Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, launched on February 24, 2022, has left an estimated 450,000 Russian soldiers dead and reduced entire cities to rubble, according to estimates. The conflict has become the deadliest in Europe since the Second World War, with Ukrainian forces continuing to resist Russian advances more than four years later.
What the Kremlin hoped would be a swift victory has instead become a prolonged war of attrition. Fierce fighting, missile strikes and drone attacks have claimed countless lives on both sides, while millions of Ukrainians have been forced to flee their homes. International efforts to secure a lasting ceasefire have repeatedly stalled, and despite mounting losses and widespread condemnation, Vladimir Putin has continued his military campaign.
February 2022: The Invasion Begins
On February 24, 2022, Putin launched the full-scale invasion, announcing what he called a "special military operation" in a televised address. Russian tanks and armoured vehicles advanced into Ukraine, while explosions were reported in Kyiv and other major cities. The invasion sparked international condemnation and marked the beginning of a devastating conflict.
April 2022: The Bucha Massacre
In early April 2022, Ukrainian forces regained control of Bucha, northwest of Kyiv, and discovered dozens of civilian bodies following the withdrawal of Russian troops. The discovery prompted international outrage and allegations of war crimes. Ukraine accused Russian forces of carrying out a deliberate massacre during their occupation of the town.
September 2022: Counteroffensive and Mobilisation
Ukrainian forces launched a lightning counteroffensive in September 2022, recapturing thousands of square kilometres of Russian-occupied territory in the Kharkiv region. The rapid advance forced Russian troops to retreat from key towns, including Izium and Kupiansk, marking one of Ukraine's biggest victories since the invasion began.
On September 21, 2022, Putin announced the partial mobilisation of 300,000 Russian reservists to fight in Ukraine during a televised address from Moscow. The announcement came almost seven months after the invasion, following a series of battlefield setbacks. The move sparked protests across Russia and prompted thousands of men to flee the country to avoid being drafted.
