Chronology of the war in Ukraine, from the Russian invasion to the delivery of Leopard tanks to Kyiv

Russian invasion

On February 24, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin announces a “special military operation” to defend the pro-Russian separatist “republics” of Luhansk and Donetsk in eastern Ukraine after their independence has been recognized.

Putin claims “denazification” from the Ukrainian government and guarantees that the country will never join NATO.

The European Union (EU) announces the supply of arms to Ukraine, and Western countries begin to apply ever-tougher economic sanctions against Russia.

On March 3, the Russians capture the large city of Kherson (south).

The Russian army is trying to surround the capital Kyiv, but is met with fierce resistance.

Moscow then concentrates its offensive in the south. and in the Donbas basin, under the partial control of pro-Russian separatists since 2014.

After the Russians left the Kyiv region, dozens of bodies of civilians are found in Bucha and other nearby settlements. The International Criminal Court (ICC) is launching an investigation.

With the start of the offensive, the Russian army laid siege to Mariupol (southeast) – a strategic port on the shores of the Sea of ​​u200bu200bAzov.

About 2,500 Ukrainian fighters, who sat in the Azovstal steel plant, along with a thousand civilians, held out until mid-May.

According to the Ukrainian authorities, the battle destroyed 90% of the city and claimed the lives of 20,000 people.

In May, Sweden and Finland, fearful of future Russian attacks, put forward their candidacy for membership in NATO.

On July 22, Russia and Ukraine signed an agreement to resume grain exports in an attempt to alleviate a global food crisis caused by a blockade of tons of grain in Ukrainian ports.

Russian gas exports to Europe are declining. Western countries accuse Russia of “arming” energy supplies in response to sanctions.

In early July, Russian troops are trying to capture Bakhmut in the Donetsk region with the support of the Wagner militia.

In early September, Ukrainian troops launched a surprise attack in the Kharkiv region and reported the capture of cities of great logistical importance, such as Izyum, Kupyansk and Liman (east).

Since the beginning of August, both belligerents have been accusing each other of bombing the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant (south), the largest in Europe, occupied by the Russians since March.

In September, Putin threatens to use nuclear weapons to defend Russia from the West, which he accuses of wanting to “destroy” his country.

On September 21, Putin announces a “partial mobilization” of combat-age Russians (300,000 reservists called up), prompting thousands of men to flee abroad.

On September 30, he ratifies the annexation to Russia of four Ukrainian regions – Lugansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporozhye – in which “referendums” were organized, which the people of Kiev and Westerners call “exercises.”

October 8, an explosion occurred on the bridge connecting the Crimea with Russiawhich causes significant damage.

Putin blames the Ukrainian special services.

In response, Russian troops on October 10 carried out massive bombardments of cities throughout Ukraine, including Kyiv.

The attacks mainly target the energy infrastructure and leave millions of people without electricity.

November 11 Russian troops withdraw from the city of Kherson in the face of advancing Ukrainian troops.

On January 13, Moscow announced the capture of Soledad, a town near Bakhmut, which Russia had been trying to control for several months.

Wednesday, January 25 Kyiv finally admits that it has withdrawn from the city after “months of heavy fighting”.

Also on January 25, German Prime Minister Olaf Scholz authorizes the shipment of Leopard battle tanks to Ukraine, urging them to better defend against a Russian invasion.

Moscow calls the decision “extremely dangerous” and makes it clear that it will “bring the conflict to a new level of confrontation.”

(According to AFP)