timeline
Russia’s war in Ukraine
Russia’s war against Ukraine spans more than a decade, beginning with the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and intensifying in 2022. This timeline outlines milestones in the ongoing conflict.
2013–2014
Political upheaval & Crimea's seizure
Mass protests in Kyiv topple Ukraine’s government. Weeks later, Russia annexes Crimea.
protests erupt in ukraine
November 2013–February 2014
Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych halts Ukraine's planned trade agreement with the European Union, opting to restore economic ties with Russia. The decision sparks mass protests in Kyiv.
russia annexes crimea
February–March 2014
Seizing on Ukraine's instability, Russian forces annex the Crimean Peninsula.
yanukovych flees to russia
February 2014
After months of demonstrations, President Yanukovych flees to Russia. A new pro-Western interim government takes power.
2014–2015
War in Donbas & failed peace efforts
After Russia’s annexation of Crimea, fighting erupts in eastern Ukraine as pro-Russian separatists seize territory while ceasefire agreements repeatedly fail to halt the violence.
ukraine launches anti-terrorist operation
April 2014
Ukraine begins an anti-terrorist operation, deploying military forces to reclaim eastern Ukraine from separatists.
the minsk i agreement is signed
September 2014
Ukraine and Russian-backed separatists sign the Minsk I Agreement to establish a ceasefire in eastern Ukraine. However, fighting resumes within days as both sides deploy weapons in restricted areas.
separatists claim territory
April 2014
Pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine seize government buildings and declare self-proclaimed "people's republics" in Donetsk and Luhansk.
malaysia airlines flight is shot down
July 2014
A Russian-made missile shoots down Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 over separatist-held eastern Ukraine, killing all 298 people aboard.
the minsk ii agreement is signed
February 2015
Ukraine, Russia and separatist leaders sign the Minsk II Agreement, brokered by France and Germany to restore a ceasefire. However, fighting continues around key areas like Debaltseve.
separatists capture debaltseve
February 2015
After weeks of heavy fighting, pro-Russian separatists, backed by Russian forces, capture the eastern Ukrainian city of Debaltseve.
2016–2021
Stalemate & rising tensions
Years of low-intensity fighting continue in eastern Ukraine despite ceasefire efforts, as Russia builds up troops near Ukraine's border.
ongoing ceasefire violations
2015–2022
Following Minsk II, the war settles into a prolonged stalemate marked by occasional clashes in the Donbas region. Both sides accuse each other of violating the Minsk Agreements.
ukraine affirms nato ambitions
June 2017
Ukraine's parliament passes a law making NATO membership a key foreign policy goal.
kerch strait incident
November 2018
Russian forces seize three Ukrainian naval vessels and capture 24 sailors near Crimea, escalating tensions between the nations.
zelenskyy elected
April 2019
Volodymyr Zelenskyy is elected president of Ukraine in a landslide victory, vowing to put an end to the war.
buildup of russian forces
March–April 2021
Russia deploys more than 100,000 troops near Ukraine’s border and in Crimea, fueling international concern over a possible large-scale invasion.
2022
Invasion & Ukrainian resistance
Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine sparks one of Europe's largest wars in decades. Ukrainian troops defend their cities, halting Russia's early advances and rallying international aid.
russia launches full-scale invasion
February 2022
Russia launches a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, sending troops from Belarus, Russia and Crimea.
bucha massacre revealed
April 2022
After Russia’s withdrawal from the Kyiv suburb of Bucha, evidence of mass civilian killings emerges, sparking calls for war crime investigations.
ukraine defends kyiv
March 2022
Ukrainian troops successfully defend Kyiv against Russia's initial assault, forcing Russian troops to withdraw from several areas surrounding the city.
siege of mariupol
May 2022
Russian troops surround Mariupol, devastating the city's infrastructure and killing thousands of civilians before capturing the city.
iran sends shipment of drones to russia
August 2022
Iran sends its first shipment of drones to Russia for use against Ukraine, marking the beginning of a long-term drone supply partnership.
fall counteroffensive
August–November 2022
Ukraine launches a counteroffensive against major cities in the northeast and south. Ukrainian forces liberate the city of Kherson and the region of Kharkiv.
crimea bridge attack
October 2022
An explosion severely damages the Crimean Bridge, the only direct link between Russia and Crimea. Ukraine’s domestic intelligence agency later claims responsibility for the attack.
president zelenskyy visits the white house
December 2022
In his first trip abroad since the Russian invasion, President Zelenskyy addresses the U.S. Congress and secures the continuation of aid.
2023–2026
Enduring war & an uncertain future
The war grinds on with mounting casualties.
icc issues an arrest warrant for putin
March 2023
The International Criminal Court issues an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin, accusing him of unlawful deportation of children from occupied areas of Ukraine to Russia. Moscow dismisses the accusation.
russia claims bakhmut
May 2023
Russian forces claim control of the eastern city of Bakhmut after more than nine months of fighting, a battle that resulted in heavy losses on both sides.
wagner mutiny
June 2023
The Wagner Group, a private Russian military organization, stages a mutiny, claiming the Russian army is withholding support. Leader Yevgeny Prigozhin marches toward Moscow but reaches a deal with the Kremlin. Two months later, Prigozhin and other Wagner leaders die in a plane crash.
eu accession talks
December 2023
European Union leaders approve the start of accession negotiations with Ukraine, a significant step forward in Kyiv’s pursuit of EU membership.
ukraine loses avdiivka
February 2024
After months of intense fighting, Ukrainian troops withdraw from Avdiivka in the Donetsk region.
russia launches largest air attack
September 2025
Russia launches its largest air attack of the war, firing more than 800 drones and missiles across Ukraine, striking Kyiv and major infrastructure.
istanbul talks
May 2025
Ukraine and Russia meet for peace talks in Istanbul. Although no ceasefire is agreed, both sides carry out the conflict’s largest prisoner-of-war exchange, swapping 1,000 prisoners each.
ukraine strikes russian industrial site
February 2026
Ukraine strikes a major Russian facility producing ballistic missiles in the remote Udmurtia region.
zelenskyy confirms ukrainian soldier death toll
January 2026
Zelenskyy announces that 55,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed in battle over the past four years.
un confirms ukrainian civilian death toll
February 2026
The United Nations announces that more than 15,000 Ukrainian civilians have been killed since the full-scale invasion.
