"Russian invasion of Ukraine" redirects here.

For other uses, see List of invasions and occupations

of Ukraine.

2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine

Part of the Russo-Ukrainian War

Military situation as of 7 August 2022

   Controlled by Ukraine

   Occupied by Russia

For a more detailed map, see the Russo-Ukrainian War detailed map

Date 24 February 2022 – present
(5 months, 2 weeks and 1 day)
Location Ukraine[c]
Status Ongoing (list of engagements · control of
cities · timeline of events)

Belligerents

  Russia  Ukraine
  Donetsk PR[a]

  Luhansk PR[a]

 Supported by:
 Belarus[b]

Commanders and leaders

  Vladimir Putin   Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Units involved

Order of battle Order of battle

Strength
   Russia: ~175,000–   Ukraine:

190,000[14][15] o 196,600 (armed forces)

  Donetsk PR: o 102,000 (paramilitary)[17]

20,000[16]
  Luhansk PR:

14,000[16]

Strength estimates are as of the start of the invasion.

Casualties and losses

Reports vary widely.

See Casualties and humanitarian impact for details.

show
 v

 t

 e
2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine

show
 v

 t

 e
Russo-Ukrainian War

show
 v

 t

 e
Post-Soviet conflicts

On 24 February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine in a major escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian

War that began in 2014. The invasion caused Europe's largest refugee crisis since World War II,[18]
[19]
 with more than 6.3 million Ukrainians fleeing the country[20][21] and a third of the
population displaced.[22][23] The invasion also caused global food shortages.[24][25]
In 2014, Russia invaded and annexed Crimea, and Russian-backed separatists seized part of
the Donbas region of south-eastern Ukraine, consisting of Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts,
sparking a regional war.[26][27] In 2021, Russia began a large military build-up along its border with
Ukraine, amassing up to 190,000 troops and their equipment. In a televised address shortly before
the invasion, Russian president Vladimir Putin espoused irredentist views,[28] challenged
Ukraine's right to statehood,[29][30] and falsely[31] claimed Ukraine was governed by neo-Nazis who
persecuted the ethnic Russian minority.[32] On 21 February 2022, Russia recognised the Donetsk
People's Republic and the Luhansk People's Republic, two self-proclaimed breakaway quasi-
states in Donbas.[33] The next day, the Federation Council of Russia authorised the use of military
force, and Russian troops promptly advanced on both territories. [34]
The invasion began on the morning of 24 February,[35] when Putin announced a "special military
operation" to "demilitarise and denazify" Ukraine.[36][37] Minutes later, missiles and airstrikes hit across
Ukraine, including the capital Kyiv. A large ground invasion followed from multiple directions. [38]
[39]
 Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy enacted martial law and a general mobilisation of all
male Ukrainian citizens between 18 and 60, who were banned from leaving the country.