2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine

2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
Immanuelle, Cdjp1, Bacon Noodles, & Physeters · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Conflict	2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
Date	February 24, 2022 – present
Place	Ukraine
Result	Ongoing

2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. The invasion began on February 24, 2022, when Russia, led by Vladimir Putin, launched a large-scale attack on Ukraine, led by Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This conflict is closely related to the Minsk Agreement, the Normandy Format, and the Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances. The invasion has been widely condemned by the international community, including the United Nations, the European Union, and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

Background

The background to the invasion is complex and involves the Russian Empire, the Soviet Union, and the Orange Revolution. The Treaty on the Elimination of Intermediate-Range and Shorter-Range Missiles and the Conventional Armed Forces in Europe Treaty are also relevant. Ukraine declared its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, with the support of Leonid Kravchuk and Boris Yeltsin. The Partnership for Peace and the NATO–Ukraine Action Plan were established to promote cooperation between Ukraine and NATO. However, Russia has long been concerned about NATO's expansion into Eastern Europe, including the accession of Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic.

Prelude to the invasion

In the months leading up to the invasion, there were significant military build-ups by both Russia and Ukraine, with support from Belarus and the Donetsk People's Republic. The Minsk II ceasefire agreement and the Steinmeier Formula were attempts to resolve the conflict in Donbas, but they ultimately failed. Vladimir Putin and Sergey Lavrov made several statements about the need to protect Russian-speaking populations in Ukraine, while Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Dmytro Kuleba emphasized the importance of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and the Council of Europe played important roles in attempting to mediate the conflict.

Invasion

The invasion began on February 24, 2022, with a series of missile strikes and artillery bombardments across Ukraine, including the cities of Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Odessa. The Russian Air Force and the Russian Navy were involved in the attack, with support from Belarusian and Chechen forces. The Ukrainian Armed Forces, led by Valerii Zaluzhnyi, resisted the invasion, with support from NATO and the European Union. The Battle of Kyiv and the Battle of Kharkiv were key battles in the early stages of the invasion. The International Committee of the Red Cross and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees have been involved in providing humanitarian assistance to those affected by the conflict.

International reactions

The international community has widely condemned the invasion, with many countries imposing sanctions on Russia and providing support to Ukraine. The United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution condemning the invasion, with support from countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia. The European Union has imposed significant sanctions on Russia, including restrictions on Gazprom and Rosneft. The NATO alliance has also provided support to Ukraine, including the deployment of troops to Poland and the Baltic states. The G7 and the G20 have also played important roles in responding to the invasion.

Humanitarian impact

The humanitarian impact of the invasion has been significant, with thousands of civilians killed or injured and millions displaced. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has estimated that over 10 million people have been affected by the conflict. The International Rescue Committee and the Save the Children organization have been involved in providing humanitarian assistance to those affected. The World Health Organization and the World Food Programme have also played important roles in responding to the humanitarian crisis. The European Court of Human Rights and the International Criminal Court have been involved in investigating alleged war crimes and human rights abuses.

Aftermath

The aftermath of the invasion is ongoing, with significant uncertainty about the future of Ukraine and the region. The Minsk Agreement and the Normandy Format are still relevant, but the invasion has significantly complicated the peace process. The Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances and the Helsinki Accords are also relevant to the ongoing conflict. The United States, the European Union, and NATO have all emphasized the importance of supporting Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, while Russia has continued to assert its claims to Crimea and the Donbas region. The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and the Collective Security Treaty Organization have also played important roles in responding to the invasion. Category:2022 conflicts