Russia-Ukraine War

Russia launched a full-scale military invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, targeting cities including Kyiv and Kharkiv. Early hostilities involved Russian advances toward the capital and the subsequent discovery of civilian atrocities in Bucha. Russia later annexed the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions, moves met with international condemnation. By 2024, the conflict shifted as Ukraine launched an incursion into Russia’s Kursk region and Russia advanced in Avdiivka. Throughout 2025, the war intensified through 'Spider Web' drone attacks and continuous missile bombardments of Ukrainian urban centers. In early 2026, diplomatic engagement increased through trilateral security talks in the UAE, but hostilities escalated with deep strikes against Russian territory. In May 2026, three distinct ceasefire attempts were made to commemorate Victory Day. Ukraine declared a unilateral ceasefire for May 5–6, which Russia violated by launching over 100 drones and missiles that killed at least 28 people. A Kremlin-proposed truce for May 8–10 collapsed within hours due to mutual violations, with Russia claiming Ukrainian terrorist actions and Ukraine reporting downed drones. Concurrently, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a separate three-day ceasefire from May 9–11, which included a 1,000-prisoner exchange per side. Following the collapse of these truces, Russia launched its largest aerial assault on Kyiv since the war began on May 14, killing 24 people. On May 15, a 205-for-205 prisoner exchange was conducted via UAE mediation. By late May, Russia utilized the Oreshnik hypersonic missile against Kyiv, prompting Ukraine to strike a strategic fuel hub in the Moscow region. Throughout the summer of 2026, the conflict centered on energy infrastructure and maritime corridors. Ukraine conducted repeated long-range drone strikes against Russian refineries in Tuapse, Volgograd, and St. Petersburg, causing fuel shortages. Russia responded with massive strikes on Kyiv, Dnipro, and Kharkiv. In the Black Sea, Ukraine targeted Russian vessels, leading Russia to deploy electronic warfare to jam Starlink. In August, North Korea announced the deployment of 50,000 troops to support Russia. Ukraine launched a massive drone attack involving 600 aircraft, while Russia reported intercepting a record 822 drones. Diplomatic efforts at the SCO summit saw Turkey propose mediation, while the U.S. prepared for potential conflict discussions. Humanitarian movements included prisoner exchanges on August 24 and August 26. By September 2026, the war entered a phase of extreme aerial escalation. Russia deployed jet-powered drones that reportedly overwhelmed Ukrainian air defenses and launched strikes against the SBU headquarters in Kyiv. Ukraine responded by targeting Russian oil depots and anti-aircraft batteries. President Zelenskyy warned airlines to avoid Russian airspace due to escalating drone operations, which Vladimir Putin characterized as state terrorism. As of mid-September 2026, the Kremlin has not ruled out trilateral talks involving the United States in October to address ongoing tensions.