Full-scale Russo-Ukrainian war

On 24 February 2022, Russia initiated a large-scale invasion of Ukraine, which was a significant escalation of the ongoing conflict that began in 2014. The invasion led to extensive military and civilian casualties, with hundreds of thousands of military personnel and tens of thousands of Ukrainian civilians affected.

As of August 2026, approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory remains under Russian occupation. The conflict has resulted in about 8 million internally displaced Ukrainians and 6 to 7 million fleeing the country, contributing to Europe's largest refugee crisis since World War II.

The conflict's roots trace back to the post-Soviet relations between Russia and Ukraine, which were initially cordial following the Soviet Union's dissolution in 1991. Ukraine's signing of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in 1994 and the Budapest Memorandum underscored commitments to its sovereignty.

Tensions escalated with the 2013 Euromaidan protests against President Yanukovych's decision to reject an EU association agreement under Russian pressure, leading to his ousting in 2014. Shortly after, Russia annexed Crimea and supported separatist movements in Donetsk and Luhansk, igniting the War in Donbas.

Following the invasion, Ukrainian forces enacted martial law, mobilized troops, and severed diplomatic ties with Russia. Initial Russian advances included assaults from multiple fronts, including Kyiv, where they faced significant resistance and logistical challenges, leading to a retreat by April 2022.

The conflict has been marked by severe human rights violations, with reports of attacks on civilians and allegations of genocide in occupied territories. The UN Human Rights Office has documented these violations, while the International Criminal Court has opened investigations into potential war crimes.

The invasion prompted widespread international condemnation, resulting in sanctions against Russia and Belarus, alongside military and humanitarian aid for Ukraine. Protests against the war occurred globally, while Russia responded with increased censorship and repression of dissent within its borders.

Despite various attempts at peace negotiations, including calls for a ceasefire, these efforts have stalled, and the conflict continues with ongoing military engagements and territorial disputes.

The war has inflicted significant economic costs, with estimates of over US$450 billion in direct costs for Russia and a reconstruction cost for Ukraine projected at US$588 billion by the World Bank Group. The conflict has also disrupted agricultural production and shipping in Ukraine, exacerbating global food crises and causing environmental damage described as ecocide.