Russia Launches Full-Scale Invasion of Ukraine
February 24, 2022 · 21st Century
On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a full-scale military invasion of Ukraine, the largest land war in Europe since World War II. Putin announced a "special military operation" with stated goals of "demilitarization and denazification." Russian forces under Valery Gerasimov attacked from the north toward Kyiv, from the east into the Donbas, and from Crimea in the south. Ukrainian resistance under Zelensky forced Russian withdrawal from Kyiv within weeks. The invasion triggered Western sanctions coordinated by Biden, military aid to Ukraine, NATO expansion applications from Finland and Sweden, and displaced over eight million Ukrainians abroad.
Key Figures
Joe BidenVladimir PutinVolodymyr ZelenskyValery Gerasimov
Locations
CrimeaKyiv, Ukraine
Topics
ukraineRussiawarrefugeesNATOgeopoliticssanctions
Connected Events — 11 Connections
Contested post-Soviet order established by Dissolution of the Soviet Union
Escalated eight-year war begun with Russia Annexes Crimea
Documented war crimes committed during opening phase of Bucha Massacre Revealed
Most significant single military loss of Sinking of the Moskva
Formalized territorial objectives of Russia Illegally Annexes Four Ukrainian Oblasts
Epitomized attritional nature of Fall of Bakhmut
Reversed territorial logic of — first foreign seizure of Russian soil since WWII Ukraine Launches Kursk Incursion into Russia
Marked dramatic internationalization of North Korea Deploys Troops to Fight in Russia
Russian participation suspended in 2023 citing NATO arms support triggered by New START Treaty Expires — No Replacement in Force
Cited as primary driver of European nuclear recalculation triggered by Macron Orders French Nuclear Warhead Increase and Announces Forward Deterrence Doctrine
Sahel nations turned to Wagner Group while Russia was also fighting Second Military Coup in Burkina Faso — Russia-Aligned Junta Takes Power
The Time Detectives® · Cadet Mission
Investigate This Event
Place it on the timeline. Earn points. Master the connections.
New to The Time Detectives?
Learn what it is →