, in an update of past US intelligence assessments on the Russian invasion, said that US intelligence agencies agree that 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."{{Cite web |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 |website=Reuters}} On 5 July, BBC reported that extensive destruction by the Russian invasion would cause immense financial damage to Ukraine's reconstruction economy, with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal telling nations at a reconstruction conference in Switzerland that Ukraine needs $750B for a recovery plan and Russian oligarchs should contribute to the cost.{{Cite news |last=Rainford |first=Sarah |date=5 July 2022 |title=Ukraine war: Putin presses on after Lysychansk capture |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-62033619}}

In June 2022 the chief spokesman for the Russian Ministry of Defence Igor Konashenkov revealed that Russian troops were divided between the Army Groups "Centre" commanded by Colonel General Aleksander Lapin and "South" commanded by Army General Sergey Surovikin.{{Cite news |last=Cherkasov |first=Alexander |date=26 June 2022 |script-title=uk:Люди, стрелявшие в наших отцов |agency=Novaya Gazeta |url=https://novayagazeta.eu/articles/2022/06/26/liudi-streliavshie-v-nashikh-ottsov}} On 20 July, Lavrov announced that Russia would respond to the increased military aid being received by Ukraine from abroad as justifying the expansion of its special military operation to include objectives in both the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblasts.{{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}}

Russian Ground Forces started recruiting volunteer battalions from the regions in June 2022 to create a new 3rd Army Corps within the Western Military District, with a planned strength estimated at 15,500–60,000 personnel.{{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}}

• {{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}} Its units were deployed to the front around the time of Ukraine's 9 September Kharkiv oblast counteroffensive, in time to join the Russian retreat, leaving behind tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, and personnel carriers: the 3rd Army Corps "melted away" according to Forbes, having little or no impact on the battlefield along with other irregular forces.{{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.msn.com/en-us/money/news/the-russians-spent-months-forming-a-new-army-corps-it-lasted-days-in-ukraine/ar-AA11RjPK |magazine=Forbes |access-date=19 September 2022 |via=MSN}}
• {{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}}

{{further|Siege of Mariupol}}

On 13 April, Russian forces intensified their attack on the Azovstal Iron and Steel Works in Mariupol.{{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}} By 17 April, Russian forces had surrounded the factory. Ukrainian prime minister Denys Shmyhal said that the Ukrainian soldiers had vowed to ignore the renewed ultimatum to surrender and to fight to the last soul.{{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}} On 20 April, Putin said that the siege of Mariupol could be considered tactically complete, since the 500 Ukrainian troops entrenched in bunkers within the Azovstal iron works and estimated 1,000 Ukrainian civilians were completely sealed off from any type of relief.{{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}}

After consecutive meetings with Putin and Zelenskyy, UN Secretary-General Guterres on 28 April said he would attempt to organise an emergency evacuation of survivors from Azovstal in accordance with assurances he had received from Putin on his visit to the Kremlin.{{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}} On 30 April, Russian troops allowed civilians to leave under UN protection.{{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}} By 3 May, after allowing approximately 100 Ukrainian civilians to depart from the Azovstal steel factory, Russian troops renewed their bombardment of the steel factory.{{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}} On 6 May, The Daily Telegraph reported that Russia had used thermobaric bombs against the remaining Ukrainian soldiers, who had lost contact with the Kyiv government; in his last communications, Zelenskyy authorised the commander of the besieged steel factory to surrender as necessary under the pressure of increased Russian attacks.{{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/}} On 7 May, the Associated Press reported that all civilians were evacuated from the Azovstal steel works at the end of the three-day ceasefire.{{Cite news |date=7 May 2022 |title='All' civilians have been evacuated from a besieged steel plant in Mariupol |publisher=NPR |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/05/07/1097413091/steel-plant-mariupol-azovstal-civilians-evacuated |access-date=2 June 2022}}

File:Наслідки обстрілу дитячої лікарні та пологового будинку в Маріуполі, 9 березня 2022 року.jpg after a Russian airstrike]]

After the last civilians evacuated from the Azovstal bunkers, nearly two thousand Ukrainian soldiers remained barricaded there, 700 of them injured. They were able to communicate a plea for a military corridor to evacuate, as they expected summary execution if they surrendered to Russian forces.{{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}} Reports of dissent within the Ukrainian troops at Azovstal were reported by Ukrainska Pravda on 8 May indicating that the commander of the Ukrainian marines assigned to defend the Azovstal bunkers made an unauthorised acquisition of tanks, munitions, and personnel, broke out from the position there and fled. The remaining soldiers spoke of a weakened defensive position in Azovstal as a result, which allowed progress to advancing Russian lines of attack.{{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 |url=https://news.yahoo.com/mariupol-defenders-tell-commander-marines-120905296.html |access-date=2 June 2022}} Ilia Somolienko, deputy commander of the remaining Ukrainian troops barricaded at Azovstal, said: "We are basically here dead men. Most of us know this and it's why we fight so fearlessly."{{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}}

On 16 May, the Ukrainian General staff announced that the Mariupol garrison had "fulfilled its combat mission" and that final evacuations from the Azovstal steel factory had begun. The military said that 264 service members were evacuated to Olenivka under Russian control, while 53 of them who were "seriously injured" had been taken to a hospital in Novoazovsk also controlled by Russian forces.{{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://archive.today/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}}{{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}} Following the evacuation of Ukrainian personnel from Azovstal, Russian and DPR forces fully controlled all areas of Mariupol. The end of the battle also brought an end to the Siege of Mariupol. Russia press secretary Dmitry Peskov said Russian President Vladimir Putin had guaranteed that the fighters who surrendered would be treated "in accordance with international standards" while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an address that "the work of bringing the boys home continues, and this work needs delicacy—and time." Some prominent Russian lawmakers called on the government to deny prisoner exchanges for members of the Azov Regiment.{{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://archive.today/20220517160354/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-backed-separatists-say-256-ukrainian-fighters-surrendered-azovstal-2022-05-17/ |archive-date=17 May 2022}}

{{Main|Battle of Donbas (2022–present)}}

{{Further|Battle of Popasna|Kramatorsk railway station attack|Battle of Sievierodonetsk (2022)|Battle of Lysychansk}}

File:Map of the war in Donbass.svg

A Russian missile attack on Kramatorsk railway station in the city of Kramatorsk took place on 8 April, reportedly killing at least 61 people and injuring as many as 87 to 300.{{Cite web |last1=Tebor |first1=Celina |last2=Lee |first2=Ella |date=8 April 2022 |title='An evil without limits': Dozens killed, injured in rocket strike on train station in eastern Ukraine: Live updates |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2022/04/08/kraine-russia-invasion-live-updates/9507961002/ |access-date=8 April 2022 |website=USA Today}} On 11 April, Zelenskyy said that Ukraine expected a major new Russian offensive in the east.{{Cite news |date=11 April 2022 |title=Tens of thousands feared dead in Mariupol |publisher=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}} American officials said that Russia had withdrawn or been repulsed elsewhere in Ukraine, and therefore was preparing a retraction, resupply, and redeployment of infantry and tank divisions to the southeastern Ukraine front.{{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}}{{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}} Military satellites photographed extensive Russian convoys of infantry and mechanised units deploying south from Kharkiv to Izium on 11 April, apparently part of the planned Russian redeployment of its northeastern troops to the southeastern front of the invasion.{{Cite news |last=Saric |first=Ivana |date=10 April 2022 |title=Satellite images: Russian military convoy heads south toward Donbas region |work=Axios |url=https://www.axios.com/photos-russia-convoy-donbas-3af345c4-c292-4181-abe5-80abbc303b8b.html}}

On 18 April, with Mariupol almost entirely 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 of the Donbas.{{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}}

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.{{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}}

On 23 May, Russian forces were reported entering the city of Lyman, fully capturing the city by 26 May.{{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}}{{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}} Ukrainian forces were reported leaving Sviatohirsk.{{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}} By 24 May, Russian forces captured the city of Svitlodarsk.{{Cite news |title=Donetsk region: occupying forces capture Svitlodarsk |work=Yahoo News |url=https://news.yahoo.com/donetsk-region-occupying-forces-capture-133430234.html |access-date=24 May 2022}} On 30 May, Reuters reported that Russian troops had breached the outskirts of Sievierodonetsk.{{Cite news |date=30 May 2022 |title=Russian troops enter outskirts of key city in eastern Ukraine's Donbas |publisher=NBC News |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/ukraine-russia-battle-east-zelenskyy-visits-front-rcna31076 |access-date=2 June 2022}} By 2 June, The Washington Post reported that Sievierodonetsk was on the brink of capitulation to Russian occupation with over 80 per cent of the city in the hands of Russian troops.{{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}} 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.{{Cite news |date=4 June 2022 |title=Russia 'suffering huge casualties' as troops retreat: Ukraine |publisher=Al Jazeera |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/6/4/fighting-rages-in-two-key-eastern-ukrainian-cities |access-date=5 June 2022}}

On 12 June, it was reported that possibly as many as 800 Ukrainian civilians (as per Ukrainian estimates) and 300–400 soldiers (as per Russian sources) were besieged at the Azot chemical factory in Sievierodonetsk.{{Cite news |date=12 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}}{{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}} With the Ukrainian defences of Sievierodonetsk faltering, Russian invasion troops began intensifying their attack upon the neighbouring city of Lysychansk as their next target city in the invasion.{{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}} On 20 June it was reported that Russian troops continued to tighten their grip on Sievierodonetsk by capturing surrounding villages and hamlets surrounding the city, most recently the village of Metelkine.{{Cite news |last=Hughes |first=Clyde |date=20 June 2022 |title=Russian troops capture key suburb near Severodonetsk after months of battle |work=UPI |url=https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2022/06/20/Ukraine-Severdonetsk-suburb-capture-Kharkiv/6931655722874/}}

On 24 June, CNN reported that, amid continuing scorched-earth tactics being applied 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 in the withdrawal, with some comparing their plight to that of the civilians at the Azovstal steel works in Mariupol in May.{{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}} On 3 July, CBS announced that the Russian defence ministry claimed that the city of Lysychansk had been captured and occupied by Russian forces.{{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/}} On 4 July, The Guardian reported that after the fall of the Luhansk oblast, that Russian invasion troops would continue their invasion into the adjacent Donetsk Oblast to attack the cities of Sloviansk and Bakhmut.{{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}}

{{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

On 6 September 2022, Ukrainian forces launched a surprise counteroffensive in the Kharkiv region, beginning near Balakliia, led by General Syrskyi.

{{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}}

• {{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}}
• {{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}} 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.{{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}}
• {{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}} On 21 September 2022, Vladimir Putin announced a partial mobilisation and Minister of Defence Sergei Shoigu said 300,000 reservists would be called.{{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}}
• {{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}}
• {{Cite web |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 |website=Reuters}} 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".{{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}} British Foreign Office Minister Gillian Keegan called the situation an "escalation",{{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}} while former Mongolian president Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj accused Russia of using Russian Mongols as "cannon fodder".{{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}}

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

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

On 30 September 2022, Vladimir Putin announced the annexation of Ukraine's Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia oblasts in an address to both houses of the Russian parliament.{{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 |publisher=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/09/30/europe/putin-russia-ukraine-annexation-intl/index.html |access-date=26 January 2023}}

• {{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}} Ukraine, the United States, the European Union and the United Nations all denounced the annexation as illegal.{{Cite news |last=Trevelyan |first=Mark |date=30 September 2022 |title=Putin declares annexation of Ukrainian lands in Kremlin ceremony |publisher=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/putin-declare-annexation-ukrainian-lands-major-escalation-war-2022-09-29/ |access-date=30 September 2022}}

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

File:Volodymyr Zelenskyy took part in hoisting the State Flag of Ukraine in liberated Kherson. (52502054830).jpg, participating in reraising the Ukrainian flag in Kherson a few days after 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.{{Cite news |title=Ukraine's south is on the line as a major counteroffensive appears to be underway |work=NBC News |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/ukraine-counteroffensive-russian-held-south-kherson-rcna45265 |access-date=31 August 2022}}

• {{Cite web |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 |website=Reuters}}
• {{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}} By 4 September, Ukrainian forces had retaken the village of Vysokopillia.{{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}}
• {{Cite news |last1=Gadzo |first1=Mersiha |last2=Ibrahim |first2=Arwa |date=4 September 2022 |title=Ukraine-Russia live 4 September 2022 |work=Al Jazeera |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2022/9/4/ukraine-russia-live-updates-berlin-agrees-e65bn-inflation-relief}} Ukrainian attacks also continued along the southern frontline, though reports about territorial changes were largely unverifiable.{{Cite web |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 |website=Tagesschau |language=German}}

In October, Ukrainian forces pushed further south towards the city of Kherson, taking control of {{convert|1170|km2|sqmi}} of territory, with fighting extending to Dudchany.{{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}}{{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}} On 9 November, defence minister Shoigu ordered Russian forces to leave part of Kherson Oblast, including the city of Kherson, and move to the eastern bank of the Dnieper.{{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}} 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 (right) bank of the Dnieper.{{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}}

{{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. By 7 September, Ukrainian forces had advanced some {{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 in response to the Ukrainian offensive there.{{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}} On 8 September, Ukrainian forces captured Balakliia and advanced to within {{convert|15|km}} of Kupiansk.{{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}} 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.{{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}}

On 9 September, the Russian occupation administration of Kharkiv Oblast announced it would "evacuate" the civilian populations of Izium, Kupiansk and Velykyi Burluk. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said it believed Kupiansk would likely fall in the next 72 hours,{{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}} while Russian reserve units were sent to the area by both road and helicopter.{{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}} On the morning of 10 September, photos emerged claiming to depict Ukrainian troops raising the Ukrainian flag in the centre of Kupiansk,{{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}} and the ISW said Ukrainian forces had captured approximately {{convert|2500|sqkm}} by effectively exploiting their breakthrough.{{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}} Later in the day, 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.{{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}}

By 15 September, an assessment by UK's Ministry of Defence confirmed that Russia had either lost or withdrawn from almost all of their positions west of the Oskil river. The retreating units had also abandoned various high-value military assets.{{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/}} The offensive continued pushing east and by 1 October, Ukrainian Armed Forces had liberated the key city of Lyman.{{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}}

{{for timeline|Timeline of the Russian invasion of Ukraine (12 November 2022 – 7 June 2023)}}

{{further|Russian winter offensive in Ukraine (2022–2023)|Battle of Vuhledar|Battle of Marinka (2022–2023)}}

File:Денис Шмигаль та Матеуш Моравецький зустріли в Україні перші танки Leopard 2, надані Польщею 06.jpg tanks provided by Poland to Ukraine]]

After the end of the twin Ukrainian counteroffensives, the fighting shifted to a semi-deadlock during the winter,{{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 |access-date=26 April 2023}} with heavy casualties but reduced motion of the frontline.{{Cite news |last=Trofimov |first=Yaroslav |title=Ukraine, Russia Gird for a Decisive Spring Campaign After a Bloody Winter |work=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraine-russia-gird-for-a-decisive-spring-campaign-after-a-bloody-winter-a3beef16 |access-date=26 April 2023}} Russia launched a self-proclaimed winter offensive in eastern Ukraine, but the campaign ended in "disappointment" for Moscow, with limited gains as the offensive stalled.{{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}} Analysts variously blamed the failure on Russia's lack of "trained men", and supply problems with artillery ammunition, among other problems. Near the end of May, Mark Galeotti assessed that "after Russia's abortive and ill-conceived winter offensive, which squandered its opportunity to consolidate its forces, Ukraine is in a relatively strong position."{{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}}

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, against Ukraine troops already wearied by previous fighting.{{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}} The Russian private military company Wagner Group took on greater prominence in the war,{{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 |access-date=26 April 2023}} leading "grinding advances" in Bakhmut with tens of thousands of recruits from prison battalions taking part in "near suicidal" assaults on Ukrainian positions.

In late January 2023, fighting intensified in southern Zaporizhzhia Oblast, with both sides suffering heavy casualties.{{Cite news |last=Grove |first=Thomas |date=24 January 2023 |title=Fighting Intensifies in Southern Ukraine |page=A6 |work=The Wall Street Journal}}

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

In late 2022, as Russian casualties exceeded 50,000, the Russian army introduced barrier troops. The U.K. defence ministry stated that these are units that threaten to shoot their own retreating soldiers in order to compel offensives. In March 2023, Russian soldiers filmed a video addressed to President Putin where they stated that after suffering casualties, they attempted to return to their headquarters but their superiors denied them evacuation. They stated that barrier troops were placed behind them threatening to "destroy them".{{cite web |last=Sauer |first=Pjotr |title=Russian soldiers say commanders used 'barrier troops' to stop them retreating |website=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}} In particular, Storm-Z units have been reported to be "kept in line" by barrier troops.{{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}}

{{Main|Battle of Bakhmut}}

File:Bakhmut during the battle (2023-04-05), frame 16531.jpg

Following defeat in Kherson and Kharkiv, Russian and Wagner forces focused on taking the city of Bakhmut and breaking the half year long stalemate that prevailed there since the start of the war. Russian forces sought to encircle the city, attacking from the north via Soledar. After taking heavy casualties, Russian and Wagner forces took control of Soledar on 16 January 2023.{{Cite web |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 |website=The Kyiv Independent}}{{Cite web |title=Ukraine confirms that Russia has taken control of disputed town of Soledar |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/ukraine-confirms-that-russia-has-taken-control-of-disputed-town-of-soledar/ar-AA16nYjG |access-date=16 January 2023 |website=MSN}} 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.{{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}}

• {{Cite news |last=Guerin |first=Orla |date=8 February 2023 |title=Ukraine war: Borrowed time for Bakhmut as Russians close in |publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64523029 |access-date=10 February 2023}}
• {{Cite web |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 |publisher=CBS News}}

On 4 March, Bakhmut's deputy mayor told news services that there was street fighting in the city.{{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}}

• {{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}} 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,{{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}} following which Wagner forces retreated from the city in place of regular Russian units.{{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}}

{{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 on 10 June 2023 caused by the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam on 6 June 2023]]

In June 2023, Ukrainian forces gradually launched a series of counteroffensives on multiple fronts, including Donetsk Oblast, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, and others.{{Cite news |date=8 June 2023 |title=Ukrainian military begins counteroffensive to oust Russian occupiers |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/06/08/ukraine-counteroffensive-russia-war-zaporizhzhia/ |access-date=9 June 2023 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}

• {{Cite web |date=8 June 2023 |title=Ukraine begins counteroffensive against Russia, officials say |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/live-updates/russia-ukraine-war/?id=99926452 |access-date=9 June 2023 |website=abc}}
• {{Cite web |date=8 June 2023 |title=Ukraine launches counteroffensive against Russia |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/ukraine-launches-counteroffensive-russia-zaporizhzhia-rcna88332 |access-date=9 June 2023 |website=nbc}} On 8 June 2023, counteroffensive efforts focused near settlements such as Orikhiv, Tokmak, and Bakhmut.{{Cite web |date=9 June 2023 |title=Ukraine army attacks Russian forces in southern Zaporizhzhia region |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-65851760 |access-date=9 June 2023 |publisher=BBC News}}
• {{Cite web |date=8 June 2023 |title=Intense fighting reported as Ukrainian forces go on attack south of Zaporizhzhia |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jun/08/tense-fighting-reported-as-ukrainian-forces-go-on-attack-south-of-zaporizhzhia |access-date=9 June 2023 |website=The Guardian}}
• {{Cite web |date=8 June 2023 |title=Ukraine counteroffensive: Kyiv claims gains in Bakhmut |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/ukraine-claims-gains-bakhmut-amid-reports-counteroffensive-russia-hanna-maliar/ |access-date=9 June 2023 |website=Politico}} Counteroffensive operations faced stiff resistance from Russia,{{Cite news |date=9 June 2023 |title=Ukraine counteroffensive ramps up, but meets stiff Russian resistance |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/ukraine-russia-war-counteroffensive-ramps-up-but-meets-stiff-russian-resistance/ |access-date=9 June 2023 |work=Politico}} and the American think tank Institute for the Study of War described the Russian defensive effort as having "an uncharacteristic degree of coherency".{{Cite web |date=8 June 2023 |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, June 8, 2023 |url=https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-june-8-2023 |access-date=9 June 2023 |website=ISW}} By 12 June, Ukraine reported its fastest advance in seven months, claiming to have liberated several villages and advanced a total of 6.5 km. Russian military bloggers also reported that Ukraine had taken Blahodatne, Makarivka and Neskuchne, and were continuing to push southward.{{cite web |last=Balmforth |first=Tom |title=Ukraine claims new gains in early phase of counteroffensive |publisher=Reuters |date=12 June 2023 |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-reports-small-gains-early-stages-counteroffensive-2023-06-12/ |access-date=13 June 2023}} Ukraine continued to liberate settlements over the next few months, raising the Ukrainian flag over the settlement of Robotyne in late August.{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-will-speed-up-advance-southern-front-commander-2023-08-26/ |first=Vladyslav |last=Smilianets |title=Ukraine will speed up advance on southern front, commander says |access-date=27 August 2023 |date=26 August 2023}}

File:Prigozhin rebellion Rostov tank with flowers in the muzzle June 24.jpg belonging to the Wagner Group decorated with flowers during the Wagner Group rebellion in the summer of 2023]]

On 24 June, the Wagner Group launched a brief rebellion against the Russian government, capturing several cities in western Russia largely unopposed before marching towards Moscow.{{Cite news |date=25 June 2023 |title=Russian mercenaries' short-lived revolt could have long-term consequences for Putin |publisher=Associated Press |url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-wagner-prigozhin-belarus-deal-6782455ddc4234816bfb2d7d388d8a9a |access-date=25 June 2023}} This came as the culmination of prolonged infighting and power struggles between Wagner and the Russian Ministry of Defence.{{Cite web |title='There's nobody on earth who can stop them' What Wagner Group veterans have to say about Yevgeny Prigozhin's armed rebellion |url=https://meduza.io/en/feature/2023/06/25/there-s-nobody-on-earth-who-can-stop-them |access-date=25 June 2023 |website=Meduza}} After about 24 hours, the Wagner Group backed down{{Cite news |last=Maynes |first=Charles |date=24 June 2023 |title=Wagner Group chief says his mercenaries will halt their march on Moscow |url=https://www.npr.org/2023/06/24/1184166949/wagner-group-moscow-halting-march-russia |work=NPR}} and agreed to a peace deal in which Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin would go into exile in Belarus, and his forces would be free from prosecution. On 27 June, the UK's Ministry of Defence reported that Ukraine were "highly likely" to have reclaimed territory in the eastern Donbas region occupied by Russia since 2014 among its advances. Pro-Russian bloggers also reported that Ukrainian forces had made gains in the southern Kherson Oblast, establishing a foothold on the left bank of the Dnipro river.{{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 |access-date=4 July 2023}}

In August, The Guardian reported that Ukraine had become the most mined country in the world, with Russia laying millions of mines attempting to thwart Ukraine's counteroffensive. The vast minefields forced Ukraine to extensively de-mine areas to allow advances. Ukrainian officials reported shortages of men and equipment as Ukrainian soldiers unearthed five mines for every square metre in certain places.{{Cite web |date=13 August 2023 |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 |access-date=12 September 2023 |website=The Guardian}}

• {{Cite web |date=7 September 2023 |title=In Ukraine with the minesweepers: 'At times, it took me four days to clear 150 meters, there was no other option' |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/europe/article/2023/09/07/in-ukraine-with-the-minesweepers-it-took-me-four-days-at-times-to-clear-150-meters-there-was-no-other-option_6127932_143.html |access-date=12 September 2023 |website=Le Monde}}

File:School lessons in Kharkiv Metro during Russian invasion, 2023-09-04 (04).jpg due to the danger of Russian shelling]]

Following Russia pulling out of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, the conflict on the Black Sea escalated with Ukraine targeting Russian ships. On 4 August, Ukrainian security service sources reported that the Russian landing ship Olenegorsky Gornyak had been hit and damaged by an unmanned naval drone. Video footage released by Ukraine's security services appeared to show the drone striking the ship, with another video showing the ship seemingly listing to one side.{{cite news |last=Waterhouse |first=James |title=Russian ship hit in Novorossiysk, Black Sea drone attack, Ukraine sources say |work=BBC News |date=4 August 2023 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66402046 |access-date=13 September 2023}}

• {{Cite news |date=4 August 2023 |title=Russian navy vessel damaged in drone attack – Ukrainian source |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russian-navy-vessel-damaged-drone-attack-ukrainian-source-2023-08-04/ |access-date=23 September 2023}}

On 12 September, both Ukrainian and Russian sources reported that Russian naval targets in Sevastopol had been struck by unconfirmed weaponry, damaging two military vessels, one of them reportedly a submarine.{{cite news |last=Balmforth |first=Tom |title=Ukraine hits Russian naval targets in major Crimea attack |work=Reuters |date=13 September 2023 |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-launches-missile-attack-sevastopol-crimea-russian-installed-governor-2023-09-13/ |access-date=13 September 2023}} Ukraine also reported that several oil and gas drilling platforms on the Black Sea held by Russia since 2015 had been retaken.{{cite news |last=Santora |first=Marc |title=Ukraine Strikes the Headquarters of Russia's Black Sea Fleet in Crimea |work=The New York Times |date=12 September 2023 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/12/world/europe/sevastopol-explosion-black-sea-ukraine.html |access-date=13 September 2023}}

File:Liberation of Klishchiivka, 2023-09-17 (01).jpg on 17 September 2023]]

In September 2023, Ukrainian intelligence estimated that Russia had deployed over 420,000 troops in Ukraine.

• {{cite web |url=https://interfax.com.ua/news/political/934000.html |title=Russia concentrated over 420,000 troops in Ukraine – Main Intelligence Directorate MoD |date=9 September 2023 |language=UK |publisher=Interfax Ukraine}}
• {{Cite news |date=10 September 2023 |title=Military intelligence: More than 420,000 Russian soldiers deployed across occupied territories |url=https://kyivindependent.com/military-intelligence-more-than-420-000-russian-soldiers-deployed-across-occupied-territories/ |access-date=23 September 2023 |work=The Kyiv Independent}}

On 21 September, Russia began missile strikes across Ukraine, damaging the country's energy facilities.{{Cite news |date=21 September 2023 |title=As Russia hits Ukraine's energy facilities with a deadly missile attack, fear mounts over nuclear plants |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/russia-ukraine-war-zelenskyy-says-putin-weaponizing-energy-nuclear-plants/ |access-date=25 September 2023 |work=CBS News}} On 22 September, the US announced it would send long-range ATACMS missiles to Ukraine,{{Cite news |title=Ukraine to receive US long-range ATACMS missiles, US media report |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/9/23/ukraine-to-get-us-long-range-atacms-missiles-us-media-report |access-date=23 September 2023 |work=Al Jazeera}}

• {{Cite news |last1=DeYoung |first1=Karen |last2=Hudson |first2=John |date=22 September 2023 |title=U.S. will send Ukraine long-range missiles, after delay |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2023/09/22/atacms-ukraine-cluster-munitions/ |access-date=23 September 2023 |issn=0190-8286}} despite the reservations of some government officials.{{Cite news |last1=Kube |first1=Courtney |last2=Tsirkin |first2=Julie |last3=Alba |first3=Monica |last4=Gutierrez |first4=Gabe |date=22 September 2023 |title=Biden tells Zelenskyy U.S. sending Ukraine ATACMS |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/russia-ukraine-war-atacms-biden-zelenskyy-long-range-missile-rcna116876 |access-date=23 September 2023 |work=NBC News}} The same day, the Ukrainian Main Directorate of Intelligence launched a missile strike on the Black Sea Fleet headquarters in Sevastopol, Crimea, killing several senior military officials.{{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 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/09/22/ukraine-missiles-fleet-headquarters-sevastopol/ |access-date=25 September 2023 |issn=0190-8286}}{{Cite news |last=Kilner |first=James |date=23 September 2023 |title=Russian commanders killed in Storm Shadow missile strike |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/09/23/storm-shadow-black-sea-fleet-crimea-russia-romanchuk-tseko/ |access-date=25 September 2023 |issn=0307-1235}}

In mid-to-late October 2023, Ukrainian marines—partly guided by defecting Russian troops—crossed the Dnipro River (the strategic barrier between eastern and western Ukraine), downstream of the destroyed Kakhovka Dam, to attack the Russian-held territory on the east side of the river. Despite heavy losses due to intense Russian shelling and aerial bombardment, disorganisation, and dwindling resources, Ukrainian brigades invading the Russian-held side of the river continued to inflict heavy casualties on Russian forces well into late December.[https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/6-months-inside-ukraines-special-forces-show-covert-105914584 "Inside Ukraine's covert Center 73, where clandestine missions shape the war,"] 25 December 2023, Associated Press on ABC News, retrieved 26 December 2023[https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/16/world/europe/ukraine-kherson-river-russia.html "Ukrainian Marines on 'Suicide Mission' in Crossing the Dnipro River,"] 16 December 2023, New York Times, retrieved 26 December 2023

On 1 December 2023, Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the Ukrainian counter-offensive was not successful, citing slower than expected results. Zelenskyy also stated that it will be easier for Ukraine to regain the Crimean peninsula than the Donbas region in the east of the country, because the Donbas is heavily militarised and there are frequent pro-Russian sentiments.{{cite news |title=Zelenskyy on liberation: Crimea is waiting, but it will be mentally harder with Donbas |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2023/11/30/7431027/ |work=Ukrainska Pravda}} In December 2023, multiple international media outlets described the Ukrainian counteroffensive as having failed to regain any significant amount of territory or meet any of its strategic objectives.{{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 |website=The Telegraph}}{{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 |website=The New York Times}}{{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}}

{{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 during fighting (2024-01-03) 01.jpg during fighting over the city in January 2024]]

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

On 17 February 2024, Russia captured Avdiivka, a longtime stronghold for Ukraine that had been described as a "gateway" to nearby Donetsk.{{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}}{{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}}{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/17/world/europe/ukraine-avdiivka-withdraw-despair.html |work=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}} ABC News stated that Russia could use the development to boost morale with the war largely at a stalemate close to its second anniversary.{{cite news |work=ABC News |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/russia-tightens-noose-ukraines-city-avdiivka-outnumbered-defenders-107286427 |title=Ukraine withdrawing from Avdiivka, where outnumbered defenders held out for 4 months |date=17 February 2024 |access-date=17 February 2024 |archive-date=17 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240217203056/https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/russia-tightens-noose-ukraines-city-avdiivka-outnumbered-defenders-107286427 |url-status=live}} 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 before seizing the ruins of Avdiivka.{{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}}

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. 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.{{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}}

{{See also|Eastern Ukraine campaign#Russian spring and summer campaign (April 2024–present)}}

{{For-multi|a chronological guide|Timeline of the Russian invasion of Ukraine (1 April – 31 July 2024)|and|Timeline of the Russian invasion of Ukraine (1 August – 31 December 2024)|and|Timeline of the Russian invasion of Ukraine (1 January 2025 – present)}}

{{main|Battle of Ocheretyne|Northern Kharkiv front of the Russo-Ukrainian War}}

File:Vovchansk (2024-06-02) 1604.jpg during the 2024 Kharkiv offensive, June 2024]]

On 10 May 2024, Russia began a renewed offensive in Kharkiv Oblast. Russia managed to capture a dozen villages, and 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.{{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}}{{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}} The White House said on 7 June that the offensive had stalled and was unlikely to advance further.{{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}}

Following the Russian success in the battle of Avdiivka, their forces advanced northwest of it to form a salient, and by mid-April 2024 reached the settlement of Ocheretyne, capturing it in late April{{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}}{{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}} and further expanding the salient in the succeeding months.{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/14/world/europe/ukraine-russia-war-battlefield.html |work=The New York Times |date=14 May 2024 |title=How One Crack in the Line Opened a Path for the Russians |first=Marc |last=Santora}} Russian forces also launched an offensive towards the city of Chasiv Yar in early April,{{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}} a strategically important settlement west of Bakhmut, and by early July had captured its easternmost district.{{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}}{{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}} Another offensive in the direction of the city of Toretsk was launched on 18 June,{{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}} with the goal of capturing the city,{{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}} and according to Ukrainian military observer and spokesperson Nazar Voloshyn, flanking Chasiv Yar from the south.{{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}} Russian forces advanced to expand the salient northwest of Avdiivka in July, and on 19 July, made a breakthrough allowing them to begin advancing towards the operationally significant city of Pokrovsk.{{cite web |work=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}}{{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}}

{{main|Kursk offensive (2024–2025)}}

File:The 80th Air Assault Brigade captured a T-90M Proryv tank in the Kursk region.jpg 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.{{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}} The main axis of the initial advance centred in the direction of the town of Sudzha, located {{convert|10|km}} from the border,{{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}} which was reported by President Zelenskyy to have been captured on 15 August.{{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}} Ukraine, taking advantage of the lack of experienced units and defences along the border with Kursk Oblast, was able to quickly seize territory in the opening days of the incursion.{{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}} The incursion caused Russia to divert thousands of troops from occupied Ukrainian territory to counter the threat,{{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}}{{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}} though not from Donetsk Oblast.

Despite repeated deadlines set by Putin to push out Ukrainian troops, Russian forces had still not yet done so by the end of January 2025, with advances in Donetsk Oblast being prioritized over the Kursk salient. However, by February 2025, Russian forces in Donetsk Oblast were described by the ISW as not being fully protected from the theater-wide impacts of the incursion, with troops, armored vehicles, artillery, and air defense systems being pulled away from Ukrainian sectors to reinforce the Russian forces in Kursk.{{cite web | last=Evans | first=Angelica | title=Ukraine's Kursk Incursion: Six Month Assessment | website=Institute for the Study of War | date=6 February 2025 | url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/ukraine%E2%80%99s-kursk-incursion-six-month-assessment | access-date=27 February 2025}}{{cite web | last1=Coffey| first1=Luke | last2=Kim | first2=Glen | last3=Holland | first3=Brian | last4=Little | first4=Greg | last5=Moore | first5=Tom | last6=Clifford | first6=Paul | last7=Moyer | first7=Brad | last8=Lehman | first8=Rob | title=Renewed Ukrainian Offensive in Kursk | website=Hudson Institute | date=21 January 2025 | url=https://www.hudson.org/defense-strategy/renewed-ukrainian-offensive-kursk-luke-coffey | access-date=27 February 2025}}

{{main|Velyka Novosilka offensive|Battle of Kurakhove|Battle of Toretsk|Pokrovsk offensive|Battle of Chasiv Yar}}

Russian troops continued advancing in eastern Ukraine, notably at a faster pace than prior to the Kursk offensive,{{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}} including towards the strategically important city of Pokrovsk, where their number of forces had instead been increased.{{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}}{{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}}{{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.}}

In late August 2024, Russian forces seized the city of Novohrodivka, southeast of Pokrovsk, bringing them within 8 kilometres of the city, while capturing Krasnohorivka{{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.}} and Ukrainsk, near Pokrovsk and west of Donetsk city, in early September.{{Cite web |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://archive.today/20240918100048/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/18/world/europe/ukraine-russia-strikes.html |archive-date=18 September 2024 |access-date=18 September 2024 |website=The New York Times}} In late September, a Russian assault on the long-held city of Vuhledar began,{{cite web |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}} leading to its fall on 1 October.{{cite web |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}} Ukraine's 72nd Mechanised Brigade had defended the city for over two years, and said that the Russians had suffered "numerous losses" as they stormed the elevated city. Following the Russian capture, the city with a pre-war population of about 14,000 was described as a "sprawling ruin".{{cite web |last=Harding |first=Luke |title=Ukraine says its forces have withdrawn from defensive bastion of Vuhledar |website=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}}

On 30 October, Ukrainian Major General Dmytro Marchenko was reported to have said "our front has crumbled" due to a dwindling ammunition supply, problems with military recruitment, and poor leadership. He said Zelensky's victory plan was too heavily focused on seeking more Western support. Briefings from Western officials had also become more pessimistic about Ukraine's military situation.{{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}}{{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=New York Times |url-access=subscription |date=1 November 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241104173615/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/01/us/politics/russia-ukraine-war.html |archive-date=4 November 2024}} According to the Prosecutor General's Office, more than 100,000 criminal cases for desertion were initiated by the end of November 2024.{{cite news |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}} Russian forces then captured the city of Kurakhove in late December 2024, and the nearby Kurakhove Power Station in January 2025.{{Cite web |date=2024-12-31 |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, December 31, 2024 |url=https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-31-2024 |access-date=2025-04-17 |website=Institute for the Study of War |language=en}}{{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}}

In early 2025, Russian forces advanced in eastern Ukraine,{{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}}{{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}} capturing Velyka Novosilka and most of Toretsk by late January.{{Cite web |date=2025-01-26 |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=2025-04-17 |website=AP News |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2025-02-02 |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 2, 2025 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-february-2-2025 |access-date=2025-04-17 |website=Institute for the Study of War |language=en}} Russia continued attacks on the Ukrainian energy infrastructure.{{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 |date=12 January 2025}} In February 2025, Ukraine's government approved a one-year contract for volunteers aged 18–24 who are currently not subject to mobilization.{{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}}

{{further|Northern front of the Russian invasion of Ukraine|Eastern front of the Russian invasion of Ukraine|Southern front of the Russian invasion of Ukraine|label1=Northern front|label2=Eastern front|label3=Southern front}}

{{further|Russian invasion of Ukraine order of battle}}

File:Meeting with military district commanders (2024-05-15) 14.jpg, Gerasimov, Belousov, Yevkurov and commanders of military districts of Russia on 15 May 2024]]

File:President of Ukraine met with the Ukrainian military in Bakhmut and presented state awards. (52713122299).jpg in December 2022]]

The supreme commanders-in-chief are the heads of state of the respective governments: President Vladimir Putin of Russia and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine. Putin has reportedly meddled in operational decisions, bypassing senior commanders and giving orders directly to brigade commanders.{{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}}

US general Mark Milley wrote in May 2022 that Ukraine's top military commander in the war, commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, "has emerged as the military mind his country needed. His leadership enabled the Ukrainian armed forces to adapt quickly with battlefield initiative against the Russians."{{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 |access-date=10 September 2023}} Russia began the invasion with no overall commander. The commanders of the four military districts were each responsible for their own offensives.

After initial setbacks, the commander of the Russian Southern Military District, Aleksandr Dvornikov, was placed in overall command on 8 April 2022,{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/04/11/europe/ukraine-donbas-battle-russia-cmd-intl/index.html |title=Russia has appointed a new general for Ukraine. Can Moscow reboot its war in time for Putin to claim a victory? |first=Nathan |last=Hodge |date=11 April 2022 |publisher=CNN}} while still responsible for his own campaign. Russian forces benefited from the centralisation of command under Dvornikov,

{{Cite news |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 |work=ABC |access-date=10 October 2023}} but continued failures to meet expectations in Moscow led to multiple changes in overall command:{{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}}

• commander of the Eastern Military District Gennady Zhidko (Eastern Military District, 26{{nbsp}}– 8 May{{nbsp}}October 2022)
• commander of the southern grouping of forces Sergei Surovikin (early October 2022 – 11{{nbsp}}January 2023)
• commander-in-chief of the Russian Armed Forces Valerii Gerasimov (from 11{{nbsp}}January 2023)

Russia has suffered a remarkably large number of casualties in the ranks of its officers, including a number of generals.{{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 |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/russia-suffered-loss-extraordinary-number-generals/story?id=84545931 |access-date=26 June 2023}}

{{main|Aerial warfare in the Russian invasion of Ukraine}}

{{see also|List of aircraft losses during the Russo-Ukrainian War}}

File:Kyiv after Russian shelling, 2022-10-10 (073).webp]]

Aerial warfare began the first day of the invasion. Dozens of missile attacks were recorded across both eastern and western Ukraine, reaching as far west as Lviv.{{Cite news |date=25 February 2022 |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=live |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}}

By September 2022, the Ukrainian air force had shot down about 55 Russian warplanes.{{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}} In mid-October, Russian forces launched missile strikes against Ukrainian infrastructure, intended to knock out energy facilities.{{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 |publisher=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/22/europe/russia-ukraine-war-intl-hnk/index.html |access-date=26 December 2022}} By late November, hundreds of civilians had been killed or wounded in the attacks,{{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}} and rolling blackouts had left millions without power.{{Cite news |title=Ukraine battles to restore power as millions face blackouts |publisher=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}}

In December 2022, drones launched from Ukraine allegedly carried out several attacks on Dyagilevo and Engels air bases in western Russia, killing 10 and heavily damaging two Tu-95 aircraft.{{Cite web |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=english.nv.ua}}

• {{Cite web |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 |publisher=CNBC}}

{{main|Crimea attacks (2022–present)}}

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.{{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}} On 9 August 2022, large explosions were reported at Saky Air Base in western Crimea. Satellite imagery showed at least eight aircraft damaged or destroyed. Initial speculation attributed the explosions to long-range missiles, sabotage by special forces or an accident;{{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}} Ukrainian general Valerii Zaluzhnyi claimed responsibility on 7 September.{{Cite web |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 |website=BBC News}}

The base is near Novofedorivka, a destination popular with tourists. Traffic backed up at the Crimean Bridge after the explosions with queues of civilians trying to leave the area.{{Cite news |last=Galeotti |first=Mark |title=Ukraine's Crimean strike marks a new stage of the war |work=The Spectator |url=https://www.spectator.co.uk/f-the-war |access-date=19 August 2022}} 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.{{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}} On 18 August, explosions were reported at Belbek Air Base north of Sevastopol.{{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}} On the morning of 8 October 2022 the Kerch Bridge, linking occupied Crimea to Russia, partially collapsed due to an explosion.{{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}} On 17 July 2023, there was another large explosion on the bridge.{{Cite web |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 |publisher=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}}

{{Main|Russian strikes against Ukrainian infrastructure (2022–present)|Attacks on civilians in the Russian invasion of Ukraine}}

File:Kyiv after Russian shelling, 2022-10-10 (305).webp in Kyiv after Russian missile strikes on 10 October 2022]]

Since fall of 2022, Russia has carried out waves of strikes on Ukrainian electrical and water systems.{{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}} On 6 October the Ukrainian military reported that 86 Shahed 136 kamikaze drones had been launched by Russian forces in total, and between 30 September and 6 October Ukrainian forces had destroyed 24 out of 46 launched in that period.{{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}} On 8 October, it was announced that General of the Army Sergey Surovikin would be commanding all Russian forces in Ukraine on the strength of his novel air assault technique.{{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=Alarabiya |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}}

On 16 October 2022, The Washington Post reported that Iran was planning to supply Russia with both drones and missiles.{{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/}} On 18 October the US State Department accused Iran of violating Resolution 2231 by selling Shahed 131 and Shahed 136 drones to Russia,{{Cite news |date=18 October 2022 |title=Ukraine war: US says Iranian drones breach sanctions |publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-63294698.amp}} agreeing with similar assessments by France and the United Kingdom. Iran denied sending any arms to Russia for the Ukraine war.{{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 |publisher=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}} On 22 October France, Britain and Germany formally called for a UN investigation.{{Cite news |date=22 October 2022 |title=European countries urge UN probe of Iran drones in Ukraine |publisher=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}} On 1 November, CNN reported that Iran was preparing to send ballistic missiles and other weapons to Russia for use in Ukraine.{{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 |publisher=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/01/politics/iran-missiles-russia/index.html |access-date=29 November 2022}}

On 15 November 2022, Russia fired 85 missiles at the Ukrainian power grid, causing major power outages in Kyiv and neighboring regions.{{cite web |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 |publisher=AlJazeera}}

On 21 November, CNN quoted an intelligence assessment that Iran had begun to help Russia produce Iran-designed drones in Russia.{{Cite news |last=Atwood |first=Kylie |date=21 November 2022 |title=Russia to build attack drones for Ukraine war with the help of Iran, intelligence assessment says |publisher=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/21/politics/russia-iran-drones-intel-assessment/index.html |access-date=29 November 2022}}

On 31 December, Putin in his New Year address called the war against Ukraine a "sacred duty to our ancestors and descendants" as missiles and drones rained down on Kyiv.{{cite web |publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64138731 |title=Ukraine war: New year in Putin's Russia – nothing is normal |date=1 January 2023 |first=Steve |last=Rosenberg}}

• {{Cite news |last1=Kramer |first1=Andrew E. |last2=Troianovski |first2=Anton |date=1 January 2023 |title=Deadly Year in Ukraine Ends With a Big Assault |pages=[https://static01.nyt.com/images/2023/01/01/nytfrontpage/scan.pdf 1] |work=The New York Times |url=https://nytimes.pressreader.com/the-new-york-times/20230101}}

On 10 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 that had previously proved useful against Russia's conventional, non-hypersonic missile systems.{{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}}

The strikes against Ukrainian infrastructure were part of Russia's 'Strategic Operation for the Destruction of Critically Important Targets' (SODCIT) military doctrine, said the UK Defence Ministry, intended to demoralise the population and forcing the Ukrainian leadership to capitulate.{{cite web |publisher=The Kyiv Independent news |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 |website=The Kyiv Independent}} According to the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI),{{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}}

{{blockquote |text=Russian strikes had cumulatively destroyed 9 gigawatts (GW) of Ukraine's domestic power generation by mid-June 2024. Peak consumption during the winter of 2023 was 18 GW, which means that half of Ukraine's production capacity has been destroyed.}}

On 8 July 2024, Russia used a Kh-101 missile{{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 |date=9 July 2024}} to kill at least two people and injure at least 16 people at the Okhmatdyt Children's Hospital in Kyiv.{{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 |date=11 July 2024}}{{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 |date=8 July 2024}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cl4y1pjk2dzo |title=Children's hospital hit as Russian strikes kill dozens in Ukraine |website=www.bbc.com|date=8 July 2024 }} Also hit the same night were facilities in Pokrovsk and Kryvyi Rih.{{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}} At least 20 civilians were killed in Kyiv that night.{{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 |date=8 July 2024}}

{{Main|Naval warfare in the Russian invasion of Ukraine}}

{{See also|List of ship losses during the Russo-Ukrainian War}}

File:Stamp of Ukraine s1985.jpg]]

File:Russian cruiser Moskva.jpg was sunk on 14 April 2022, reportedly after being hit by two Ukrainian Neptune anti-ship missiles.]]

Ukraine lies on the Black Sea, which has ocean access only through the Turkish-held Bosphorus and Dardanelles straits. On 28 February 2022, Turkey invoked the 1936 Montreux Convention and sealed off the straits to Russian warships that were not registered to Black Sea home bases and returning to their ports of origin. It specifically denied passage through the Turkish Straits to four Russian naval vessels.{{Cite news |date=2 March 2022 |title=Russia cancelled Black Sea passage bid of four warships: Turkey |publisher=Al Jazeera |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/3/2/russia-cancelled-black-sea-passage-bid-warships-turkey |access-date=29 March 2022}}

• {{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}}
• {{Cite web |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 |website=Reuters}} On 24 February, the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine announced that Russian Navy ships had begun an attack on Snake Island.{{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}} The guided missile cruiser {{ship|Russian cruiser|Moskva||2}} and patrol boat {{ship|Russian patrol boat|Vasily Bykov||2}} bombarded the island with deck guns.{{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}} The Russian warship identified itself and instructed the Ukrainians on the island to surrender. Their response was "Russian warship, go fuck yourself!"{{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}}
• {{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}}

After the bombardment, a detachment of Russian soldiers landed and took control of Snake Island.{{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}} 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.{{Cite web |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 |publisher=CNN}}

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 by Russian forces.{{Cite news |last=Evans |first=Michael |title=Ukraine scuttles its flagship frigate as the Russians close in |work=The Times |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}}

• {{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}}
• {{Cite news |title=Hetman Sahaidachny frigate, being under repair, flooded not to get to enemy – Reznikov |publisher=Interfax Ukraine |url=https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/806837.html |access-date=4 March 2022}} On 24 March, Ukrainian officials said that a Russian landing ship docked in Berdiansk—initially reported to be the Orsk and then its sister ship, the Saratov—was destroyed by a Ukrainian rocket attack.{{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}} In March 2022, the UN International Maritime Organization (IMO) sought to create a safe sea corridor for commercial vessels to leave Ukrainian ports.{{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}} 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.{{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}}{{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}} Ukraine closed its ports at MARSEC level 3, with sea mines laid in port approaches, pending the end of hostilities.{{Cite web |title=Maritime Security and Safety in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov |url=https://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/HotTopics/Pages/MaritimeSecurityandSafetyintheBlackSeaandSeaofAzov.aspx |access-date=22 May 2022 |website=International Maritime Organization}}{{failed verification|date=June 2024}}

The Russian cruiser Moskva, the flagship of the Black Sea Fleet, was, according to Ukrainian sources and a US senior official,{{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}} hit on 13 April by two Ukrainian Neptune anti-ship cruise missiles, setting the ship afire. The Russian Defence Ministry said the warship had suffered serious damage from a munition explosion caused by a fire, and that its entire crew had been evacuated.{{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}}

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 and refitting in Sevastopol.{{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}} Later the same day, the Russian Ministry of Defence stated that the Moskva had sunk while under tow in rough weather.{{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}} 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 and designed.{{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/}} On 5 May, a US official confirmed that the US gave "a range of intelligence" (including real-time battlefield targeting intelligence){{Cite news |last=Ohanes |first=Gasia |date=14 May 2022 |title=Did US intelligence-sharing with Ukraine cross a line? |publisher=Deutsche Welle |url=https://www.dw.com/en/us-intel-russia-war/a-61794064}} to assist in the sinking of the Moskva.{{Cite news |date=6 May 2022 |title=US intelligence helped Ukraine sink Russia's flagship cruiser Moskva |publisher=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-05-06/us-intelligence-leads-to-ukraine-sinking-russia-moskva-missile/101044452}}

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."{{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}} On 30 June 2022, Russia announced that it had withdrawn its troops from the island in a "gesture of goodwill".{{Cite web |date=30 June 2022 |title=Minoborony ob"yavilo o vyvode voysk s ostrova Zmeinyy |script-title=ru:Минобороны объявило о выводе войск с острова Змеиный |trans-title=The Ministry of Defense announced the withdrawal of troops from Snake Island |url=https://www.rbc.ru/politics/30/06/2022/62bd60f99a794772a54cb7a8 |access-date=1 October 2023 |website=РБК |language=ru}}

• {{Cite news |last=Talmazan |first=Yuliya |date=1 October 2023 |title=All eyes are on the battle for the east. But the south might hold the key to Ukraine's fate. |work=NBC News |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/russia-withdraws-snake-island-ukraine-counteroffensive-south-kherson-rcna35874}} The withdrawal was later confirmed by Ukraine.{{Cite news |last=Talmazan |first=Yuliya |date=30 June 2022 |title=All eyes are on the battle for the east. But the south might hold the key to Ukraine's fate. |publisher=NBC News |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/russia-withdraws-snake-island-ukraine-counteroffensive-south-kherson-rcna35874}}

On 26 December 2023, Ukraine's air force attacked the Russian landing ship Novocherkassk docked in Feodosia. Ukraine said it was destroyed—unlikely to sail again. Russian authorities confirmed the attack, but not the loss, and said two attacking aircraft were destroyed. Independent analysts said the ship's loss could hamper future Russian attacks on Ukraine's coast.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 2023Dorgan, 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 2023Lovett, 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 On 31 January 2024, Ukrainian sea drones struck the Russian Tarantul-class corvette Ivanovets in the Black Sea, causing the ship to sink.{{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}}{{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}} Two weeks later on 14 February, the same type of Ukrainian sea drones struck and sank the Russian landing ship Tsezar Kunikov.{{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}}{{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}}

{{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, 26 February 2022]]

Ukrainian civilians resisted the Russian invasion by volunteering for territorial defence units, making Molotov cocktails, donating food, building barriers like Czech hedgehogs,{{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}} and helping to transport refugees.{{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}} Responding to a call from Ukravtodor, Ukraine's transportation agency, civilians dismantled or altered road signs,{{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}} constructed makeshift barriers, and blocked roadways.{{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}} Social media reports showed spontaneous street protests against Russian forces in occupied settlements, often evolving into verbal altercations and physical standoffs with Russian troops.{{Cite news |last=Hunter |first=Daniel |date=1 March 2022 |title=How Ukrainian Civilians Are Resisting Military Force |work=YES! Magazine |url=https://www.yesmagazine.org/democracy/2022/03/01/ukraine-civilian-resistance |access-date=8 March 2022}} By the beginning of April, Ukrainian civilians began to organise as guerrillas, mostly in the wooded north and east of the country. The Ukrainian military announced plans for a large-scale guerrilla campaign to complement its conventional defence.{{Cite magazine |last=Motyl |first=Alexander J. |date=12 April 2022 |title=Russians Likely to Encounter Growing Guerrilla Warfare in Ukraine |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/04/01/ukraine-russia-war-guerrilla-partisans-civilian-militia/ |magazine=Foreign Policy |access-date=13 April 2022}}

People physically blocked Russian military vehicles, sometimes forcing them to retreat.

{{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}}

• {{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}} The Russian soldiers' response to unarmed civilian resistance varied from reluctance to engage the protesters, to firing into the air, to firing directly into crowds.{{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}} There have been mass detentions of Ukrainian protesters, and Ukrainian media has reported forced disappearances, mock executions, hostage-taking, extrajudicial killings, and sexual violence perpetrated by the Russian military.{{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}} To facilitate Ukrainian attacks, civilians reported Russian military positions via a Telegram chatbot and Diia, a Ukrainian government app previously used by citizens to upload official identity and medical documents. 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.{{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 |url-access=subscription}}

As of 21 May 2022, Zelenskyy indicated that Ukraine had 700,000 service members on active duty fighting the Russian invasion.{{Cite news |date=21 May 2022 |title=Zelensky: 700,000 soldiers defending Ukraine now. |work=The Kyiv Independent |url=https://kyivindependent.com/uncategorized/zelensky-700000-soldiers-defending-ukraine-now/ |access-date=2 June 2022}} Ukraine withdrew soldiers and military equipment back to Ukraine over the course of 2022 that had been deployed to United Nations peacekeeping missions like MONUSCO in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.{{Cite news |last=Cyuzuzo |first=Samba |date=18 September 2022 |title=Ukraine troops leave DR Congo peacekeeping mission Monusco |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-62945971 |access-date=26 September 2022}}

{{Main|Foreign involvement in the Russian invasion of Ukraine}}

{{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

In response to the invasion, many countries have supplied military aid to Ukraine including weaponry, equipment, training, and logistical support. Western and other countries 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;

{{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}}

• {{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}}{{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}} sanctions targeted individuals, banks, businesses, monetary exchanges, exports, and imports.

File:Fumio Kishida at the issuance of the Joint Declaration on Assistance to Ukraine at the 2023 NATO Summit (3).jpg and Western leaders at the 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.{{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}} From January 2022 to January 2024, $380 billion in aid to Ukraine was tracked by the Kiel Institute.{{cite news |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}} European countries have provided the most aid in total (military, financial and humanitarian).{{cite news |date=21 September 2023 |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}} Estonia and Denmark have provided the most military aid as a share of GDP. The European Union co-ordinated the supply of military aid for the first time.{{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}} Meanwhile, the United States has provided the most military assistance to Ukraine, and has set aside $175 billion to help the country.{{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}} Most of the US military aid has been old American weaponry and equipment from reserve stockpiles, while most of the US funding earmarked for Ukraine stays in the US economy and supports US industries, subsidizing the manufacture of weapons and military equipment.{{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 |date=16 July 2024}} Bulgaria supplied Ukraine with over one third of the ammunition needed in the early phase of the invasion and a plurality of needed fuel.{{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}}

Although India has maintained a neutral stance on the invasion,{{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}} 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.{{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}}

Most of Ukraine's supporters ruled out sending troops to the country in the early months of the invasion.{{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}} President Emmanuel Macron of France later said in 2024 that sending troops was a possibility.{{cite web |work=The New York Times |date=26 February 2024 |title=Macron Does Not Rule Out Sending Western Troops to Ukraine |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/26/world/europe/europe-ukraine-support-meeting.html |first1=Constant |last1=Méheut |first2=Aurelien |last2=Breeden}}

The Russian government has threatened retaliation against countries supplying military aid to Ukraine, and said it meant NATO was waging a proxy war against Russia.{{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}} According to the Atlantic Council's Peter Dickinson, Russia's government has not followed through on its threats, despite most of its "red lines" being crossed.{{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}} President Putin said that if military aid stopped, Ukraine would not survive for long.{{cite news |title=Putin says Ukraine would last 'a week' if Western military support stops |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/6/putin-says-ukraine-would-last-a-week-if-western-military-support-stops |work=Al Jazeera English |date=6 October 2023 |access-date=21 February 2024 |archive-date=16 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240216024122/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/6/putin-says-ukraine-would-last-a-week-if-western-military-support-stops |url-status=live}}

[[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}}]]

{{See also|Belarusian involvement in the Russian invasion of Ukraine}}

Belarus has allowed Russia to use its territory to stage part of the invasion, and to launch Russian missiles into Ukraine.{{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}} Belarus airspace was used by Russia, including for radar early warning and control missions, until 2023, when a Russian Beriev A-50 surveillance plane was damaged by drones.{{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}} Because of its active involvement, Belarus is considered a co-belligerent{{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}}{{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}} in this invasion, as contrasted to non-belligerent states, which have "a wide range of tools available to non-belligerent actors without reaching the threshold of warfighting".{{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 |url=https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4048994}} Political scientist Matthew Frear considers Belarus a co-combatant, with "Lukashenko repeatedly stated his support for Putin's military actions",{{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 |pages=195 |language=en}} while 2023 issue of IISS's "Armed Conflict Survey" journal classified it as not a direct co-combatant.{{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 ...}} 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.{{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 |pages=82 |language=en}}

{{See also|Iran and the Russian invasion of Ukraine}}

In June 2023, US military intelligence suggested Iran was providing both Shahed combat drones and production materials to develop a drone manufactory to Russia.

{{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}} In February 2024, a Reuters report indicated that Iran sent ballistic missiles to the Russian military.{{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}} 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.{{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}}{{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}} The Institute for the Study of War assessed that these are likely Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) or IRGC-affiliated personnel.{{Cite web |last1=Hird |first1=Karolina |last2=Bailey |first2=Riley |last3=Mappes |first3=Grace |last4=Barros |first4=George |last5=Kagan |first5=Frederick W. |date=12 October 2022 |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, October 12 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-october-12 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240114103621/https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-october-12 |archive-date=14 January 2024 |access-date=22 November 2024 |publisher=Institute for the Study of War}} Iran has denied sending arms to Russia for use against Ukraine.

{{See also|North Korean involvement in the Russian invasion of Ukraine}}

{{Summarize section|date=January 2025}}

North Korea has supplied Russia with ballistic missiles and launchers although US authorities did not mention the specific models. Based on debris left by missiles on 30 December 2023 attacks against Ukrainian targets show parts common to KN-23, KN-24 and KN-25 missiles.{{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}}{{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=RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty}} In October 2024, Ukraine and South Korea claimed that North Korean engineers had been deployed to the battlefield to help with the launch of these missiles, and had suffered some casualties.{{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 |website=The Guardian}}{{cite web |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 |website=Politico}}{{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}}

Later the same month, a White House spokesperson said that the United States was "concerned" about reports that North Korean soldiers were fighting for Russia in Ukraine.{{cite web |date=15 October 2024 |title=US concerned by reports of North Korean soldiers fighting for Russia |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/us-concerned-by-reports-north-korean-soldiers-fighting-russia-2024-10-15/ |access-date=16 October 2024 |website=Reuters}}{{cite web |date=16 October 2024 |title=North Korean soldiers are training to fight for Russia, Ukraine says |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/us-concerned-reports-north-korean-soldiers-fighting-for-russia-ukraine-rcna175640 |access-date=16 October 2024 |website=NBC News}}{{cite web |last=McCurry |first=Justin |date=16 October 2024 |title=North Korean troops for Russia's war in Ukraine: what we know so far |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/16/north-korean-troops-for-russias-war-in-ukraine-what-we-know-so-far |access-date=16 October 2024 |website=The Guardian}} A day later, Zelensky announced that Ukrainian intelligence believed there were 10,000 North Korean troops preparing to join Russian forces on the front line.{{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}} The North Korean government rejected these claims and stated that none of their soldiers were fighting for Russia.{{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}}"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"."{{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}}{{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}}

The US later said it had seen evidence that North Korea had sent 3,000 soldiers to Russia for possible deployment to Ukraine, determining that the soldiers had been transported from North Korea by ship in early-to-mid October and were undergoing training at three military bases in eastern Russia. The US added that the alleged North Korean deployment could be further evidence that the Russian military was having problems with manpower.{{cite web |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 |website=Reuters}} 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 2024 Kursk Offensive, and the Pentagon reported an increased number of 10,000 North Korean soldiers sent to train in Russia and fight in the war.{{cite web |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 |website=The Guardian}}{{cite web |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 |website=Reuters}}{{cite web |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 |website=Al Jazeera}}

File:Andrei Belousov and No Kwang-chol, 2024.jpg with North Korean Defence Minister No Kwang-chol on 29 November 2024]]

On 7 November, the Ukrainian defence minister reported that North Korean troops had been engaged in battle on 5 November.{{cite web |date=7 November 2024 |title=North Korean Soldiers Fighting in Kursk |url=https://fu.kyivpost.com/post/41862 |access-date=7 December 2024 |publisher=Kyiv Post}} On 13 November, both the US State Department and South Korea confirmed that North Korean troops had begun engaging in combat against Ukrainian forces in Kursk Oblast.{{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/ |access-date=14 November 2024 |website=Radio Free Asia}}{{cite web |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 |website=Reuters}}{{cite web |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 |access-date=16 November 2024 |website=NBC News}} The Pentagon could not confirm the claims.{{cite web |last=Vergun |first=David |date=18 November 2024 |title=North Korean Troops Enter Kursk Where Ukrainians Are Fighting |url=https://www.defense.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}} On 24 November, the Ukrainian chief of general staff confirmed that North Korean troops have been engaged in battle.{{cite web |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}} On 2 December the Pentagon stated that it has no evidence of North Korean troops engaged in combat, but noted that North Korean soldiers had been integrated into Russian units.{{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}} A representative of the Ukrainian intelligence directorate confirmed that North Korean troops have been integrated into Russian units held in reserve but said that North Korean troops are unlikely to be engaged in combat on the front line and are still engaged in training. The presence of North Korean troops in Kursk is seen as enabling Russia in its fight against Ukraine.{{cite web |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 |publisher=Kyiv Post}} On 16 December, the US confirmed that North Korean troops had been killed and injured in combat in Russia's Kursk oblast.{{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}} By 18 December, the number of killed and wounded North Korean soldiers had reportedly reached "a couple hundred",{{Cite web |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 |website=AP News}} while South Korea reported 100 North Koreans dead and 1000 injured.{{Cite web |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 |website=www.bbc.com |date=19 December 2024}} Writing in December 2024 for the Lieber Institute's Articles of War publication, US Army JAG officers Steve Szymanski and Joshua C.T. Keruski stated that North Korea had become a party to an international armed conflict with Ukraine as of the 5 November 2024 engagement.{{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/ |access-date=8 January 2025}}

Zelenskyy also showcased footage which he said showed Russian troops burning the faces of killed North Korean soldiers in an attempt to conceal their presence on the battlefield.{{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}}{{cite web |title=Ukraine reports North Korean losses on Russia's Kursk front |website=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}}{{cite web |last=Psaropoulos |first=John T |title=North Koreans are 'disciplined', armed with high-quality ammo, says Ukraine |website=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}}{{cite web |last=Melkozerova |first=Veronika |title=Suicide and soap operas: North Koreans react to being Ukrainian POWs |website=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}}

In January 2025 two North Korean servicemen were taken prisoner while fighting in Kursk Oblast. Intelligence debriefings indicate that North Korean soldiers have been issued with false military papers stating that they are Russians hailing from Tuva.{{cite web |last=Harding |first=Luke |title=Suicides, new tactics and propaganda iPads: details from captured North Koreans expose new foe in Ukraine |website=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}}

In March 2025, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said that North Korea had sent an additional 3,000 soldiers to support Russia in the war on Ukraine.{{cite web | last=Harvey | first=Lex | title=North Korea has sent 3,000 more soldiers to bolster Russia’s war on Ukraine, South Korea says | website=CNN | date=2025-03-27 | url=https://edition.cnn.com/2025/03/27/europe/north-korea-russia-ukraine-soldiers-intl-hnk/index.html#:~:text=The%20reinforcements%2C%20sent%20in%20January,in%20combat%2C%20according%20to%20Seoul | access-date=2025-04-22}}

{{See also|China and the Russian invasion of Ukraine|India and the Russian invasion of Ukraine}}

File:2024 BRICS Summit (1729758533).jpg at the 16th BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia. Most of the Global South countries took a neutral position towards the war and maintained good relations with Russia.{{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}}]]

Politico reported in March 2023 that Chinese state-owned weapons manufacturer Norinco shipped assault rifles, drone parts, and body armor to Russia between June and December 2022, with some shipments via third countries including Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.{{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}} According to the United States, Chinese ammunition has been used on battlefields in Ukraine.{{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}} In May 2023, the European Union identified that Chinese and UAE firms were supplying weapon components to Russia.{{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}} In April 2024, China was reported to have provided Russia with geospatial intelligence, machine tools for tanks, and propellants for missiles.{{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}} In September 2024, Reuters reported documents indicating Russia had established a weapons programme in China to develop and produce long-range attack drones, with assistance from local specialists, for use in the invasion of Ukraine.{{cite web |title=Exclusive: Russia has secret war drones project in China, intel sources say |website=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}}

Russia imports sensitive electronics, machinery, auto parts, and defence equipment from India.{{Cite web |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 |website=CNN}} 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.{{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}}{{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 |website=FT News}}

{{Further|Casualties of the Russo-Ukrainian War#Russian invasion of Ukraine (2022–present)|List of deaths during the Russian invasion of Ukraine}}

File:Συνάντηση με ΥΠΕΞ Ουκρανίας D. Kuleba - Επίσκεψη σε Μνημείο πεσόντων υπερασπιστών Ουκρανίας - 52439597854.jpg

File:Українські захисники розгромили ворожу БТГ на Донеччині за кілька годин 09.jpg marked armored vehicle]]

File:Російські війська убили дітей в Охтирці.jpg, causing about 50 people to be hospitalised]]

Russian and Ukrainian sources have been said to inflate casualty numbers for opposing forces and downplay their own losses for morale.{{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 |date=1 February 2023 |first=Lily |last=Hamourtziadou}} 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."{{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}} Russian news outlets have largely stopped reporting the Russian death toll.{{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 |access-date=21 March 2022}}

• {{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}} Russia and Ukraine have admitted suffering "significant"{{Cite news |date=8 April 2022 |title=Russia admits 'significant losses of troops' in Ukraine |work=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}} and "considerable" losses, respectively.{{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}}{{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 |publisher=BBC |access-date=17 September 2023}}

The numbers of civilian and military deaths have been impossible to determine precisely.

{{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}}

• {{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."}} 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.{{Cite news |date=13 April 2022 |title=Ukraine conflict death toll: what we know |publisher=Agence France-Presse republished in France 24 |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220413-ukraine-conflict-death-toll-what-we-know |access-date=20 April 2022}} In October 2022, the independent Russian media project iStories, citing sources close to the Kremlin, reported that more than 90,000 Russian soldiers had been killed, seriously wounded, or gone missing.{{Cite news |date=12 October 2022 |title=Russia's 'irrecoverable losses' in Ukraine: more than 90,000 troops dead, disabled, or AWOL |work=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}}

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 Minister of Defence told CNN that tens of thousands of Ukrainians had died, and he hoped the death toll was below 100,000.

{{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}} By July 2024, about 20,000 Ukrainians had lost limbs.{{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}} In the destroyed city of Mariupol, Ukrainian officials believe at least 25,000 have been killed,{{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}}{{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}} and bodies were still being discovered in September 2022.{{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}} 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 with them when they entered the city.{{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}}{{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.}}{{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}} An investigation by AP from the end of 2022 estimated up to 75,000 killed civilians in the Mariupol area alone.{{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}}{{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}} 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".{{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}} There were at least 8,000 excess deaths in Mariupol between March 2022-February 2023.Human Rights Watch/SITU/Truth Hounds, [https://www.hrw.org/feature/russia-ukraine-war-mariupol/report "Our City Was Gone" Russia's Devastation of Mariupol, Ukraine], p. 147: "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." The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) reports similar issues and believed the true civilian casualty numbers were significantly higher than it has been able to confirm.{{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}}

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.{{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}}{{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}}{{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}}{{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}}{{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}} About 1,200 Russian soldiers were killed or wounded in Ukraine every day in May-June 2024,{{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}} which climbed to 1,500 by November 2024, when 45,690 casualties were estimated that month.{{cite news |title=Russia is suffering record casualties as the West steps up support for Ukraine, and it may struggle to replace them |author=Tom 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}} 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).{{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}} Latvia-based news outlet Meduza estimated that up to 140,000 Russian soldiers had died by July 2024.{{cite Q|Q127245770}}

The Russian invasion became the deadliest European war in the last 80 years,{{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}} surpassing the Bosnian War.{{sfn|Wallensteen|2023|p=348}} Ukrainian average mortality rate was 8.7/1000 people in 2020,{{cite web |title=Annual death rate from all causes, 1980 to 2021 — Ukraine |url=https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/age-standardized-deaths-from-all-causes?tab=chart&country=~UKR |work=Our World in Data |access-date=13 October 2024}} and jumped to 18.6 in 2024, whereas Russia's mortality rate was 14/1000, ranking them as #1 and #9, of countries with the highest mortality rates.{{cite web |title=Country Comparisons — Death rate |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/field/death-rate/country-comparison/ |work=The World Factbook |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240913084439/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/field/death-rate/country-comparison/ |access-date=13 October 2024 |archive-date=13 September 2024}} In August 2024, Haaretz estimated 172,000 people had died in the Russian invasion.{{cite news |title=The Numbers Show: Gaza War Is One of the Bloodiest in the 21st Century |author=Nir Hasson |date=14 August 2024 |work=Haaretz |url=https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/palestinians/2024-08-14/ty-article-magazine/.premium/the-death-toll-in-gaza-is-bad-even-compared-to-the-wars-in-ukraine-iraq-and-myanmar/00000191-50c6-d6a2-a7dd-d1decf340000 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240814234839/https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/palestinians/2024-08-14/ty-article-magazine/.premium/the-death-toll-in-gaza-is-bad-even-compared-to-the-wars-in-ukraine-iraq-and-myanmar/00000191-50c6-d6a2-a7dd-d1decf340000 |archive-date=14 August 2024}} In February 2025, Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft estimated 250,000 dead.{{cite web| title=The Ukraine War After Three Years: Roads Not Taken |author=Marcus 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/#}} In September 2024, the Wall Street Journal reported that there were now one million Ukrainians and Russians who were killed or wounded;{{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}} it noted how the number of casualties impacts the countries' shrinking prewar populations.

{{main|War crimes in the Russian invasion of Ukraine|Attacks on civilians in the Russian invasion of Ukraine|Russian war crimes}}

File:Bucha after Russian occupation (06).jpg]]

During the invasion, the Russian military and authorities have been responsible for deliberate attacks against civilian targets{{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}}

• {{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}} (including strikes on hospitals and on the energy grid), massacres of civilians, abduction and torture of civilians, sexual violence,{{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}}
• {{Cite web |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 |website=CNBC |date=28 October 2022}} forced deportation of civilians, and torture and murder of Ukrainian prisoners of war. They have also carried out many indiscriminate attacks in densely populated areas, including with cluster bombs, in once instance killing 61 people in the Kramatorsk railway station attack.{{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}}{{Cite web |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 |website=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}}{{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}}{{cite web | title=Deadliest civilian attacks in Russia's invasion of Ukraine | publisher=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}} According to Kyrylo Budanov, the chief of the Ukrainian intelligence, Russia before the start of the invasion of Ukraine had created 'execution lists' of Ukrainian teachers, journalists, scientists, writers, priests, politicians and was preparing for a genocide of Ukrainians, also the plans included locations of mass graves and mobile crematoriums.{{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}}

According to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, by December 2023, about 78% of confirmed civilian casualties had been killed in Ukrainian-controlled territory, while 21% had been killed in Russian-occupied territory.{{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. Over 12,300 civilians have been killed since the start of the invasion.{{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}} Russia has deliberately targeted Ukrainian civilians with drones, such as in the Kherson terror campaign dubbed the human safari.{{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}}{{cite web | last=Limaye | first=Yogita | title=Drone strikes on civilians suggest new Russian terror tactic in Ukraine | website=BBC | date=31 October 2024 | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c207gz7key6o | access-date=6 February 2025}}{{cite news | last1=Horton | first1=Alex | last2=Korolchuk | first2=Serhii | title=Russian drones hunt civilians in streets of southern Ukrainian city | newspaper=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}} A representative from the Kherson military administration said nearly half of the 547 casualties reported from 1 July to 9 September 2024 were caused by drones.{{cite web | last=Zabrisky | first=Zarina | title='Human safari' – Kherson civilians hunted down by Russian drones | website=Yahoo News | date=2 October 2024 | url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/human-safari-kherson-civilians-hunted-170731464.html | access-date=29 October 2024}}

The UN Human Rights Office reports that Russia is committing severe human rights violations in occupied Ukraine, including arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, torture, crackdown on protests and freedom of speech, enforced Russification, indoctrination of children, and suppression of Ukrainian language and culture.{{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}} Ukrainians have been coerced into taking Russian passports and becoming Russian citizens. Those who refuse are denied healthcare and other rights, and can be imprisoned as a "foreign citizen". Ukrainian men who take Russian citizenship are drafted to fight against the Ukrainian army.{{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}}

Russian forces have reportedly used banned chemical weapons during the war, usually tear gas grenades.{{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}}{{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}} In April 2024, a Daily Telegraph investigation concluded that "Russian troops are carrying out a systematic campaign of illegal chemical attacks against Ukrainian soldiers".{{cite web |title=Russia carrying out illegal chemical attacks on Ukrainian soldiers |website=The Telegraph |date=6 April 2024 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/04/06/russia-using-illegal-chemical-attacks-against-ukraine/ |access-date=7 April 2024}}

{{Main|Prisoners of war in the Russian invasion of Ukraine}}

A 25 August 2022 report by the Humanitarian Research Lab of the Yale School of Public Health identified some 21 filtration camps for Ukrainian "civilians, POWs, and other personnel" in the vicinity of Donetsk oblast. Imaging of one camp, Olenivka prison, found two sites featuring disturbed earth consistent with "potential graves".{{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}} 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 physical assault.

An OHCHR report released in November 2022 documented abuses on both sides. The report was based on interviews with prisoners who spoke of abuses and ill-treatment.{{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}}

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, including ″welcoming beatings″ on their arrival in penitentiary facilities, which Russia despite several requests did not give UN staff access to.{{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}}

In April 2023, several videos started circulating on different websites purportedly showing Russian soldiers beheading Ukrainian soldiers.{{Cite web |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 |publisher=AP News}}

• {{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}}
• {{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}}{{Cite news |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}}

• {{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}}

In March 2024, the United Nations issued a report saying Russia may have executed more than 30 recently captured Ukrainian prisoners of war over the winter months. 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 prisoners of war also "disclosed that they had been subjected to sexual violence during their internment, including attempted rape, threats of rape and castration, beatings or the administration of electric shocks to genitals, and repeated forced nudity, including during interrogations and to check for tattoos".{{cite web |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 |website=POLITICO}}

In October 2024, the EEAS released a statement describing the 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 also included the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)'s confirmation of systematic use of a wide range of different methods of torture used by Russians against Ukrainian prisoners.{{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}}

The Ukrainian Armed Forces have also been accused of executions and other abuses of Russian prisoners of war, but the number of such allegations has been significantly lower.{{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}}{{rp|at=para. 105}}{{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}}{{cite web |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 |website=The New York Times |date=6 July 2024 |access-date=4 March 2025}}{{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 |page=14-15}}

{{main|Child abductions in the Russo-Ukrainian War}}

In June 2024, an investigation by the Financial Times identified four Ukrainian children on a Russian government-linked adoption website that 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 age that differed from their Ukrainian documents, another was shown using a Russian version of their Ukrainian name. 17 other matches identified by the Financial Times on the adoption website were also confirmed as Ukrainian children in a recent 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.{{cite news |title=FT investigation finds Ukrainian children on Russian adoption sites |website=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}}{{cite web |title=US aware of 'credible' reports Russia is listing Ukrainian children for adoption, White House says |website=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}}

In March 2025, the ISW said that by the time the invasion started, Russia had already laid the groundwork for massive deportation of Ukrainian children, with Putin recognizing depriving Ukraine of its multigenerational potential a way to dominate the Ukrainian people. ISW cited Kremlin documents uncovered by Ukrainian human rights activists dated 18 February 2022, describing plans to move Ukrainian children from orphanages in occupied Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts to Russia under ″humanitarian evacuations″, particularly planning to target vulnerable children without parental care.

In the years following the invasion, Russia has embarked on a deeply institutionalized project to abduct and forcibly give Ukrainian children a Russian identity. International law explicitly forbids this kind of forcible transfer of children, and constituent moving children for the purpose of damaging a national or ethnic group as an act of genocide.{{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=17 April 2025}}

{{Further information|International Criminal Court arrest warrants for Russian leaders}}

File:Vladimir Putin in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia on September 3, 2024 (3).jpg standing in front of the statue of Genghis Khan in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, 3 September 2024. Mongolia was the first ICC member state to openly defy the court's arrest warrant for Putin]]

The International Criminal Court (ICC) opened an investigation into possible crimes against humanity, genocide and war crimes committed in Ukraine.{{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}}

• {{Cite web |title=Ukraine |url=https://www.icc-cpi.int/ukraine |access-date=11 February 2023 |website=International Criminal Court}} On 17 March 2023, the ICC issued a warrant for Putin's arrest, charging him with individual criminal responsibility in the abduction of children forcibly deported to Russia.{{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}}
• {{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}}
• {{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}}
• {{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}}
• {{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}}
• {{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://archive.today/20230317212759/https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-europe-64994087 |archive-date=17 March 2023}} It was the first time that the ICC had issued an arrest warrant for the head of state of a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (the world's five principal nuclear powers).{{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}} Moscow has denied any involvement in war crimes, a response Vittorio Bufacchi of University College Cork says "has bordered on the farcical",{{cite journal |first1=Vittorio |last1=Bufacchi |title=War crimes in Ukraine: is Putin responsible? |pages=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}} and its contention that the images coming out of Bucha were fabricated "a disingenuous response born by delusional hubris, post-truth on overdrive, (that) does not merit to be taken seriously." Even the usually fractured United States Senate came together to call Putin a war criminal.{{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}}

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 deliberate starvation of Ukrainians by Soviets the Holodomor still looms large in public memory.{{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}} Forcible deportation of populations, such as took place in Mariupol, is another area of focus, since,{{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}}

{{blockquote |text=forced deportations and transfers are defined both as war crimes under the Fourth Geneva Convention and Protocol II and Article 8 of the Rome Statute—and as crimes against humanity—under Article 7 of the Rome Statute. As both war crimes and crimes against humanity, they have several mechanisms for individual accountability, the International Criminal Court and also, at the individual state level, universal jurisdiction and Magnitsky sanctions legislation.}}

The ICC also issued arrest warrants for military officials Sergey Kobylash, Viktor Sokolov, Sergei Shoigu and Valery Gerasimov.{{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 |publisher=International Criminal Court |date=5 March 2024 |access-date=5 March 2024}}{{cite web |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}}

{{main|Humanitarian impacts of the Russian invasion of Ukraine}}

{{further|2022–2023 global food crises}}

The humanitarian impact of the invasion has been extensive and has included negative impacts on international food supplies and the 2022 food crises.{{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 |publisher=ABC |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}} An estimated 6.6 million Ukrainians were internally displaced by August 2022, and about the same number were refugees in other countries.{{cite web |url=https://www.axios.com/2022/02/26/ukraine-refugees-russian-invasion |title=Nearly a third of Ukraine's population has been displaced since war begain |publisher=Axios |date=24 August 2022 |first1=Erin |last1=Doherty |first2=Ivana |last2=Saric |access-date=17 September 2023}} The invasion has devastated the cultural heritage of Ukraine,{{Cite news |last=Mullins |first=Charlotte |date=27 May 2022 |title='Ukraine's heritage is under direct attack': why Russia is looting the country's museums |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2022/may/27/ukraine-russia-looting-museums |access-date=2 June 2022}} with over 500 Ukrainian cultural heritage sites, including cultural centres, theatres, museums, and churches, affected by "Russian aggression". Ukraine's Minister of Culture Oleksandr Tkachenko called it cultural genocide.{{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}} Deliberate destruction and looting of Ukrainian cultural heritage sites in this way is considered a war crime.{{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}}

The Russian attacks on civilians, causing mass civilian casualties and displacement, have been characterised as genocide and democide.{{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}}{{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}} On 15 September 2023, a UN-mandated investigative body presented their findings that Russian occupiers had tortured Ukrainians so brutally that some of their victims died, and forced families to listen as they raped women next door.{{cite news |last=Farge |first=Emma |title=Russia tortured some Ukrainian victims to death, UN inquiry says |work=Reuters |date=25 September 2023 |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-tortured-some-ukrainian-victims-death-un-inquiry-says-2023-09-25/ |access-date=26 September 2023}} The commission has previously said that violations committed by Russian forces in Ukraine, including the use of torture, may constitute crimes against humanity.{{cite news |author1=Gabrielle Tétrault-Farber |author2=Emma Farge |title=UN inquiry finds |work=Reuters |date=16 March 2023 |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}}

A report by Physicians for Human Rights described Russian violence against the Ukrainian health care system as being a prominent feature of Russia's conduct during the war, documenting 707 attacks on Ukraine's health care system between 24 February and 31 December 2022. Such attacks are considered war crimes.{{cite web |title=Destruction and Devastation: One Year of Russia's Assault on Ukraine's Health Care System |website=PHR |date=7 August 2023 |url=https://phr.org/our-work/resources/russias-assault-on-ukraines-health-care-system/ |access-date=17 December 2023}}

{{Main|Ukrainian refugee crisis|Transnational repression by Russia}}

{{Summarize section|date=January 2025}}

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

File:We Stand with Ukraine protest in Helsinki, Finland, 2022 February - 03.jpg, organised by political youth organisations in Helsinki, Finland, 26 February 2022]]

The war has caused the largest refugee and humanitarian crisis in Europe since the Yugoslav Wars in the 1990s;{{Cite web |last=Rutter |first=Jill |date=7 March 2022 |title=Protecting Ukrainian refugees: What can we learn from the response to Kosovo in the 90s? |url=https://www.britishfuture.org/protecting-ukrainian-refugees-what-can-we-learn-from-kosovo/ |access-date=29 March 2022 |website=British Future}}{{Cite web |date=4 March 2022 |title=IntelBrief: China Seeks to Balance Its Interests as Russia's War on Ukraine Intensifies |url=https://thesoufancenter.org/intelbrief-2022-march-4/ |access-date=29 March 2022 |website=The Soufan Center |quote=Over a week into the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the war has raged on, spurring the most serious humanitarian crisis in Europe since the wars in the Balkans in the 1990s.}} the UN described it as the fastest growing such crisis since World War II.{{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}} As Russia built up military forces along the Ukrainian border, many neighbouring governments and aid organisations prepared for a mass displacement event in the weeks before the invasion. In December 2021, the Ukrainian defence minister estimated that an invasion could force three to five million people to flee their homes.{{Cite magazine |last=Aguilera |first=Jasmine |date=25 February 2022 |title=Russia's Invasion of Ukraine May Trigger a Refugee Crisis. Here's How the World Is Preparing |url=https://time.com/6150856/ukraine-refugees-russia-invasion-preparation/ |url-status=live |magazine=Time |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220226/https://time.com/6150856/ukraine-refugees-russia-invasion-preparation/ |archive-date=26 February 2022 |access-date=25 February 2022}}

In the first week of the invasion, the UN reported over a million refugees had fled Ukraine; this subsequently reached over eight million by 31 January 2023.{{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}}{{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}} On 20 May 2022, NPR reported that, following a significant influx of foreign military equipment into Ukraine, a significant number of refugees were seeking to return to regions in Ukraine which were relatively isolated from the invasion front in southeastern Ukraine.{{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}} By 3 May, another 8 million people were displaced inside Ukraine.{{Cite web |title=Ukraine |url=https://www.internal-displacement.org/countries/ukraine |access-date=15 May 2022 |website=IDMC}}

Most refugees were women, children, elderly, or disabled.{{Cite news |date=26 February 2022 |title=Refugees flee Ukraine for the EU, men told to stay and fight |work=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}}

• {{Cite news |last=Michaels |first=Samantha |date=7 March 2022 |title=More Than 1.5 Million Refugees Have Fled Ukraine |work=Mother Jones |url=https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2022/03/refugees-fleeing-ukraine-russian-invasion/ |access-date=10 March 2022}} Most male Ukrainian nationals aged 18 to 60 were denied exit from Ukraine as part of mandatory conscription,{{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}}
• {{Cite news |date=8 March 2022 |title=Why banning men from leaving Ukraine violates their human rights |work=The Conversation |url=https://theconversation.com/why-banning-men-from-leaving-ukraine-violates-their-human-rights-178411}} unless they were responsible for the financial support of three or more children, single fathers, or were the parent/guardian of children with disabilities.{{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}} Many Ukrainian men, including teenagers, opted to remain in Ukraine voluntarily to join the resistance.{{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}}
• {{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}}

According to the UN High Commission for Refugees as of 13 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. By 13 July 2022, over {{formatnum:390000}} Ukrainian refugees had arrived in the Czech Republic, where the average refugee was a woman accompanied by one child. These refugees were twice as likely to have a college degree as the Czech population as a whole.{{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}} Turkey has been another significant destination, registering more than 58,000 Ukrainian refugees as of 22 March 2022.{{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}} The EU invoked the Temporary Protection Directive for the first time in its history, granting Ukrainian refugees the right to live and work in the EU for up to three years.{{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}} Britain has accepted 146,379 refugees, as well as extending the ability to remain in the UK for three years with broadly similar entitlements as the EU, three years residency and access to state welfare and services.{{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}}

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.{{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}}

• {{Cite news |last=Subramaniam |first=Tara |title=Russia's war in Ukraine |work=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/russia-ukraine-war-news-10-19-22/index.html |access-date=19 October 2022}} The OSCE and Ukraine have accused Russia of forcibly moving civilians to filtration camps in Russian-held territory, and then into Russia. Ukrainian sources have compared this policy to Soviet-era population transfers and Russian actions in the Chechen War of Independence.{{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}}
• {{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}} For instance, as of 8 April 2022, Russia claimed to have evacuated about 121,000 Mariupol residents to Russia. Also, on 19 October, Russia announced the forced deportation of 60,000 civilians from areas around the line of contact in Kherson oblast.{{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}} RIA Novosti and Ukrainian officials said that thousands were dispatched to various centres in cities in Russia and Russian-occupied Ukraine,{{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}}
• {{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 |date=18 April 2022 |access-date=20 April 2022}}
• {{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}}
• {{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}}
• {{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=TSN |date=17 April 2022 |access-date=20 April 2022}}
• {{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}}
• {{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}}
• {{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}}
• {{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}} from which people were sent to economically depressed regions of Russia.{{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 |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}} In April, Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council secretary Oleksiy Danilov said that Russia planned to build "concentration camps" for Ukrainians in western Siberia, and likely planned to force prisoners to build new cities in Siberia.{{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}}

^{{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}}{{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.{{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}}}}

File:MALTESER Ukrainehilfe (51926526000).jpg entering Romania, 5 March 2022]]

Both Russia and Ukraine faced the prospect of significant population decline even before the war, having among the lowest fertility rates worldwide and considerable emigration. It is the first time that two countries with an average age above 40 have gone to war against each other.{{cite news |last1=Margolina |first1=Sonja |title=Nur wer fällt, hat richtig gelebt – Russlands Krieg gegen die Ukraine läuft immer mehr auf eine Säuberung der eigenen Gesellschaft hinaus |url=https://www.nzz.ch/feuilleton/russlands-krieg-laeuft-auf-eine-soziale-saeuberung-der-gesellschaft-hinaus-ld.1758471 |website=Neue Zürcher Zeitung |access-date=14 October 2023 |language=German |date=9 October 2023 |quote=Noch nie haben zwei Nationen mit einem Durchschnittsalter von über 40 Jahren Krieg gegeneinander geführt. [...] Noch nie haben zwei Nationen mit einem Kriegsindex von 0,7 miteinander die Waffen gekreuzt.}} Russia had a fighting-age (18-to-40-year-old) male population more than four times higher than Ukraine's and slightly higher birth rates, while the willingness to fight was more pronounced in Ukraine.{{cite web |last1=Stone |first1=Lyman |title=The Demography of War: Ukraine vs. Russia |url=https://ifstudies.org/blog/the-demography-of-war-ukraine-vs-russia |website=IFStudies |access-date=19 July 2023 |date=22 March 2023}}

Several sources have pointed out that the war is considerably worsening Ukraine's demographic crisis, making significant shrinking very likely.{{cite journal |last1=Kulu |first1=Hill |last2=Christison |first2=Sarah |last3=Liu |first3=Chia |last4=Mikolai |first4=Júlia |title=The war, refugees, and the future of Ukraine's population |journal=Population, Space and Place |date=30 March 2023 |volume=29 |issue=4 |doi=10.1002/psp.2656 |s2cid=257876682 |hdl=10023/27301 |hdl-access=free}}

• {{cite web |last1=Libanova |first1=Ella |title=Ukraine's Demography in the Second Year of the Full-Fledged War |url=https://www.wilsoncenter.org/blog-post/ukraines-demography-second-year-full-fledged-war |website=Focus Ukraine |access-date=19 July 2023 |date=27 June 2023}} A July 2023 study by the Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies stated that,

{{blockquote |text=regardless of how long the war lasts and whether or not there is further military escalation, Ukraine is unlikely to recover demographically from the consequences of the war. Even in 2040 it will have only about 35 million inhabitants, around 20% fewer than before the war (2021: 42.8 million) and the decline in the working-age population is likely to be the most severe and far-reaching.}}

The study took different scenarios, from a "best case" (end of the war in 2023 without much further escalation) to a "worst case" (end of the war in 2025 with further escalation) into account. Flight from war affected especially the southern and eastern regions and especially educated women of child-bearing 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 the conditions for reconstruction.{{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}}

File:Первых призывников из Ялты проводили на службу, 2022, 05.jpg drafted into the Russian army during the 2022 Russian mobilization]]

The war in Ukraine and the associated emigration, lower birth rates and war-related casualties further deepened the demographic crisis of Russia.{{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}} Many commentators predict that the situation will be worse than during the 1990s.{{cite journal |url=https://jamestown.org/program/russias-demographic-collapse-is-accelerating/ |title=Russia's Demographic Collapse Is Accelerating |last=Goble |first=Paul |volume=19 |issue=127 |date=18 August 2022 |location=Washington, D.C. |journal=Eurasia Daily Monitor |publisher=Jamestown Foundation}} The UN is projecting that the decline that started in 2021 will continue, and if current demographic conditions persist, Russia's population would be 120 million in fifty years, a decline of about 17%.{{Cite web |date=2022 |title=World Population Prospects 2022, Standard Projections, Compact File, Variant tab, Total Population, as of 1 January column |url=https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/MostUsed/ |website=United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division}}{{Cite news |date=4 March 2023 |title=Russia's population nightmare is going to get even worse |newspaper=The Economist |url=https://www.economist.com/europe/2023/03/04/russias-population-nightmare-is-going-to-get-even-worse}}

Since February 2022, hundreds of thousands of Russians have emigrated; estimates range from 370,000 to over 820,000. Combined with mobilisation, this possibly removed roughly half a million to one million working-age males from Russia's population.{{cite web |last1=Jenkins |first1=Brian Michael |title=Consequences of the War in Ukraine: A Bleak Outlook for Russia |url=https://www.rand.org/blog/2023/02/consequences-of-the-war-in-ukraine-a-bleak-outlook.html |website=The RAND Blog |access-date=19 July 2023 |date=28 February 2023}} Studies report that this will have a demographic effect, especially in Russia, that lasts much longer than the conflict, and Putin's time in office.{{Cite web |title=She had a dream job. Now, she's part of a massive brain drain hammering Russia |url=https://www.npr.org/2023/05/31/1176769042/russia-economy-brain-drain-oil-prices-flee-ukraine-invasion |website=NPR}}

• {{Cite web |date=9 July 2023 |title=Russlands Braindrain: Ein Land verliert sein Potenzial |url=https://orf.at/stories/3319159/ |access-date=9 July 2023 |website=ORF |language=de}}
• {{Cite web |date=21 March 2019 |title=The Putin Exodus: The New Russian Brain Drain |url=https://www.oei.fu-berlin.de/institut/termine/The-Putin-Exodus_-The-New-Russian-Brain-Drain.html |access-date=9 July 2023 |website=oei.fu-berlin.de |language=de}}

According to BBC:{{Cite news |date=3 June 2023 |title=Why are people leaving Russia, who are they, and where are they going? |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-65790759 |access-date=9 July 2023}}

They come from different walks of life. Some are journalists like us, but there are also IT experts, designers, artists, academics, lawyers, doctors, PR specialists, and linguists. Most are under 50. Many share western liberal values and hope Russia will be a democratic country one day. Some are LGBTQ+. Sociologists studying the current Russian emigration say there is evidence that those leaving are younger, better educated and wealthier than those staying. More often they are from bigger cities.

File:A446e8e1f45302f2b983625dd551e76b XL.jpg

According to Johannes Wachs, "The exodus of skilled human capital, sometimes called brain drain, out of Russia may have a significant effect on the course of the war and the Russian economy in the long run."{{cite journal |last1=Wachs |first1=Johannes |title=Digital traces of brain drain: developers during the Russian invasion of Ukraine |journal=EPJ Data Science |date=15 May 2023 |volume=12 |issue=1 |page=14 |doi=10.1140/epjds/s13688-023-00389-3 |pmid=37215283 |pmc=10184088}} According to a survey, around 15 percent of those who left returned to Russia, either permanently or to settle their affairs.{{cite news |title=The Russians returning home from self-imposed exile |url=https://www.ft.com/content/5e6bcce9-7bda-4b29-b1b7-f7df6e879fd9 |access-date=27 October 2023 |publisher=Financial Times |date=26 October 2023}}

In November 2023, at the World Russian People's Council, Putin urged Russian women to have eight or more children amid increasing Russian casualties in the invasion.{{cite web |last=Sharma |first=Shweta |title=Putin asks Russian women to have 'eight or more' children amid deaths in his war |website=The Independent |date=30 November 2023 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/vladimir-putin-women-eight-children-ukraine-war-b2455957.html |access-date=30 November 2023}}

In July 2024, Chief of the General Staff of the British Army Roland Walker said that with the current way of fighting, it would take Russia five years to control the four oblasts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia that Russia claims as its own, and it would cost Russia from 1.5 to 1.8 million casualties.{{cite news |title=Russia would lose up to 1.8 million troops and take 5 years to capture the 4 Ukrainian regions it wants: UK army chief |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/ukraine-war-four-regions-russia-lose-1-million-troops-walker-2024-7 |first=Matthew |last=Loh |work=Business Insider |date=25 July 2024 |access-date=29 July 2024}} He said there are "no winners" in Russia's invasion, adding "it is an utter devastation for both sides and lost generations."{{cite news |title=Russia 'would have to lose over 1.5 million soldiers' to achieve Ukraine war goals, new head of British army claims |url=https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/russia-lose-million-soldiers-to-achieve-ukraine-war-goals/ |first=Kit |last=Heren |work=LBC |date=24 July 2024 |access-date=29 July 2024}}

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

File:Attack on the center of Severodonetsk by Russian forces.jpg, 31 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, some {{convert|687,000|ST|t e9lb|order=out|abbr=off}} of petrochemicals have burned 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.[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. Around 30% of Ukraine's land is now littered with explosives and more than {{convert|2.4|e6ha|abbr=off}} of forest have been damaged.{{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}}

According to Netherlands-based peace organisation PAX, Russia's "deliberate targeting of industrial and energy infrastructure" has caused "severe" pollution, and the use of explosive weapons has left "millions of tonnes" of contaminated debris in cities and towns.[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. In early June 2023, the Kakhovka Dam, under Russian occupation, was damaged, causing flooding and triggering warnings of an "ecological disaster".{{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}}

• {{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}}
• {{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}}

The Ukrainian government, international observers and journalists have described the damage as ecocide.{{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}}

• {{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}}
• {{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}}
• {{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}}
• {{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}} The Ukrainian government is investigating more crimes against the environment and ecocide (a crime in Ukraine).{{Cite news |last1=Yermak |first1=Andriy |last2=Wallström |first2=Margot |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}}
• {{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}}
• {{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}} 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.{{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}}
• {{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}}

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.{{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}}

The war in Ukraine has severely disrupted climate policy all over the world and increased CO2 emissions.{{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}}{{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 |access-date=21 January 2025}} The effects have been strongly felt in Asia,{{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}}{{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}}{{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}} Europe,{{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 |access-date=25 December 2024 |agency=The Guardian |date=5 December 2024}}

and the US.{{cite news |last1=Lakhani |first1=Nina |last2=Milman |first2=Oliver |title=US fracking boom could tip world to edge of climate disaster |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}} Fatih Birol, the head of the International Energy Agency talking about the prospects of COP 28 noted:{{cite news |last1=Harvey |first1=Fiona |author-link=Fiona Harvey |date=26 September 2023 |title='Staggering' green growth gives hope for 1.5C, says global energy chief |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/sep/26/staggering-green-growth-gives-hope-for-15c-says-global-energy-head |access-date=29 September 2023 |agency=The Guardian}}

{{blockquote |text=... the geopolitical situation, with many nations at loggerheads over the war in Ukraine, and still frosty relations between the US and China, would make for a difficult summit. [...] The most important challenge [to limiting temperature rises to {{convert|1.5|C-change}} above pre-industrial levels] is the lack of international cooperation.}}

{{main|Nuclear risk during the Russian invasion of Ukraine}}

File:Rafael Mariano Grossi visits Zaporizhzhya NPP (02011296) (52340771440).jpg

Throughout the war, Putin implied that Russia may use nuclear weapons if certain "red lines" were to be crossed. By 2024, most of the Russian government's "red lines" had been crossed without nuclear weapons being used in response.{{cite web |last1=Dickinson |first1=Peter |date=11 August 2024 |title=Ukraine's invasion of Russia is erasing Vladimir Putin's last red lines |url=https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainealert/ukraines-russian-invasion-is-erasing-vladimir-putins-last-red-lines/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240814193833/https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainealert/ukraines-russian-invasion-is-erasing-vladimir-putins-last-red-lines/ |archive-date=14 August 2024 |access-date=15 August 2024 |website=Atlantic Council}}

Four days into the invasion, Putin put Russia's nuclear forces on high alert, raising fears that Russia could use tactical nuclear weapons against Ukraine.{{Cite web |title=Putin Orders Russian Nuclear Weapons on Higher Alert |url=https://www.armscontrol.org/act/2022-03/news/putin-orders-russian-nuclear-weapons-higher-alert |access-date=11 September 2023 |website=Arms Control Association}} In response to what he called "completely irresponsible actions", Zelenskyy suggested that there should be "global control" of Russia's nuclear assets.{{Cite news |last=O'Neil |first=Tyler |date=27 April 2022 |title=Zelenskyy demands 'global control' over Russia's nuclear capabilities after 'completely irresponsible actions' |url=https://www.foxnews.com/world/zelenskyy-global-control-russias-nuclear-capabilities |work=Fox News}} In March 2023, Putin announced plans to install Russian tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus.{{Cite web |first1=Heather |last1=Chen |first2=Hira |last2=Humayun |first3=Mariya |last3=Knight |first4=Andrew |last4=Carey |first5=Radina |last5=Gigova |first6=Maria |last6=Kostenko |date=26 March 2023 |title=Russia plans to station tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, Putin says |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/25/world/russia-putin-nuclear-weapons-belarus-intl-hnk/index.html |access-date=24 September 2023 |publisher=CNN}}

The invasion had an impact on Ukraine's nuclear power plants. Russian forces captured Chernobyl on the first day, leading to a huge spike in radiation levels.{{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}} Russia also captured Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, the largest in Europe, and which has since been at risk and damaged by shelling. In August 2022, Zelenskyy described the situation as "Russian nuclear terror".{{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}} 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.{{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}}

{{Main|Economic impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine}}

Ukrainian Minister of Economic Development and Trade Yulia Svyrydenko announced that for 2022 Ukraine had a 30.4% loss in their GDP.{{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}} The International Monetary Fund predicted that Ukraine's gross domestic product (GDP) would suffer a decrease from a minimum of 10% to a maximum of 35%;{{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/ |access-date= |work=Reuters}} the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development also predicted that the invasion would cause a 20% decrease of Ukraine's GDP.{{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 |access-date= |website=European Bank for Reconstruction and Development}} The Ukrainian statistics service said that the GDP of Ukraine in 2023 grew by 5.3%.{{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}}

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

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 also falling into poverty within a year.{{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 |access-date= |website=RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty}}

The Russian economic ministry said that for 2022 the GDP contracted by 2.1%{{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}} and for 2023 Russia's government said the GDP grew by 3.6%.{{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}}

A price cap was placed on Russian oil by the Group of 7 (G7) at $60 on 5 December 2022.{{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}} The United States banned all imports of Russian oil on 8 March 2022.{{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}} The European Union placed an embargo on oil products from Russia on 5 February 2023. Other countries that embargoed Russian oil included Five Eyes partners Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.{{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/gas-rationing-food-vouchers-and-hunger-economic-pain-from-russia-s-war-is-getting-real-1.5832822 |access-date=2 June 2024 |work=CTV News |agency=CNN}} Russia itself issued a ban on foreign diesel sales starting on 21 September 2023, before being lifted on 6 October.{{Cite news |last=Gavin |first=Gabriel |date=6 October 2023 |title=Politico |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/russia-to-lift-fuel-export-ban-amid-supply-fears/ |access-date=11 May 2024 |type=Digital}}

On 27 April 2024, it was reported that Russia was planning increases in personal income taxes and corporate taxes to help pay for the war.{{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}}

In January 2025, it was reported that, since early 2022, Russia had used a two-prong strategy to finance the extremely large costs of the war. In addition to the official Russian government defense budget—direct financial expenditure for waging the war in Ukraine was estimated at US$250 billion through June 2024 for military spending through normal channels, with the military budget rising to over 20% of annual GDP—an additional off-budget financing mechanism was employed to fund the war with over US$200 billion of debt funding obtained from preferential bank loans made to defence contractors and war-related businesses, loans that had been compelled by the Russian government.{{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}}{{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}}

{{Main|Peace negotiations in the Russian invasion of Ukraine}}

File:CUMBRE POR LA PAZ EN UCRANIA. ZÚRICH-SUIZA, 16 DE JUNIO DE 2024 - 1.jpg]]

Peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine took place on {{nobr|28 February}}, {{nobr|3 March}}, and {{nobr|7 March 2022}}, on the Belarus–Ukraine border, with further talks held on 10 March in Turkey and a fourth round of negotiations beginning 14 March.{{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}}

• {{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}}
• {{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}}
• {{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.}} The talks ended without agreement.

File:Annexation of Southern and Eastern Ukraine.svg}} (pictured) a condition for peace talks with Ukraine.{{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}}]]

As of 2024,{{Needs update|date=April 2025}} Ukraine's main peace terms are that Russia withdraw its troops, that Ukrainian prisoners be released, that Russian leaders be prosecuted for war crimes, and that Ukraine be given security guarantees to prevent further aggression. Russia's main terms are that Russia must keep all the land it occupies, that it also be given all of the provinces that it claims but does not fully control, that Ukraine end plans to join NATO, and that sanctions against Russia be lifted.{{cite news |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}}
{{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}}
{{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}}

According to several Western sources, allowing Russia to keep the land it seized would "reward the aggressor while punishing the victim" and set a dangerous precedent.{{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}} They predict that this would allow Russia to re-arm and encourage it "to continue its imperialist campaign of expansionism" against Ukraine and its other neighbors, and embolden other expansionist regimes.{{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}}{{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}}{{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}}

After Donald Trump became US president in 2025, there was a major shift in US policy. The Trump administration began negotiations with Russia and separately with Ukraine.

{{further|Peace negotiations in the Russian invasion of Ukraine#2025 developments}}

== International reactions ==

{{Main|Reactions to the Russian invasion of Ukraine}}

{{see also|Protests against the Russian invasion of Ukraine}}

File:United Nations General Assembly resolution ES-11 L.1 vote.svg vote on 2 March 2022 condemning the invasion of Ukraine and demanding a complete withdrawal of Russian troops
{{legend|#74C365|In favour}}{{legend|#ab4e52|Against}}{{legend|#FADA5E|Abstained}}{{legend|#89CFF0|Absent}}{{legend|#C0C0C0|Non-member}}]]

The invasion received widespread international condemnation from governments and intergovernmental organisations.{{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}} On 2 March 2022 and on 23 February 2023, 141 member states of the UN General Assembly voted for a resolution saying that Russia should immediately withdraw. Seven, including Russia, voted against the measure.{{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}} Political reactions to the invasion included new sanctions imposed on Russia, which triggered widespread economic effects on the Russian and world economies.{{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}} Sanctions forced Russia to reorient its oil exports to non-sanctioning countries such as India, rely more on LNG (which was not subject to European Union sanctions), and shift its coal exports from Europe to Asia.{{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 |pages=103150 |bibcode=2023ERSS..10203150O |doi=10.1016/j.erss.2023.103150 |doi-access=free}} Most European countries cancelled nuclear cooperation with Russia.{{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}}

Over seventy sovereign states and the European Union delivered humanitarian aid to Ukraine, and nearly fifty countries plus the EU provided military aid.{{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}} Economic sanctions included a ban on Russian aircraft using EU airspace,{{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)}} a ban of certain Russian banks from the SWIFT international payments system, and a ban on certain Russian media outlets.{{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)}} Reactions to the invasion have included public response, media responses, peace efforts, and the examination of the legal implications of the invasion.

Some countries, particularly in the Global South, saw public sympathy or outright support for Russia, due in part to distrust of US foreign policy.{{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}}

• {{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}} Protests and demonstrations were held worldwide, including some in Russia and parts of Ukraine occupied by Russia.{{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}} Calls for a boycott of Russian goods spread on social media platforms,{{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}} while hackers attacked Russian websites, particularly those operated by the Russian government.{{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}} Anti-Russian sentiment against Russians living abroad surged after the invasion.{{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}}
• {{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}} In March 2022, Russian President Putin introduced prison sentences of up to 15 years for publishing "fake news" about Russian military operations,{{cite news |date=11 March 2022 |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}} intended to suppress any criticism related to the war.{{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}}

According to the Economist Intelligence Unit in 2023, 31 percent of the world's population live in countries that are leaning towards or supportive of Russia, 30.7 percent live in neutral countries, and 36.2 percent live in countries that are against Russia in some way.{{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}}

A number of supranational and national parliaments passed resolutions declaring Russia to be a state sponsor of terrorism.{{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}} By October 2022, three countries—Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia—had declared Russia a terrorist state.{{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}} On 1 August 2023, Iceland became the first European country to close its embassy in Russia as a result of the invasion of Ukraine.{{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}}

The invasion prompted Ukraine,{{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}} Finland and Sweden to officially apply for NATO membership.{{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}} Finland became a member of NATO on 4 April 2023,{{Cite news |date=4 April 2023 |title=Nato's border with Russia doubles as Finland joins |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}} followed by Sweden on 7 March 2024.{{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}}

A documentary film produced during the siege of Mariupol, 20 Days in Mariupol, won the Oscar for best documentary in 2024.{{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}}

{{Portal|2020s|Current events|Europe|Politics|Russia|Ukraine}}

• List of invasions in the 21st century
• Outline of the Russo-Ukrainian War
• 2020s in military history
• Democracy in Europe
• Elections in Russia
• Elections in Ukraine
• List of conflicts in territory of the former Soviet Union
• List of conflicts in Europe
• List of interstate wars since 1945
• List of invasions and occupations of Ukraine
• List of ongoing armed conflicts
• List of wars between Russia and Ukraine
• List of wars: 2003–present
• Russian emigration following the Russian invasion of Ukraine
• Red lines in the Russo-Ukrainian War

{{Reflist|group=note}}

{{Notelist|30em}}

{{reflist}}

• {{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}}
• {{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}}
• {{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}}
• {{cite book |last=Wallensteen |first=Peter |author-link=Peter Wallensteen |year=2023 |title=Understanding Conflict Resolution |publisher=SAGE |oclc=1370602224 |location=Los Angeles |isbn=9781529613209}}

{{Refbegin|30em}}

• Borshchevskaya, Anna (2022). Putin's War in Syria. 50 Bedford Square, London, WC1B 3DP, UK: I. B. Tauris. {{Isbn|978-0755634637}}
• Harding, Luke. Invasion: The Inside Story of Russia's Bloody War and Ukraine's Fight for Survival. 2022. Vintage Press. {{Isbn| 9780593685174}}
• {{Cite book |editor-last=Marples |editor-first=David R. |title=The War in Ukraine's Donbas: Origins, Contexts, and the Future |date=2022 |publisher=Central European University Press |isbn=978-9633865972 |ref=none}}
• {{Cite book |last1=Menon |first1=Rajan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3L34DwAAQBAJ&pg=PP1 |title=Conflict in Ukraine: The Unwinding of the Post–Cold War Order |last2=Rumer |first2=Eugene B. |date=6 February 2015 |publisher=MIT Press |isbn=978-0-262-53629-5 |oclc=1029335958 |via=Google Books |ref=none}}
• {{Cite web |publisher=Royal United Services Institute |website=The Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies |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}}
• {{Cite news |last1=Schwirtz |first1=Michael |last2=Troianovski |first2=Anton |last3=Al-Hlou |first3=Yousur |last4=Froliak |first4=Masha |last5=Entous |first5=Adam |last6=Gibbons-Neff |first6=Thomas |date=16 December 2022 |title=Putin's War: The Inside Story of a Catastrophe |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/12/16/world/europe/russia-putin-war-failures-ukraine.html |ref=none}}
• {{Cite book |last=Smith |first=Christopher M. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HxUWEAAAQBAJ&pg=PP1 |title=Ukraine's Revolt, Russia's Revenge |date=15 March 2022 |publisher=Brookings Institution Press |isbn=978-0-8157-3925-8 |oclc=1287616684 |via=Google Books |ref=none}}
• {{cite book |last=Trofimov |first=Yaroslav |title=Our Enemies Will Vanish. The Russian Invasion and Ukraine's War of Independence |publisher=Penguin Random House |date=2024 |isbn=9780593655184}}
• {{Cite report |url=https://static.rusi.org/special-report-202204-operation-z-web.pdf |title=Operation Z: The Death Throes of an Imperial Delusion |last1=Watling |first1=Jack |last2=Reynolds |first2=Nick |date=22 April 2022 |publisher=Royal United Services Institute |ref=none}}
• {{Cite news |last=Wiegrefe |first=Klaus |date=15 February 2022 |title=NATO's Eastward Expansion: Is Vladimir Putin Right? |work=Der Spiegel |url=https://www.spiegel.de/international/world/nato-s-eastward-expansion-is-vladimir-putin-right-a-bf318d2c-7aeb-4b59-8d5f-1d8c94e1964d |url-status=live |access-date=31 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220215103833/https://www.spiegel.de/international/world/nato-s-eastward-expansion-is-vladimir-putin-right-a-bf318d2c-7aeb-4b59-8d5f-1d8c94e1964d |archive-date=15 February 2022 |issn=2195-1349}}
• {{Cite book |last1=Wood |first1=Elizabeth A. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JyDyCgAAQBAJ&pg=PP1 |title=Roots of Russia's War in Ukraine |last2=Pomeranz |first2=William E. |last3=Merry |first3=E. Wayne |last4=Trudolyubov |first4=Maxim |date=15 December 2015 |publisher=Columbia University Press |isbn=978-0-231-80138-6 |oclc=1008637056 |via=Google Books |ref=none}}

{{Refend}}

{{Sister project links|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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