Russian occupation of Chernihiv Oblast

{{Infobox military conflict

| partof = the Russian invasion of Ukraine

| date = 24 February 2022–3 April 2022
{{small|({{Age in years, months, weeks and days|month1=02|day1=24|year1=2022|month2=04|day2=03|year2=2022}})}}

| place = Chernihiv Oblast, Ukraine

}}

On 24 February 2022, the Russian military invaded Ukraine, crossing the Russia-Ukraine and Belarus–Ukraine borders at several points in Chernihiv Oblast. Russian troops unsuccessfully attempted to capture the capital city of the oblast, Chernihiv, as part of a strategy to reach the Ukraine's capital Kyiv from the east.

By 3 April, all Russian forces had reportedly left Chernihiv Oblast.

Occupation

= Horodnia =

Horodnia was occupied on 24 February 2022, the first day of the invasion.{{cite web|lang=uk|access-date=16 January 2025|website=Suspilne|title=Зупиняли танки і давали росіянам книжки з історії України: як жила Городня в окупації|date=17 April 2022|url=https://suspilne.media/chernihiv/229438-zupinali-tanki-i-davali-rosianam-knizki-z-istorii-ukraini-ak-zila-gorodna-v-okupacii/}}

Russian forces left Horodnia on 1 April, blowing up a bridge as they withdrew.{{cite web|access-date=21 March 2025|language=uk|website=Suspilne|title=Підірвали переправу і пішли. Російські окупанти вийшли з Городні|date=2 April 2022|url=https://suspilne.media/chernihiv/224371-pidirvali-perepravu-i-pisli-rosijski-okupanti-vijsli-z-gorodni/}} According to Ukrainian officials, the situation in the town was "under control" by the next day.{{Cite web |title=Суспільне Чернігів |url=https://t.me/suspilnechernihiv/7916 |access-date=2022-08-13 |website=Telegram}}

= Russian withdrawal =

In late March 2022, Russian officials said that their forces would "drastically" reduce military operations around Kyiv and Chernihiv,{{Cite web |title=Ukraine war latest: Biden calls for Putin war crimes trial as more evidence of atrocities emerge |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-europe-60949706 |access-date=2022-08-13 |website=BBC News |language=en-gb}} and announced on 29 March that they would withdraw from the areas.{{cite web|title=Russian Forces Withdrawing From Northern Ukrainian Region - Governor|url=https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2022-04-01/russian-forces-withdrawing-from-northern-ukrainian-region-governor|date=1 April 2022|access-date=18 November 2024|first1=Natalia|last1=Zinets|first2=Max|last2=Hunder|first3=Timothy|last3=Heritage|website=U.S. News and World Report}} On 30 March, Russia began withdrawing troops from northern Ukraine, including Chernihiv Oblast.{{citation needed|date=November 2024}} By 31 March, the Chernihiv Oblast governor Vyacheslav Chaus said that Russian forces had begun withdrawing from the region.

Ukrainian forces started recapturing many towns and settlements and by 3 April, Ukrainian officials and the Pentagon claimed Russian forces left Chernihiv Oblast for redeployment in Donbas and South Ukraine.{{citation needed|date=November 2024}}

Aftermath

After Russian forces withdrew, Ukrainian forces began demining operations in Chernihiv Oblast.{{Cite web |title=A demining team of a pyrotechnic unit of the State Emergency Service... |url=https://www.gettyimages.ca/detail/video/demining-team-of-a-pyrotechnic-unit-of-the-state-news-footage/1404865555 |access-date=2022-08-13 |website=Getty Images |language=en-gb}}

Russian forces still shell small towns and villages near the border with Russia.{{Cite web |date=2022-08-04 |title=Operational information on Russian invasion (August 4) |url=https://uatv.ua/en/operational-information-on-russian-invasion-august-4/ |access-date=2022-08-15 |website=UATV |language=en-US}}

On 15 November 2024, a likely Russian reconnaissance and sabotage unit conducted a cross-border incursion into the Chernihiv Oblast. According to Russian military bloggers, the Russian force entered and/or seized the villages of Hremiach, {{ill|Kolos, Chernihiv Oblast|uk|Колос (Новгород-Сіверський район)|lt=Kolos}}, {{ill|Novoselivka, Chernihiv Oblast|uk|Новоселівка (Новгород-Сіверський район)|lt=Novoselivka}} and {{ill|Murav'yi|uk|Мурав'ї}}, though the Institute for the Study of War was unable to confirm that the Russian forces were maintaining positions in the area; Ukrainian officials claimed that Russian forces only briefly crossed into the region as part of an "information operation."{{cite web|title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, November 15, 2024 |last1=Mappes |first1=Grace |last2=Hird |first2=Karolina |last3=Evans |first3=Angelica |last4=Runkel |first4=William |last5=Gasparyan |first5=Davit |last6=Gibson |first6=Olivia |last7=Barros |first7=George |last8=Trotter |first8=Nate |work=Institute for the Study of War |date=15 November 2024 |access-date=16 November 2024 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-november-15-2024}}