The war in Ukraine took countless and unexpected turns from the Russian invasion in February 2022 to the adoption of a huge American aid plan for kyiv.
At the end of February, Ukraine reported 31,000 soldiers killed in the conflict. Russia, for its part, does not disclose data on its casualties.
Invasion
On February 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin announces a “military operation” in Ukraine to defend the “republics” pro-Russian separatists, whose independence he had recognized three days earlier.
Putin demands that Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014, be recognized by Ukraine as Russian territory. He also calls for the “denazification” of the Ukrainian government, for Ukraine to have a “neutral status” and guarantees that it will never join NATO.
The European Union (EU) reports that it will finance the purchase and delivery of weapons to Ukraine. The United States announces billions of dollars in military aid. The West begins to apply economic sanctions against Russia.
On February 28, the first negotiations between Russia and Ukraine take place.
But on March 3, the Russians take over a large city, Kherson (south), in a key area for Ukrainian agriculture and strategic because it borders Crimea.
Resistance in kyiv and horror in Bucha
The Russian army tries to surround kyiv, the capital, but encounters fierce resistance.
On April 2, Ukraine announces that it has regained control of the region. Moscow then focuses its offensive in the south and in the Donbas basin, under partial control of pro-Russian separatists since 2014.
After the withdrawal of the Russians, dozens of civilian bodies are discovered in Bucha and other towns near kyiv. The International Criminal Court (ICC) opens an investigation.
Conquest of Mariupol
From the beginning of the offensive, the Russian army besieged Mariupol (southeast), a strategic port on the shores of the Sea of Azov that allows the connection of Crimea with the separatist areas of Donbas.
Some 2,500 Ukrainian fighters, entrenched in the Azovstal steel mill along with a thousand civilians, resisted until mid-May.
Counteroffensive in the south
In August, Ukrainian forces launch a counteroffensive to regain control of Kherson and its region.
According to kyiv, dozens of villages were recovered, infrastructure and strategic bridges over the Dnieper destroyed, disorganizing the Russians’ supplies.
In early September, kyiv launched a surprise attack in the Kharkiv region (east).
On the 11th, kyiv claims the reconquest of strategic cities such as Kupiansk and Izium.
Partial mobilization and annexations
On September 21, Putin announces a “partial mobilization” (300,000 reservists called up), triggering demonstrations and a flight of thousands of men abroad.
The Russian president threatens to use nuclear weapons to defend Russia against the West.
From September 23 to 27, the authorities installed by Moscow in four Ukrainian regions – Lugansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporiya – organize referendums on annexation to Russia, described as “simulacrum” by the West.
On September 30, Putin ratifies the annexation.
Attacks against energy infrastructure
On October 8, an explosion occurs on the bridge that connects Crimea with Russia and causes significant damage.
Putin accuses the Ukrainian secret services.
On October 10, Russian forces carry out massive bombing raids on cities across Ukraine, including kyiv. The attacks mainly target energy infrastructure and leave millions of people without electricity.
Withdrawal from Kherson
On November 9, Moscow orders its troops to withdraw from the city of Kherson in the face of advancing Ukrainian forces.
The measure comes days after Russia stated that it had finished evacuating tens of thousands of civilians from that region to territories under its control. Ukraine denounces this operation as a “deportation”.
Western weapons
In January 2023, the Russian army, reinforced by 300,000 Wagner reservists and paramilitaries, returns to the offensive.
kyiv obtains modern tanks from its allies, in particular German Leopard.
In May, Washington promises Abrams tanks and authorizes the delivery of F-16 fighter jets.
Despite this, after months of fierce fighting, Russia announces on May 20 the conquest of Bakhmut.
Failure of the Ukrainian offensive
The Ukrainian counteroffensive is launched in June on the southern and eastern fronts, but runs into powerful defensive lines. The operation is a failure.
In mid-February 2024, the Ukrainian army withdraws from Vdiivka, near Donetsk, giving Moscow its first significant territorial success since the capture of Bakhmut.
Since then, Russian soldiers continue to gain ground in Donbas.
Russia resumes its attacks on the Ukrainian power grid in retaliation for a bombing of its oil refineries.
US aid
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky promulgates a law that facilitates enlistment and calls on the West to prove that Ukraine is “really your ally”.
In Washington, after months of stagnation, the House of Representatives approves a US$61 billion package for Ukraine on April 23.
Source: Gestion
Ricardo is a renowned author and journalist, known for his exceptional writing on top-news stories. He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he is known for his ability to deliver breaking news and insightful analysis on the most pressing issues of the day.
