The war in Ukraine, often called the Russo-Ukrainian War, has roots stretching back to early 2014, though many pinpoint its escalation with Russia's full- scale invasion on February 24, 2022.

Origins in 2014

Russia's involvement began amid Ukraine's Euromaidan Revolution. Disguised Russian troops—known as "little green men"—seized Crimea starting February 27, 2014, leading to its annexation after a disputed referendum.

Pro-Russian separatists, backed by Moscow, then declared "people's republics" in Donetsk and Luhansk in April 2014, sparking eight years of low-intensity conflict that claimed over 14,000 lives.

Ukrainian officials mark February 26, 2014, as the "Day of Resistance to the Occupation of Crimea" due to a rally against Russian interference.

Full-Scale Invasion (2022)

On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a massive assault from multiple fronts—north, east, and south—with missiles, airstrikes, and ground troops targeting Kyiv and beyond.

President Zelenskyy declared martial law and mobilized forces that day, framing it as an existential fight for sovereignty.

This phase transformed a regional conflict into Europe's largest war since World War II.

Multiple Perspectives

  • Russian view : Frames it as a "special military operation" to "denazify" and protect Russian speakers, denying 2014 aggression as organic separatism.
  • Ukrainian/Western consensus : Sees 2014 Crimea annexation as the true start, with 2022 as escalation of unprovoked imperialism.
  • Scholarly debate : Some trace it to February 20, 2014 (pre-invasion orders), or even earlier tensions post-2013 protests.

Phase| Key Date| Major Events| Casualties (Pre-2022)
---|---|---|---
Crimea Annexation 19| Feb 27, 2014| Russian troops storm parliament; referendum held| Minimal direct
Donbas War 37| Apr 12, 2014| Separatists seize Sloviansk; Minsk agreements fail| ~14,000 total 3
Full Invasion 59| Feb 24, 2022| Multi-front assault; Kyiv siege attempt| N/A (ongoing)

Ongoing Context (as of 2026)

By February 2026, the war persists with trench warfare in the east, drone strikes, and stalled peace talks amid U.S. aid shifts under President Trump. Early 2025 saw intense fighting near Kyiv and diplomatic pushes in Saudi Arabia, but no resolution.

TL;DR : Started February 2014 with Crimea; exploded February 24, 2022.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.