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.
It has caused Europe's largest refugee crisis since World War II.[10][11] An estimated 8 million
Ukrainians were displaced within their country by late May and 7.8 million fled the country by 8
November 2022,[12][13][14][15] while Russia, within five weeks of the invasion, experienced its greatest
emigration since the 1917 October Revolution.[16]
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.[17][18] 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. [22] 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.[23] The next day, the Federation Council of Russia authorised
the use of military force and Russian troops entered both territories. [24]