**The Ukraine-Russia War: A Summary of Key Events**.
**February 24, 2022:**.
* Russia launches a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, targeting major cities such as Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Kherson..
* Ukraine declares a state of martial law and urges its citizens to take up arms in resistance..
* Western countries condemn the invasion and impose sanctions on Russia..
**March 2, 2022:**.
* Russian forces capture the southern city of Kherson, becoming the first major Ukrainian city to fall under Russian control..
* Ukraine reports heavy civilian casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure..
**March 16, 2022:**.
* Russian air strikes destroy a theater in Mariupol, where hundreds of civilians are sheltering..
* The International Criminal Court opens an investigation into potential war crimes committed in Ukraine..
**March 29, 2022:**.
* Russia focuses its offensive on the eastern Donbas region, targeting the cities of Luhansk and Donetsk..
* Ukrainian forces launch a counteroffensive in the north and liberate several towns and villages..
**April 2, 2022:**.
* Russian troops withdraw from the Kyiv and Chernihiv regions, shifting their focus to eastern Ukraine..
* Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accuses Russia of committing genocide in Bucha, a town near Kyiv..
**May 16, 2022:**.
* Russia captures Mariupol after weeks of intense fighting, effectively controlling the southeastern coast of Ukraine..
* Finland and Sweden formally apply to join NATO, a move seen as a response to Russia’s aggression..
**June 6, 2022:**.
* Russian forces launch a major offensive in eastern Ukraine, targeting the city of Severodonetsk..
* The United States and other Western countries provide Ukraine with heavy weapons, including long-range artillery and anti-ship missiles..
**July 3, 2022:**.
* Ukraine recaptures Snake Island in the Black Sea, a symbolic victory and boost to morale..
* Russian forces continue to bombard civilian areas in the Donbas..
**August 9, 2022:**.
* Ukraine launches a surprise counteroffensive in the Kherson region, aiming to retake lost territory..
* Russian forces respond with heavy artillery fire and air strikes..
**September 30, 2022:**.
* Russia annexes four Ukrainian regions: Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia..
* Ukraine and the international community condemn the annexation as illegal and illegitimate..
**October 8, 2022:**.
* Ukraine blows up the Kerch Strait Bridge connecting Russia to Crimea, dealing a significant blow to Russia’s supply lines..
* Russia responds with a series of missile attacks on Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv..
**November 15, 2022:**.
* A missile lands in Poland near the Ukrainian border, killing two people..
* NATO and Poland investigate the incident and determine that it was likely caused by Ukrainian air defense systems..
**December 21, 2022:**.
* Russia and Ukraine exchange dozens of prisoners in a swap mediated by Saudi Arabia..
* The war continues with no clear end in sight, causing widespread devastation and humanitarian suffering..
**February 24, 2023:**.
* The first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine..
* Both sides commemorate the grim milestone, with Ukraine vowing to continue fighting for its independence and Russia reiterating its determination to achieve its military objectives..
**The Ongoing Conflict**.
The Ukraine-Russia war remains an active conflict with no immediate resolution in sight. Russian forces continue to occupy parts of eastern and southern Ukraine, while Ukrainian forces are determined to liberate their territory. International efforts to mediate a ceasefire or peace agreement have so far failed..
The war has had a devastating impact on Ukraine, causing widespread destruction of infrastructure, civilian casualties, and a severe humanitarian crisis. The international community continues to provide support to Ukraine, both in terms of humanitarian aid and military assistance..
The outcome of the war remains uncertain. However, the resilience and determination shown by the Ukrainian people in the face of adversity have inspired admiration and support around the world..
