The Russian Invasion
Understanding the ongoing war in Ukraine — the facts, the impact, and why your continued support matters.
On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a full-scale military invasion of Ukraine — the largest military attack on a European country since World War II. This unprovoked aggression violated international law and the sovereignty of Ukraine, a democratic nation of 44 million people. The war continues to cause immense suffering, displacing millions and devastating communities across the country.
Key Events
A factual timeline of the conflict.
Declaration of Independence
The Verkhovna Rada adopts the Act of Declaration of Independence of Ukraine, formally re-establishing Ukrainian statehood. The Act explicitly invokes the "thousand-year tradition of state development in Ukraine" — a reference to the historical continuity of Ukrainian statehood from Kyivan Rus through the Cossack Hetmanate to the Ukrainian People's Republic of 1917–1921. On December 1, 1991, a national referendum confirms independence with over 92% of voters in favor.
Read More →Budapest Memorandum
Ukraine, which inherited the world's third-largest nuclear arsenal after the Soviet collapse, agrees to transfer all nuclear warheads to Russia. In return, Russia, the United States, and the United Kingdom sign the Budapest Memorandum, providing security assurances to Ukraine — including commitments to respect its independence, sovereignty, and existing borders, and to refrain from the threat or use of force against its territorial integrity.
Read More →Russian–Ukrainian Friendship Treaty
Presidents Leonid Kuchma and Boris Yeltsin sign the Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation, and Partnership in Kyiv. The treaty establishes a strategic partnership and contains an explicit and unconditional mutual recognition of each state's territorial integrity and the inviolability of their existing borders. Both sides also pledge not to use their territory to harm the security of the other.
Read More →Russian–Ukrainian Border Treaty
Russia and Ukraine sign the Treaty on the Russian–Ukrainian State Border, formally establishing the entire land border between the two countries — from the tri-border point where Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine meet, to the coast of the Sea of Azov at the Gulf of Taganrog. The treaty provides internationally recognized legal demarcation of the land boundary.
Read More →Sea of Azov & Kerch Strait Agreement
Presidents Vladimir Putin and Leonid Kuchma sign a treaty in Kerch on cooperation in the use of the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait. The agreement defines these waters as historically internal waters of both states, grants freedom of navigation to merchant and non-commercial vessels of both countries, and establishes a framework for joint cooperation on navigation, fisheries, and environmental protection.
Read More →Revolution of Dignity
Mass protests erupt on Kyiv's Maidan Nezalezhnosti after President Viktor Yanukovych suspends preparations for signing an Association Agreement with the European Union, choosing closer ties with Russia instead. The movement broadens into demands against government corruption and abuse of power. A violent government crackdown in February 2014 kills over 100 protesters — known as the Heavenly Hundred — before Yanukovych flees the country on February 22.
Read More →Russian Occupation of Crimea
In late February 2014, unmarked Russian soldiers — later identified as Russian armed forces — seize key government buildings and military installations across Crimea. Russia initially denies involvement despite overwhelming evidence. The occupation forces organize a disputed referendum on March 16 under military control, which is declared illegitimate by Ukraine, the European Union, the United States, and the UN General Assembly.
Read More →Russian Annexation of Crimea
Russia signs a treaty to incorporate Crimea and Sevastopol into the Russian Federation, in direct violation of Ukraine's sovereignty, the Budapest Memorandum, the Russian–Ukrainian Friendship Treaty, and international law. The UN General Assembly adopts Resolution 68/262 affirming Ukraine's territorial integrity, with 100 nations voting in favor. The annexation is not recognized by the vast majority of the international community.
Read More →War in Donbas
Russia foments and supports armed separatist movements in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of eastern Ukraine, supplying fighters, weapons, and regular military personnel. The resulting conflict kills over 14,000 people, including thousands of civilians. Two ceasefire agreements — Minsk I (September 2014) and Minsk II (February 2015) — fail to bring lasting peace as Russia continues to arm and reinforce separatist forces while denying its direct military involvement.
Read More →Full-Scale Invasion
Russia launches a full-scale military invasion of Ukraine — the largest armed attack on a European country since World War II. Russian forces advance from the north (through Belarus toward Kyiv), the east (toward Kharkiv and Sumy), and the south (from occupied Crimea). Fierce Ukrainian military and civilian resistance halts the advance on Kyiv within weeks, forcing a Russian withdrawal from the capital region by early April.
Read More →Bucha & Civilian Atrocities
Following the Russian withdrawal from the Kyiv region, the liberation of Bucha, Irpin, and other suburbs reveals horrific evidence of mass civilian killings, summary executions, sexual violence, torture, and looting. Hundreds of civilian bodies are found in streets, basements, and mass graves — war crimes committed by Russian forces documented by international investigators and journalists. The international community responds with widespread condemnation and expanded sanctions.
Read More →Ukrainian Counteroffensives
In a rapid September offensive, Ukrainian forces liberate over 12,000 square kilometers in the Kharkiv region, recapturing key cities including Izium, Kupiansk, and Balakliia. In the south, a methodical campaign systematically cuts Russian supply lines across the Dnieper River using precision strikes, forcing a Russian retreat from the west bank. On November 11, Ukrainian forces liberate the city of Kherson — the only regional capital Russia had captured since the full-scale invasion.
Read More →Ongoing Conflict
The war continues along a largely static front line in eastern and southern Ukraine, with intense fighting around key positions in Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions. Russia conducts systematic missile and drone strikes against Ukrainian civilian infrastructure, deliberately targeting energy systems, hospitals, schools, and residential areas in campaigns designed to break civilian morale — particularly during winter months.
Understanding the Consequences
The human cost and how you can make a difference.
Humanitarian Impact
Over 10 million Ukrainians have been displaced — roughly 6 million internally and over 4 million as refugees across Europe. Thousands of civilian casualties have been documented, including children. Critical infrastructure has been systematically targeted, with attacks on power plants, water systems, and hospitals disrupting essential services for millions.
Why Support Matters
Ukraine is defending not only its sovereignty but also the principles of international law and the rules-based global order. Every form of support — humanitarian aid, economic engagement with Ukrainian businesses, and simply sharing Ukraine's story — contributes to the country's resilience. International solidarity has been a crucial factor in Ukraine's ability to resist and recover.
How You Can Help
There are many meaningful ways to support Ukraine: donate to verified humanitarian organizations, purchase from Ukrainian businesses, learn about Ukrainian culture, share accurate information about the war, and advocate for continued international support. Every action, no matter how small, makes a difference.
Take Action Today
Every form of support matters — from donating to verified organizations to shopping from Ukrainian brands.