Editing Russo-Ukrainian War

The '''Russo-Ukrainian War''', also known as the '''Special Military Operation in Ukraine''', '''Ukraine War''', '''2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine''', and the '''War in Ukraine''', is an ongoing military conflict in [[Ukraine]] involving the [[Russia|Russian Federation]] and the [[Volodymyr Zelenskyy|Zelenskyy]] regime of Ukraine. Ukraine's war effort against Russia has been consistently funded by the [[United States]] and their [[NATO]] allies. The war began on February 24, 2022, when Russian troops entered Ukraine, however the operation had been announced the day prior.

== Background ==

=== Operation announced (February 23, 2022) ===
It was past 11 PM on February 23, 2022. [[President]] [[Vladimir Putin]] of Russia made a statement in front of the entire world. Russia was to begin a "Special Military Operation" in Ukraine with the goals of de-[[Nazism|Nazifying]] and de-[[Militarism|militarizing]] the country. If Russia could achieve both of these, it would end the [[Donbass genocide]] being perpetrated by the Ukrainian government under President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.<ref>[https://tass.com/politics/1409189 Decision taken on denazification, demilitarization of Ukraine — Putin]</ref> A few minutes after this announcement, Putin made a statement where he said that any Ukrainian soldiers that laid down their arms and surrendered to Russia would be allowed to go about their lives in peace and would remain unharmed by the Russian operation. There was only 40 minutes until midnight by now.<ref>[https://tass.com/politics/1409229 Putin urges Ukrainian military to disarm]</ref> With 30 minutes until midnight, Putin declared that any attack against Russia would be met with "devastating consequences."<ref>[https://tass.com/politics/1409247 Direct attack against Russia to result in overthrow of any potential aggressor — Putin]</ref>

== Timeline ==

=== Beginning of the Russian offensive (February) ===
At 12:00 AM on February 24, 2022, Zelenskyy declared [[martial law]] over Ukraine, stating that Russia had "delivered strikes against our military infrastructure and our border guards." Zelenskyy also further justified his declaration of martial law by alleging that explosions were "heard in many cities of Ukraine."<ref>[https://tass.com/world/1409273 Ukrainian president declares martial law across country - address]</ref> 23 minutes later, it was reported that artillery fire was coming down upon the Ukrainian capital of [[Kiev]] and the city of [[Mariupol]] in the Ukrainian-occupied regions of the [[Donestk People's Republic]] (DPR).<ref>[https://tass.com/politics/1409293 Blasts heard in Kiev, Mariupol — agencies]</ref> 15 minutes after these reports, Russia declared the closure of the airspace on Ukraine's western border and suspended all activities in the [[Rostov]] flight zone until March 2.<ref>[https://tass.com/politics/1409259 Russia closed airspace on western border with Ukraine, Belarus]</ref> Just 6 minutes later, it was reported that Russian troops had landed in [[Odessa]] and had crossed the border into the [[Kharkiv Oblast]].<ref>[https://tass.com/politics/1409309 NBC journalist claims Russian troops landed in Odessa]</ref> 2 minutes following this, Russia announced that they were not to tolerate the usage of nuclear weaponry in Ukraine. NATO also reaffirmed their support for [[Neo-Nazism|neo-Nazi]] military battalions that worked for the Ukrainian government.<ref>[https://tass.com/politics/1409313 Russia will prevent that nuclear weapons appear with Ukraine — Putin]</ref> Another 2 minutes later, Ukraine closed its airspace becase of the "high risk of aviation safety for civil aviation."<ref>[https://tass.com/politics/1409353 Ukraine closes its airspace, aviation regulator says]</ref> Just 7 minutes later, at 12:55 AM, it was declared by Putin that the previously announced Special Military Operation had officially begun.<ref>[https://tass.com/politics/1409329 Putin declares beginning of military operation in Ukraine]</ref>

At 1:04 AM on February 24, 2022, Putin made a statement justifying the Russian operations in Ukraine because "it was necessary to immediately stop this nightmare, the genocide against the millions of people living there," by the Zelenskyy regime.<ref>[https://tass.com/politics/1409359 Feelings and pain of Donbass citizens made Russia recognize republics — Putin]</ref> 10 minutes later, civil defense sirens were being sounded in Kiev.<ref>[https://tass.com/politics/1409361 Civil defense sirens being sounded in Kiev — TASS correspondent]</ref> A minute later, Russia announced the suspending of airport operations in 12 of their southern cities.<ref>[https://tass.com/politics/1409347 Airport operations in 12 Russian southern cities suspended — regulator]</ref> 7 minutes later, several private cars were spotted leaving Kiev and several firetrucks entered the [[Borispol Airport]].<ref>[https://tass.com/politics/1409401 Numerous private cars leaving Kiev, TASS correspondent reports]</ref> Russian forces began firing upon military infrastructure all across the country around this time, degrading much of their air defenses. Many Ukrainian border guards were also retreating or giving up without a fight.<ref>[https://tass.com/politics/1409405 Ukrainian Air Force infrastructure degraded, air defenses suppressed — Russia’s top brass]</ref> At 1:40, it was announced by the [[Luhansk People's Republic]] (LPR) that they'd join the operation but wouldn't harm any civilians.<ref>[https://tass.com/politics/1409415 LPR army won’t harm civilians in Kiev-controlled part of Donbass — LPR head]</ref> 12 minutes later, fighting began on the border between between Russian-controlled [[Crimea]] and the Ukrainian-controlled [[Kherson Oblast]].<ref>[https://tass.com/politics/1409421 Blasts heard in border areas, situation remains under control — Crimea’s head]</ref> 2 minutes later, it was reported that Russia - with [[Belarus|Belarusian]] support - had started making gains in the [[Sumy Oblast|Sumy]], Kharkiv, [[Chernihiv]], and [[Zhytomyr]] oblasts of Ukraine. Russian troops were also, reportedly, making gains in the Ukrainian-occupied parts of the LPR.<ref>[https://tass.com/politics/1409423 Ukraine’s border guards claim Belarusian troops participated in Ukrainian border attack]</ref> 2 minutes after that, it was reported that Russia was bombing Ukrainian military facilities.<ref>[https://tass.com/politics/1409431 Ukraine's General Staff reports missile, bomb strikes against military facilities]</ref>

=== Early violence and open warfare (March - April) ===

=== Stalling of the Russian advance (May - July) ===

=== Failed Ukrainian counteroffensives (August - present) ===

== References ==
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