After weeks-long buildup of troops began along the Ukrainian border earlier this year, Russian President Vladimir Putin launched an invasion on independent Ukraine. Historically speaking, Russia controlled the Texas-sized country of up until 1991, and Putin began using this fact as justification for his invasion, claiming ownership over it.
According to Global Conflict Tracker, the crisis has displaced nearly 3.5 million civilians. While the United States has not directly interfered in the crisis, the US Department of Defense reports giving over $1 billion in assistance to Ukraine this year. Countries around the world have taken similar measures, and peace talks continue as world leaders hope for an end to violence. The timeline of the conflict looks like this:
February 24, 2022
Putin launches a “special military operation” on Ukraine, and US President Joe Biden freezes Russian assets in response.
February 25, 2022
As reported by AP News, world leaders urge President Zelensky to evacuate his country, to which he responds with a powerful speech to his people and the world, most notably saying, “I need ammunition, not a ride.”
March 1, 2022
The United Nations held an emergency meeting that concluded with the countries calling for a withdrawal of Russian forces within Ukraine and further isolated the expansive state.
March 4, 2022
Russian forces attack the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine, causing mass panic and uproar. According to Nature, a building close to the nuclear plant had been hit by a missile, but did not cause any extensive structural damage or radioactivity.
March 9, 2022
A Russian airstrike targeting a maternity and children’s hospital leaves many of its patients buried and injured, according to USA Today. At the time of this article’s publication, the World Health Organization confirmed 43 known attacks on medical facilities as of March 17.
March 16, 2022
President Zelensky delivers a speech to the United States Congress, asking for them to implement a no-fly zone over his country and for military assistance for his cause.
March 24, 2022
President Biden announces that the US will accept 100,000 Ukrainian refugees into the country.
March 24, 2022
An emergency NATO meeting gets held in order for world leaders to discuss a response to Russia’s recent aggression. According to NPR, the NATO allies have stayed “remarkably united” throughout the crisis.
April 3, 2022 (Updated April 5th)
Russian forces begin withdrawal from Kyiv, Chernihiv, and Sumy Oblasts. Russia still controls significant territory in the Donetsk and Luhansk basins. War crimes committed by Russians are uncovered in the town of Bucha, PBS News reports.
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