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The invasion of Ukraine in 20 key moments

2023-06-24 12:37:01 Updated on 2023-06-24 12:38:26

Since February 24, 2022, Russia has launched a war against its neighbor Ukraine. Since then, the West has sided with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the defense of his country against Vladimir Putin and his men. On February 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a speech to the nation, gave the green light for his troops to enter Ukraine. The West suspected the possibility of such aggression. Speaking on Russian state television, Putin announced the launch of what he called a "special military operation" to "demilitarize" and "denazify" Ukraine.

Kyiv bombed

In the early hours of February 24, 2022, Vladimir Putin's troops strike Ukraine's capital, Kyiv. Putin's decision comes as a shock to the entire world, which fears the spectre of a Third World War.

Snake Island

Vladimir Putin is threatening "consequences you have never known in your history" to anyone who tries to intervene in the conflict between his country and Ukraine. Despite this, Ukraine is determined to fight back. On February 25, an exchange between Ukrainian and Russian fighters became a symbol of this defiance. Outnumbered and ordered to surrender by an approaching Russian ship, a small group of Ukrainian troops (pictured) stationed on Snake Island, a tiny but strategic outpost in the Black Sea, radioed back, "Russian warship: Go f*ck yourself."

The Battle of Antonov

The capture of Antonov Airfield, a major cargo airport just north of Kyiv, was the first major victory for the Russians. But it did not go according to Moscow's plan. By the time Ukrainian troops withdrew from the area, the airport had suffered so much damage that it was impossible for Russia to use it for resupply. The world's largest aircraft, the Antonov An-225, was destroyed during the battle. This same plane had come to the rescue of Canada for the delivery of Covid vaccines a year earlier.

Volodymyr Zelensky rises

Following the chaos of the early hours of the war, rumors circulated that the Ukrainian leadership was fleeing. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his team responded with a video of themselves in the center of Kyiv, reassuring the nation: "We are all here to defend our independence, our state and it will remain so. Glory to our defenders! Glory to our women defenders! Glory to Ukraine!" The president had refused an American offer of evacuation, according to the Ukrainian government, saying, "I need ammunition, not a lift."

Save the day

Faced with the brutality of the Russian invasion, hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian civilians are being forced to flee the country. The U.N. refugee agency (UNHCR) said at least 100,000 people left their homes in the first 24 hours of the military assault. Thousands of cars lined up at the borders, with people waiting days to cross into neighboring Poland. Many others fled by train, waiting for days at stations to cram into overcrowded rail cars. the majority were women, children, and the elderly, as men of fighting age were prohibited from leaving the country.

Irpin Bridge

As Russian troops begin to approach Kyiv, residents of the capital's northwestern suburbs are caught up in one of the most violent street battles. The main bridge across the Irpin River was destroyed by Ukrainians to thwart a Russian advance, making evacuations difficult. According to Ukrainian authorities, hundreds of civilians have died trying to flee.

Attack on Mariupol Maternity Hospital

All the horror of war is captured in this attack. On March 9, 2022, a maternity hospital in the southeastern city of Mariupol was hit by a Russian missile. The attack took place after Russia had agreed to a 12-hour pause in hostilities to allow for the evacuation of refugees.

Bombing of the Mariupol theater

The bombing of the Mariupol theater on March 16 was one of Russia's harshest attacks on civilians. Ukrainian authorities estimated that 1,300 people had taken refuge in the theater, in the center of a city that had been under siege for weeks. The word "CHILDREN" had been painted on the ground in front of the building in giant letters that could be seen from the air, in an attempt to spare the theater from the Russian army.

The atrocities of Bucha

When Russian troops withdrew from Bucha in early April, they left behind massive destruction and evidence of summary executions, brutality and indiscriminate shelling. International experts from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe said they found "grave violations" of international humanitarian law by Russian forces.

The sinking of the Moskva

The Moskva, the flagship of Russia's Black Sea fleet, sank on April 14. Ukraine said it hit the Moskva with anti-ship cruise missiles, setting off a fire that detonated stored munitions. Russia blamed a fire of unknown origin. The loss of the guided-missile cruiser was a major setback for Russia and its largest wartime ship loss in 40 years.

Mariupol Steel Plant

The massive Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol has become another symbol of Ukrainian resistance against a much larger enemy. The plant's defenders withstood weeks of relentless Russian bombardment before finally surrendering in May. Ukrainian officials praised the fighters, saying their staunch defense of the complex had blocked Russian forces and prevented the capture of Zaporizhzhia, further west.

Kharkiv liberated

In the fall, a lightning counteroffensive by the Ukrainians in the east of the country began. In September, the attack recaptured large swaths of territory from Russian troops. Putin's soldiers fled the Kharkiv region. Moscow tried to present this hasty withdrawal as a "regrouping". Ukrainians find their city in a disastrous state.

Partial mobilization in Russia

After a series of embarrassing defeats in Ukraine, Vladimir Putin announced on September 21 the first mobilization of Russia since World War II. The controversial announcement sparked protests - a rarity in Russia - and an exodus of men of fighting age. The mobilization greatly increased the number of Russian troops.

Crimean Bridge Attack

In another blow to Moscow, the only bridge connecting Russia to the Crimean peninsula was severely damaged in an explosion. The Kerch Strait road and rail bridge was inaugurated by Putin in 2018, four years after Russia illegally annexed Crimea.

Energy infrastructure targeted

In October, Moscow changed its strategy. A new phase of the war began when Russia launched the first of several waves of missile strikes on Ukraine's critical energy infrastructure. These attacks targeted Ukrainian power facilities, leaving large parts of the country without electricity and water.

Kherson liberated

After eight months of brutal Russian occupation, the southern city of Kherson was liberated on November 12, prompting scenes of celebration from residents. Russia's hasty withdrawal from the western bank of the Dnipro River was another tough moment for Moscow. Putin himself had officially declared Kherson to be Russian territory only weeks before his troops retreated.

Zelensky at the White House

On December 21, Volodymyr Zelensky travels to Washington, DC, to meet with U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House and address the U.S. Congress. It was the Ukrainian president's first foreign trip since Russia launched its invasion of his country. The Biden administration announced that it was sending nearly $2 billion in additional security assistance to Ukraine - including the sophisticated new Patriot air defense system.

Tanks for Ukraine

After weeks of geopolitical wrangling, an important moment came on Jan. 25, 2023, when Germany announced it would supply Leopard 2 tanks to Kyiv and allow other European countries to export the German-made battle tank. At the same time, President Biden said the United States would send 31 M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine.

Biden visits Kyiv

Joe Biden made a surprise visit to Kyiv on February 20, 2023, his first since the invasion of Russia. Standing next to President Zelensky, the U.S. president said: "One year later, Kyiv stands. Ukraine stands. Democracy stands." The two leaders walked in Kyiv as air raid sirens sounded throughout the city.

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