"Russian invasion of Ukraine" redirects here.

For previous invasions, see List of invasions and

occupations of Ukraine.

2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine

Part of the Russo-Ukrainian War

Military situation as of 12 December 2022

Controlled by Ukraine Controlled by Russia

(Detailed map)
Date 24 February 2022 – present
(9 months, 2 weeks and 5 days)
Location Ukraine[c]
Status Ongoing (list of engagements · territorial
control · timeline of events)

Belligerents

Ukraine
Russia

 Donetsk

People's Republic[a]

 Luhansk

People's Republic[a]

Supported by:
Belarus[b]

Commanders and leaders

 Vladimir Putin  Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Units involved

Order of battle Order of battle

 Strength

 Russia:  Ukraine:

~175,000–190,000[6][7] o 196,600 (armed forces)

 DPR: 20,000[8] o 102,000 (paramilitary)[9]

 LPR: 14,000[8]

Strength estimates are as of the start of the invasion.

Casualties and losses

Reports vary widely, see Casualties for details.

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Post-Soviet conflicts

On 24 February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine in a major escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War,
which began in 2014. The invasion has likely resulted in tens of thousands of deaths on both sides
and caused Europe's largest refugee crisis since World War II,[10][11] with an estimated 8 million people
being displaced within the country by late May as well as 7.8 million Ukrainians fleeing the country
as of 8 November 2022.[12][13][14][15] Within five weeks of the invasion, Russia experienced its greatest
emigration since the 1917 October Revolution.[16] The invasion has also caused global food
shortages.[17][18]
Following the 2014 Ukrainian Revolution, Russia annexed Crimea, and Russian-backed
paramilitaries seized part of the Donbas region of south-eastern Ukraine, which consists
of Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts, sparking a regional war.[19][20] In March 2021, Russia began a large
military build-up along its border with Ukraine, eventually amassing up to 190,000 troops and their
equipment. Despite the build-up, denials of plans to invade or attack Ukraine were issued by various
Russian government officials up to the day before the invasion.[24] On 21 February 2022, Russia
recognised the Donetsk People's Republic and the Luhansk People's Republic, two self-proclaimed
breakaway quasi-states in the Donbas.[25] The next day, the Federation Council of Russia authorised
the use of military force and Russian troops entered both territories. [26]
The invasion began on the morning of 24 February,[27] when Russian president Vladimir
Putin announced a "special military operation"[28] aiming for the "demilitarisation" and "denazification"
of Ukraine.[29][30] In his address, Putin espoused irredentist views,[31] challenged Ukraine's right to
statehood,[32][33] and falsely[34] claimed Ukraine was governed by neo-Nazis who persecuted the ethnic
Russian minority.[35] Minutes later, missiles, rockets and airstrikes hit across Ukraine, including the
capital Kyiv, followed by a large ground invasion from multiple directions.[36][37] Ukrainian
president Volodymyr Zelenskyy enacted martial law and a general mobilisation.[38][39] Russian attacks
were initially launched on a northern front from Belarus towards Kyiv, a north-eastern
front towards Kharkiv, a southern front from Crimea, and a south-eastern
front from Luhansk and Donetsk.[40][41] Russia's advance towards Kyiv stalled in March, with Russian
troops retreating from the northern front by April. On the southern and south-eastern fronts, Russia
captured Kherson in March and then Mariupol in May after a siege. On 19 April, Russia
launched a renewed attack on the Donbas region, with Luhansk Oblast fully captured by 3 July.
[42]
Russian forces continued to bomb both military and civilian targets far from the frontline. [43]
[44]
Ukrainian forces launched counteroffensives in the south in August, and in the northeast in
September. Soon after, Russia announced the illegal annexation of four partially occupied oblasts. In
November, Ukraine retook the city of Kherson.