Russia’s war with Ukraine - A Timeline of the conflict starting with the Russian Invasion


 


During a contentious meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office on February 28, Trump and Vice President JD Vance accused Zelensky of being insufficiently grateful for U.S. support to Ukraine in the war with Russia. Zelensky “is not ready for Peace,” Trump wrote on social media. He said Zelensky had “disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office” and “can come back when he is ready for Peace.” Zelensky spoke with several European leaders afterward, with many of them expressing unequivocal solidarity. In an interview on Friday night with Fox News, Zelensky said he thought the relationship between the two countries could still be salvaged.

If you are like me, you find the meeting both surprising and a bit distasteful, as the tone of the exchange on the part of our leaders appeared to be very confrontational.

While right-wing-leaning news sources seemed to paint a picture of a disrespectful Ukrainian leader, one such reporter called out his attire from the crowd of press reporters in attendance.

CNN said that Zelensky was wearing “what has become his standard uniform—drab military shirt and pants.” Zelensky did not belie any tension with Trump, who had walked through the halls of the West Wing to greet him.

“Oh you’re all dressed up,” Trump said with an air of sarcasm as he greeted Zelensky and shook his hand.

“I will wear a costume after this war will finish, yes,” Zelensky said, responding in English.to the reporters comment. “Maybe something like yours, yes, maybe something better. I don’t know, we will see. Maybe something cheaper. Thank you.”

It’s at this point you have to ask, given Elon Musk’s choice of attire in White House meetings, a T-Shirt, baseball cap and a small child carried on his shoulders, “How important is an official dress code when meeting the US President and his staff?”

That meeting on February 28 did not end as it was planned, with a press conference and signing ceremony where Ukraine would surrender mineral rights in exchange for protection against the Russian invaders.

One of the most common ideas that Trump has purported is that Ukraine somehow started the hostilities that led to Russian troops advancing across its borders. This statement is patently false and I feel it is my duty to clarify this misstatement (lie) with a short overview of the war in Ukraine as it stands.

Once again, I must disclose that artificial intelligence was used to assist in writing this article, but I also did my diligence in backing claims made with supporting statements made in the news media. Those who ignore history are just fucking doomed. Don’t be stupid.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine began on February 24, 2022, and has since become the largest conflict in Europe since World War II. Below is a detailed rundown of key events from the start of the invasion to the present.

1. The Lead-Up to the Invasion

  • Late 2021 - Early 2022: Russia amasses over 100,000 troops along Ukraine’s borders under the pretext of military exercises. The Kremlin issues demands, including Ukraine’s neutrality and NATO withdrawing forces from Eastern Europe.
  • February 21, 2022: Russia recognizes the self-proclaimed republics of Donetsk and Luhansk in Eastern Ukraine and sends in "peacekeeping" forces.

2. Russia’s Initial Assault (Feb - Mar 2022)

  • February 24, 2022: Russia launches a full-scale invasion from the north (Belarus), east (Russia), and south (Crimea).
  • Key Russian goals:
    • Capture Kyiv (the Ukrainian capital) to install a pro-Russian government.
    • Seize strategic cities, including Kharkiv, Mariupol, and Odessa.
  • Ukrainian resistance: Ukrainian forces, led by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, mount strong resistance. Western nations impose heavy sanctions on Russia.
  • March 2022: Russia fails to capture Kyiv and begins withdrawing from Northern Ukraine.

3. Focus on Eastern Ukraine & Donbas (April - July 2022)

  • April 2022: Russia shifts its military focus to Donbas (eastern Ukraine) after failing to take Kyiv.
  • May 2022: Russia captures Mariupol after a brutal siege, including the destruction of the Azovstal steel plant.
  • June - July 2022: Russian forces make slow gains in Luhansk but struggle to advance further.

4. Ukraine’s Counteroffensive (Aug - Dec 2022)

  • August - September 2022: Ukraine launches a major counteroffensive in the Kharkiv region, recapturing thousands of square miles.
  • November 2022: Ukraine liberates Kherson, the only regional capital Russia had seized, forcing Russian forces to retreat across the Dnipro River.

5. 2023: Stalemate & Attrition Warfare

  • Winter 2022 - Spring 2023: Russia attempts to capture Bakhmut, leading to some of the war’s bloodiest battles.
  • June 2023: Ukraine launches another counteroffensive in Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk, but progress is slow due to Russian defensive fortifications.
  • September - December 2023: Fighting continues in Avdiivka, Robotyne, and Bakhmut, with heavy losses on both sides.

6. 2024: Continued War & International Support

  • Early 2024: Ukraine struggles with a shortage of Western aid, while Russia intensifies drone and missile strikes.
  • Western Support: The U.S., EU, and NATO continue sending military aid, but political divisions in the West delay further assistance.
  • Russia’s Economy & Military Production: Despite sanctions, Russia increases military production, relying on Iranian drones and North Korean artillery.
  • Ukraine’s Challenges: With a manpower shortage, Ukraine considers new conscription measures and struggles with defense industry limitations.

Current Situation (March 2025)

  • Stalemate continues, with both sides engaged in trench warfare in the east.
  • Ukrainian drone strikes have reached deep into Russian territory, targeting supply lines.
  • Russia continues missile and drone attacks, devastating Ukrainian infrastructure.
  • Peace talks remain unlikely, as both sides refuse to compromise on territorial claims.

Key Takeaways

  • Russia failed its initial goal of a quick victory and now fights a war of attrition.
  • Ukraine’s counteroffensives have recaptured territory but struggle to break through Russian defenses.
  • Western aid remains crucial to Ukraine’s survival, but political uncertainty affects support.
  • Russia has adapted, strengthening defenses and increasing military production despite sanctions.
  • The war remains unresolved, with no clear end in sight.

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Biden Administration Counters China with a New Alliance Between Japan and South Korea

Image
  South Korea and Japan have had a mutual antipathy that goes back decades, linked to Japan’s brutal colonial rule of Korea (Storey, 2021) from 1910-1945 as well as long-simmering territorial disputes in the East China Sea (2021). That has fueled such acrimony in South Korea that until relatively recently public opinion polls in the country have rated Japanese leaders only slightly more popular  than North Korea’s (2013). Japan and South Korea committed to allying against China using a language of cooperation that would have been impossible just two years ago. The two countries have aligned their foreign policies and agreed to a significant expansion of bilateral security cooperation to offset China’s perceived regional threat. The two countries have also committed to defense spending increases aimed at addressing Beijing’s dramatic expansion of its military forces. The Biden Administration's foreign policy has taken a significant turn by fostering a robust trilateral al...
Read more

The Biden Administration Boosts Gun Violence Prevention and Gun Safety

Image
After the 2022 massacre of 19 children and two teachers at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, the Biden administration called for stricter gun legislation. The Uvalde shooting spurred a do-nothing Congress to propose the first significant gun safety law in 30 years, which President Biden signed in June of 2022. The president took further action on his own. Gun violence is a persistent and critical issue in the United States, claiming thousands of lives each year. From mass shootings to daily incidents of gun-related homicides and suicides, the impact on communities is profound. Recognizing the urgency of this issue, the Biden administration has prioritized gun violence prevention and gun safety, implementing a range of measures aimed at curbing the epidemic. Let’s explore the initiatives the Biden administration took to address gun violence, highlighting the key actions and their potential impact on public safety. Before delving into the specifics of the Biden administration...
Read more

What the 2024 Debate Would Tell Us about the upcoming Presidential Election

Image
  The 2024 presidential debates are poised to offer crucial insights into the upcoming election. These debates are not just opportunities for candidates to present their policies and argue their platforms; they are pivotal events that can shape public perception, sway undecided voters, and crystallize the key issues of the election cycle. Here are several ways the 2024 debates might give us a clearer picture of what to expect in November. At this debate, hosted by CNN, President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump traded barbs, and a variety of false and misleading information as they faced off in their first debate of the 2024 election. As a candidate, Trump showed off his greatest weakness, having had a terrible track record as a leader, and a capacity to lie about the details of his misdeeds. For instance, Number 45’s revisionist account of the January 6th assault on the capitol as a “…relatively small number of people who were ushered in by police ,” doesn’t stand...
Read more