Russo-Ukrainian War: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 21:59, 22 October 2022

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 Russian Federation and the 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-Nazifying and de-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.^[1] 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.^[2] With 30 minutes until midnight, Putin declared that any attack against Russia would be met with "devastating consequences."^[3]

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."^[4] 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).^[5] 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.^[6] Just 6 minutes later, it was reported that Russian troops had landed in Odessa and had crossed the border into the Kharkiv Oblast.^[7] 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-Nazi military battalions that worked for the Ukrainian government.^[8] Another 2 minutes later, Ukraine closed its airspace becase of the "high risk of aviation safety for civil aviation."^[9] Just 7 minutes later, at 12:55 AM, it was declared by Putin that the previously announced Special Military Operation had officially begun.^[10]

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.^[11] 10 minutes later, civil defense sirens were being sounded in Kiev.^[12] A minute later, Russia announced the suspending of airport operations in 12 of their southern cities.^[13] 7 minutes later, several private cars were spotted leaving Kiev and several firetrucks entered the Borispol Airport.^[14] 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.^[15] 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.^[16] 12 minutes later, fighting began on the border between between Russian-controlled Crimea and the Ukrainian-controlled Kherson Oblast.^[17] 2 minutes later, it was reported that Russia - with Belarusian support - had started making gains in the Sumy, Kharkiv, Chernihiv, and Zhytomyr oblasts of Ukraine. Russian troops were also, reportedly, making gains in the Ukrainian-occupied parts of the LPR.^[18] 2 minutes after that, it was reported that Russia was bombing Ukrainian military facilities.^[19]

Early violence and open warfare (March - April)

Stalling of the Russian advance (May - July)

Failed Ukrainian counteroffensives (August - present)

References

[1] Decision taken on denazification, demilitarization of Ukraine — Putin

[2] Putin urges Ukrainian military to disarm

[3] Direct attack against Russia to result in overthrow of any potential aggressor — Putin

[4] Ukrainian president declares martial law across country - address

[5] Blasts heard in Kiev, Mariupol — agencies

[6] Russia closed airspace on western border with Ukraine, Belarus

[7] NBC journalist claims Russian troops landed in Odessa

[8] Russia will prevent that nuclear weapons appear with Ukraine — Putin

[9] Ukraine closes its airspace, aviation regulator says

[10] Putin declares beginning of military operation in Ukraine

[11] Feelings and pain of Donbass citizens made Russia recognize republics — Putin

[12] Civil defense sirens being sounded in Kiev — TASS correspondent

[13] Airport operations in 12 Russian southern cities suspended — regulator

[14] Numerous private cars leaving Kiev, TASS correspondent reports

[15] Ukrainian Air Force infrastructure degraded, air defenses suppressed — Russia’s top brass

[16] LPR army won’t harm civilians in Kiev-controlled part of Donbass — LPR head

[17] Blasts heard in border areas, situation remains under control — Crimea’s head

[18] Ukraine’s border guards claim Belarusian troops participated in Ukrainian border attack

[19] Ukraine's General Staff reports missile, bomb strikes against military facilities

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