🛰️ Russia–Ukraine Conflict (2022–2025): Interactive Briefing & Analysis
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Conflict Structure Overview
Overview
The 2022 Russia–Ukraine conflict (called a "special military operation" by Russia and an "all-out Russian invasion" by Ukraine) refers to the large-scale military action launched by Russia against Ukraine.
On February 24, 2022, against a backdrop of NATO's eastward expansion and ongoing clashes in the Donbas region, President Vladimir Putin declared a "special military operation," formally igniting the conflict.
In the early phase, Russian forces attempted a "blitzkrieg," launching attacks from multiple directions (north, northeast, east, southeast, and south), quickly advancing toward key cities such as Kyiv and Kharkiv, and capturing strategic positions like Kherson.
Due to strong Ukrainian resistance, the Russian offensive stalled, and by the end of March, Russian troops withdrew from the Kyiv region.
After several months of fierce fighting, Russia eventually controlled about 20% of Ukrainian territory.
In September, Ukrainian forces launched a successful Kharkiv counteroffensive, balancing the strengths of both sides.
That same month, Russia organized referendums in Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson, subsequently annexing these regions.
By November, logistical setbacks forced Russian withdrawal from Kherson, ushering in a period of stalemate.
Throughout 2023 and into 2024, both sides launched offensives and counteroffensives, but the frontlines remained largely static.
In February 2024, Russia fully captured Avdiivka.
The Russia–Ukraine conflict is the bloodiest war in Europe since the end of World War II.
Western nations have imposed severe sanctions on Russia, causing initial shock to the Russian economy, which later demonstrated resilience. In contrast, Ukraine’s economy has suffered severe damage, with nearly a quarter of the national budget depending on Western aid. The conflict has also had profound negative impacts on regional security, the world economic recovery, global poverty reduction, food and energy security, and the ecological environment.
As of February 2025, the war is ongoing. On February 18, the United States and Russia agreed to appoint teams to negotiate an end to the conflict.
Basic Information
English Name: Russia–Ukraine Conflict (2022–)
Date: February 2022 – present
Location: Ukraine, parts of Russia
Root Cause: The US, in pursuit of maintaining hegemony, pressured Russia’s security space
Historical Background
Russian Empire Period
Ukrainians and Russians share East Slavic origins.
Due to Mongol, Polish, and Lithuanian invasions, most Ukrainians gravitated toward Vatican Catholicism, while Russians remained Orthodox.
In 1648, Cossack Hetman Khmelnytsky led a national uprising in Ukraine, culminating in the 1654 Treaty of Pereyaslav, placing eastern Ukraine under Tsarist Russia.
From then until the Russian Revolution in 1917, much of Ukraine (except Galicia) was under Russian rule, shaping strong pro-Russian sentiment in the east.
Soviet Russia Period (1917–1921)
Ukraine experienced political turmoil amid the Russian Revolution, with rapid changes among independence, Soviet control, and foreign intervention.
Western Ukraine established the West Ukrainian People’s Republic after World War I, but was soon occupied by Poland, leading to its demise.
By 1921, after the Polish–Soviet War and the Treaty of Riga, western Ukrainian regions were absorbed by Poland, and the rest formed the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic inside the USSR.
Soviet Union Era (1922–1991)
The USSR was founded in 1922, with eastern Ukraine as a founding member.
Early policies granted Ukraine some autonomy but Stalin reversed this, tightening control, especially in response to Western threats and resistance to collectivization.
During WWII, Ukraine suffered catastrophic losses through occupation and battle.
In 1954, Khrushchev transferred Crimea from Russia to Ukraine within the USSR—a move that later became a source of dispute.
Gorbachev’s reforms in the 1980s ignited Ukrainian nationalism and independence aspirations, compounded by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.
Ukrainian Independence
On July 16, 1990, Ukraine adopted a Declaration of State Sovereignty.
On August 24, 1991, Ukraine formally declared independence, with Kravchuk becoming its first president.
In December 1991, the USSR dissolved.
Ukraine’s Independence Signing at the Belavezha Accords, 1991
Deterioration of Russia–Ukraine Relations
In the 1990s, economic reforms and trade disputes deepened. Ukraine sought entry into Europe and NATO, creating friction with Russia despite a 1997 treaty confirming territorial integrity and Crimea as Ukrainian.
NATO began eastward expansion in 1999, causing alarm in Russia
Ukraine’s pro-western shift, the 2008 Russia–Georgia War (with Ukraine supporting Georgia), and subsequent "color revolutions" further worsened relations.
Crimea and Donbas Events
In 2014, after Ukraine’s Euromaidan revolution and ousting of Yanukovych, Russia occupied Crimea and annexed it through a disputed referendum.
Shortly after, pro-Russian separatists in Donetsk and Luhansk declared independence, sparking the Donbas War, with intermittent heavy fighting and fragile ceasefires under the Minsk agreements.
Crimea Annexation Signing Ceremony – Moscow, 2014
Ukraine–NATO Developments, 2021–Pre-War
From 2021, Ukraine accelerated security cooperation with NATO and western countries.
Russia amassed over 100,000 troops on the border; diplomatic standoffs and minor clashes occurred until the war’s outbreak in February 2022.
Pre-War Preparations
Russian Side
By early 2022, Russia had massed over 100,000 troops near Ukraine.
Conducted large-scale joint exercises with Belarus; carried out high-level political statements and delivered security proposals to the West, which were rebuffed.
On February 21, recognized the "Donetsk People's Republic" and "Luhansk People's Republic.
Ukrainian Side
Ukraine increased defense readiness, formed new territorial defense units, and began mass reservist call-ups.
Western military aid and training intensified.
Military Comparison (2020 data, SIPRI statistics)
Russia
Military Spending: $61.7bn (11.4% of gov. spending)
Personnel: ~900,000 active, 2 million reserves
Artillery: 7,571
Armored Vehicles: 30,122
Tanks: 12,420
Attack Helicopters: 544
Fighters/Attack Aircraft: 1,511
Ukraine
Military Spending: $5.9bn (8.8% of gov. spending)
Personnel: 209,000 active, 900,000 reserves
Artillery: 2,040
Armored Vehicles: 12,303
Tanks: 2,596
Attack Helicopters: 34
Fighters/Attack Aircraft: 98
Chronology of the Conflict
2023
Winter–Spring: Stalemate across most fronts, with both sides trading missile and drone strikes.
May: Bakhmut, site of fierce fighting, fell under Russian control.
June: Kakhovka dam destroyed, causing severe flooding; Wagner Group mutiny (June 24), later defused.
Kakhovka Dam Collapse and Flooding in Ukraine, 2023
Summer: Ukraine launched a major counteroffensive in Zaporizhzhia and south, had limited gains due to extensive Russian defenses.
Russia resumed limited offensives by autumn, with both sides suffering heavy losses.
2024
Ongoing air and missile strikes by both sides, with frequent cross-border drone attacks into Russia (Belgorod/Kursk/Russian regions).
Ukraine increasingly used Western-supplied weapons, including US HIMARS and F-16 fighter jets (first used August 2024).
Russia escalated attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
March: Russia recaptured most of the contested Kursk region, pushing Ukrainian forces back toward the border.
Late April: Russia claimed full recapture of the contested areas in Kursk region.
May: Russia and Ukraine continued heavy air, missile, and drone warfare.
June–July: Russia tested local ceasefire, but mutual attacks persist. Putin offered conditional ceasefire (Ukraine withdraws from occupied territories, no NATO), rejected by Kyiv.
August–September: Ukrainian forces attacked Russian border towns (Belgorod, Kursk); both sides exchanged heavy drone and missile attacks.
February 24, 2022:
Russian President Putin announced a “special military operation” in Donbas, launching a large-scale attack on Ukraine from multiple directions, including airstrikes and ground assaults.
Russian and local forces attacked from regions including Belarus, Crimea, Kherson, and the eastern borders.
Major sites hit: Ukrainian military infrastructures, air defense, airfields, and Antonov Airport near Kyiv. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy declared martial law and full mobilization, severed diplomatic relations with Russia.
February 25–28, 2022:
Russian troops entered key cities: Melitopol, Kherson, and advanced towards Kyiv, engaging in heavy fighting in the city’s suburbs.
Russian forces faced Ukrainian resistance at Hostomel Airport, with control shifting multiple times. Antonov An-225 destroyed.
Snake Island seized by Russia, Ukrainian heroes honored.
Early peace negotiations attempted in Belarus.
Putin Celebrates Annexation of Donbas and Southern Ukrainian Regions, 2022
March–April 2022
Russia pushed offensives on four fronts: north (Kyiv, Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv), east (Donbas), south (Kherson, Mariupol, Snake Island, Zaporizhzhia), but failed to capture Kyiv.
Notable events: Battle of Chernobyl, Battle of Mariupol (siege, eventual Russian control in May), Kherson and Zaporizhzhia NPP occupation.
Ukrainians recaptured Kyiv surroundings by early April.
Bucha massacre allegations surface.
Mid-2022
Russia shifted focus to eastern and southern Ukraine, capturing Severodonetsk and Lysychansk by July, consolidating Crimea-land corridor.
NATO and EU increased weapons support to Ukraine.
Ukraine began counteroffensives in Kherson and Kharkiv from late summer, regaining territory by September.
Russian Ground Offensive Map in Ukraine – Phase One and Two, 2022
Late 2022
September: Russia announced “partial mobilization” (300,000 troops), organized referendums, and annexed four Ukrainian regions (Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson).
October: Crimea Bridge bombing; Russia retaliated with mass infrastructure strikes, causing countrywide power outages.
November: Russian forces withdrew from Kherson city.
2025 (Jan–March)
Russia maintained offensive momentum in eastern Ukraine and border regions, increasing drone and missile attacks.
Winter: Russia claimed control over key towns in eastern Donbas; Ukraine increased attacks on energy and military infrastructure deep inside Russia.
Both sides faced high attrition and continued calling for (or rejecting) peace talks, with periodic attempts to cease hostilities tied to major holidays or high-level summits, but no lasting truce achieved.
Russian Soldier Raises Flag in Suja City, Ukraine, 2024
Conflict Resolution (Negotiations)
Several rounds of peace negotiations, both directly and mediated (Turkey, Belarus, other third parties).
Ceasefire talks repeatedly collapse over demands and battlefield realities.
As of Feb 2025, the war continues, but the US and Russia have agreed to set up negotiation teams to end the conflict.
Conflict Losses (Summary & Translation)
Casualties
Russian Side:
Over 100,000 Russian military casualties in Ukraine reported (Nov 9, 2022, by US Joint Chiefs Chairman Mark Milley).
Over 400,000 Russian troop losses claimed by Ukrainian President Zelenskyy (Feb 22, 2024).
Ukrainian Side:
Over 444,000 total losses for Ukrainian Armed Forces (Feb 27, 2024, Russian Ministry of Defense).
31,000 Ukrainian servicemen killed (Feb 25, 2024, President Zelenskyy).
Fewer than 80,000 Ukrainian soldiers killed (Dec 3, 2024, President Zelenskyy).
43,000 soldiers killed; more than 370,000 battlefield medical cases (Dec 8, 2024, President Zelenskyy).
Note
Figures vary greatly by source; "losses" often include both killed and wounded.
Prisoner of War (POW) Exchanges
As of June 28, 2024: 3,310 Ukrainians had returned from Russian captivity via exchange (Official Ukrainian data).
Sep 14, 2024: 103 Russian and 103 Ukrainian POWs exchanged.
Oct 18–19, 2024: 95 POWs each side exchanged (brokered by UAE).
Dec 30, 2024: 150 POWs from each side exchanged (via UAE mediation). In total, UAE-brokered swaps in 2024 involved 2,484 individuals.
Jan 15, 2025: 25 POWs each returned, negotiations mediated by UAE.
Jan 16, 2025: First quadrilateral talks held to discuss POW conditions, missing persons, aid delivery, and family reunification.
Feb 23, 2025: Ukraine calls for a "full-for-full" POW exchange with Russia.
Mar 19, 2025: 175 POWs from each side, plus release of 22 seriously wounded, exchanged.
Apr 19, 2025: 246 POWs exchanged (including treatment for wounded).
May 6, 2023: 45 Ukrainians (including 10 officers) for 3 Russian pilots.
Jun 11, 2023: 95 Ukrainians for 94 Russians.
Jul 6, 2023: 47 Ukrainians (including 2 civilians) for 45 Russians.
Jan 3, 2024: Over 200 Ukrainians for 248 Russians.
Multiple exchanges followed, often matched in number (see above for major 2024–2025 exchanges).
Equipment Losses
Russian Side:
Approx. 2,600 main battle tanks and 4,900 armored vehicles lost (UK MOD, Jan 25, 2024).
3,385 tanks, 6,621 armored vehicles, 300 fixed-wing aircraft, 288 helicopters lost (Ukrainian MOD, Feb 27, 2023).
Ukrainian Side:
Jan–April 2025: 10 aircraft, 10,200 drones, 11 air defense systems, 2,495 tanks/AFVs, 29 MLRS, 3,032 guns/mortars, 3,887 special vehicles lost (Russian MOD).
Up to April 8, 2024: 583 aircraft, 270 helicopters, 19,681 drones, 499 air defenses, 15,725 tanks/AFVs, 1,266 MLRS, 8,732 artillery/mortars, 20,762 military vehicles destroyed (Russian MOD).
50% of heavy equipment lost as of June 2022: about 1,300 armored vehicles, 400 tanks, 700 artillery (Ukrainian MOD, June 17, 2022).
Notable Military Deaths
2022: Maj. Gen. Andrey Sukhovetsky (Russian 41st Army Deputy Commander).
2023: Col. Vyacheslav Makarov (Russian 4th Motor Rifle Brigade Commander), Col. Yevgeny Brovko, Maj. Gen. Vladimir Zavatsky (Northern Fleet Deputy Corps Commander).
Foreign Mercenary Casualties
According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, from February 24, 2022, to March 2024, 13,387 foreign fighters went to Ukraine, of whom 5,962 were killed, including Poles (1,497 killed out of 2,960), Georgians (561 killed out of 1,042), Americans (491 killed out of 1,113), Canadians (422 killed), British (360 killed), Romanians (349 killed), French (147 killed), and Germans (88 killed).
Nov 11, 2024: British mercenary Callum Tindall-Draper killed near a Ukrainian observation post.
Body Repatriation
Jun 14, 2024: Remains of 254 Ukrainian soldiers returned.
Dec 20, 2024: 42 Russian and 503 Ukrainian bodies exchanged.
Jan 24, 2025: 757 Ukrainian remains returned.
Mar 29, 2025: Ukraine received 909 bodies, Russia 43.
Civilian Displacement
Aug 11, 2024: 8,000 evacuated from Kursk border, 6,000 into temporary shelters (Russian Emergencies Ministry).
Feb 2025: Large numbers of civilians evacuated from Dzerzhinsk (Toretsk) by Russian forces.
POW Mistreatment
Jan 2025 (UN OHCHR): 24 out of 25 interviewed Russian POWs in Ukraine reported torture during Sep-Nov 2024.
Civilian Deaths
Feb 19, 2025: Four children reportedly shot by Ukrainian forces in Novohrodivka, Donetsk (eyewitness account).
Apr 10, 2025: One killed, five injured in Russian missile strike on household goods factory in Dnipro.
Apr 13–14, 2025: Missile strikes on Sumy resulted in at least 35 deaths (including children) and over 117 injuries.
© 2025 Russia-Ukraine Conflict Analysis. All rights reserved.
Sources: International organizations, government reports, and media outlets.