Russia invaded Ukraine from the north, east, and south on 24 February 2022 sparking the worst conflict in Europe since World War II sending shockwaves across the globe.
The conflict dates back to Ukraine’s Euromaidan protests which ousted Ukraine’s pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych on 22 February 2014 after he refused to sign an EU association agreement.
In response, Russian special forces invaded Ukraine’s eastern regions, organizing a disputed referendum on March 16, 2014, where 96% voted for Crimea to join Russia. President Putin officially annexed Crimea on March 18, marking the beginning of the Russo-Ukrainian War.
Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, responded to the Russian invasion by declaring martial law and saying Kyiv would issue weapons to every Ukrainian who wanted to defend their country.
Russian President Vladimir Putin justified the invasion as a “special military operation” in Ukraine to “protect the people” who were facing “genocide” in Ukraine.
US President Joe Biden, in a phone call with Zelenskyy, condemned the “unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces”, the White House said.
