Prelude to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine

Events preceding the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine

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Prelude to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine

Part of the Russo-Ukrainian War

Russian military buildup around Ukraine as of 3 December 2021
| Date| Initial: 3 March 2021 (2021-03-03) - 30 April 2021 (2021-04-30)
(1 month, 3 weeks and 6 days)
Renewed: 26 October 2021 (2021-10-26) - 24 February 2022 (2022-02-24)
(3 months, 4 weeks and 1 day)

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Location|

Ukraine

Result|

Russia launches a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022

* Russia recognizes the separatist republics of Donetsk and Luhansk as sovereign states and orders the deployment of Russian military forces into the republics.[34]

Parties involved in the crisis

* Russia
* Belarus[1]
* Donetsk PR[a]
* Luhansk PR[b]

* Ukraine

Arms suppliers:

* Canada[c]
* Croatia[d]
* Czech Republic[e]
* Estonia[f]
* France[g]
* Latvia[h]
* Lithuania[i]
* Netherlands[j]
* Poland[k]
* Spain[l]
* Turkey[m]
* United Kingdom[n]
* United States[o]

Non-lethal military aid:

* Germany[p]
* Italy[q]
* Sweden[r]
* European Union[s]
* Belarusian opposition[t]

Commanders and leaders

* Vladimir Putin
* Mikhail Mishustin
* Sergey Lavrov
* Sergey Shoigu
* Valery Gerasimov
* Alexander Lukashenko
* Roman Golovchenko
* Viktor Khrenin
* Viktor Gulevich
* Alexander Volfovich
* Denis Pushilin
* Vladimir Pashkov
* Leonid Pasechnik
* Sergey Kozlov

* Volodymyr Zelenskyy
* Denys Shmyhal
* Dmytro Kuleba
* Oleksii Reznikov
* Andrii Taran
* Oleksiy Danilov
* Valerii Zaluzhnyi
* Serhiy Shaptala
* Ruslan Khomchak
* Vitali Klitschko

Strength

* Russia:
* 900,000 (Armed Forces)
* 554,000 (Paramilitary)
* 2,000,000 (Reserves)[5]
* • including 175,000[35] to 190,000[36] at the Ukrainian border
* Belarus:
* 45,350 (Armed Forces)
* 110,000 (Paramilitary)
* 289,500 (Reserves)[5]
* Donetsk PR:
* 20,000[5]
* Luhansk PR:
* 14,000[5]

* Ukraine:
* 209,000 (Armed Forces)
* 102,000 (Paramilitary)
* 900,000 (Reserves)[5]

* * *

* Training mission:
* Canada:
* 260 (Operation Unifier)[5][37] (until 13 February 2022)[38]
* United States:
* 165 (JMTG-U)[39] (until 12 February 2022)[40]
* United Kingdom:
* 53 (Operation Orbital)[5] (until 12 February 2022)[41]
* Poland:
* 40 (JMTG-U)[5]
* Lithuania:
* 26 (JMTG-U)[5]
* Sweden:
* 4 (Operation Unifier) (until 13 February 2022)[30][42]

In March and April 2021, Russian Armed Forces began massing thousands of personnel and military equipment near Russia's border with Ukraine and in Crimea, representing the largest mobilization since the annexation of Crimea in 2014.[43][44] This precipitated an international crisis due to concerns over a potential invasion. Satellite imagery showed movements of armour, missiles, and heavy weaponry.[45][46] The troops were partially withdrawn by June 2021,[47] though the infrastructure was left in place. A second build-up began in October 2021, this time with greater numbers of soldiers and with deployments on new fronts; by December over 100,000 Russian troops were massed around Ukraine on three sides.[48] Despite the Russian military build-ups, Russian officials from November 2021 to 20 February 2022 repeatedly denied that Russia had plans to invade Ukraine.[49][50]

The crisis is related to the ongoing War in Donbas, which is in turn part of the Russo-Ukrainian War, happening since 2014. In December 2021, Russia advanced two draft treaties that contained requests for what it referred to as "security guarantees", including a legally binding promise that Ukraine would not join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) as well as a reduction in NATO troops and materiel stationed in Eastern Europe, and threatened unspecified military response if those demands were not met in full. NATO rejected these requests, and the United States warned Russia of "swift and severe" economic sanctions should it further invade Ukraine.[51] The crisis was described by many commentators as one of the most intense in Europe since the Cold War.[52][53][54] International affairs analyst Fiona Hill later commented on 28 February 2022 Russia's invasion of Ukraine was another sign that World War III was already underway.[55]

On 21 February 2022, Russia officially recognized the two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine, the Donetsk People's Republic and the Luhansk People's Republic, as independent states,[56] and deployed troops to Donbas, in a move interpreted as Russia's effective withdrawal from the Minsk Protocol.[57][58] The breakaway republics were recognized in the boundaries of their respective Ukrainian oblasts, which extend far beyond the line of contact.[59] On 22 February, Putin said that the Minsk agreements were no longer valid.[60] On the same day, the Federation Council unanimously authorised the use of military force in the territories.[61]

On the morning of 24 February, Putin announced that Russia was initiating a "special military operation" in the Donbas, and launched a full-scale invasion into Ukraine.[62][63]

## Contents

* 1 Background
* 2 Initial tensions (March–April 2021)
* 2.1 First Russian military buildup
* 2.2 Continued violence and escalation
* 3 Renewed tensions (October 2021 - February 2022)
* 3.1 Second Russian military buildup
* 3.2 Alleged Russian subversion attempts
* 3.2.1 Russia's accusations of genocide in eastern Ukraine
* 3.3 Ukrainian defences
* 3.3.1 Foreign support
* 3.4 NATO reinforcements
* 4 Escalation and invasion (February 2022 - present)
* 4.1 Alleged clashes between Russia and Ukraine
* 4.2 Recognition of the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics by Russia
* 4.3 International sanctions on Russia
* 4.4 Invasion
* 5 Diplomatic negotiations
* 5.1 NATO–Russia security talks
* 5.2 United Nations Security Council
* 5.3 International treaties and negotiation structures
* 6 Reactions
* 6.1 Ukraine
* 6.2 Russia
* 6.3 International community
* 6.3.1 Entities with limited recognition
* 6.3.2 Intergovernmental bodies
* 6.4 Civil society
* 7 Impact on migration
* 8 See also
* 9 Explanatory notes
* 10 References
* 11 External links

## Background[edit]

Main articles: Russo-Ukrainian War and Historical background of the 2014 pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine

See also: Enlargement of NATO, Ukraine–NATO relations, and Second Cold War

* v
* t
* e

Russo-Ukrainian War

* Prelude

* Euromaidan
* Odessa clashes
* Pro-Russian unrest
* Revolution of Dignity

* * *

* Crimea

* Timeline
* Little green men

* Crimean Parliament
* Southern Naval Base
* 2014 Simferopol
* 2018 Kerch Strait

* * *

* Donbas

* Timeline

* Sloviansk
* Kramatorsk
* 1st Mariupol
* 1st Sievierodonetsk
* Il-76 shootdown
* Zelenopillia rocket attack
* 1st Donetsk Airport
* Luhansk Border Base
* Sector D clashes
* Great Raid of 2014
* Shakhtarsk Raion
* Horlivka
* Ilovaisk
* Novoazovsk
* 2nd Mariupol
* 2nd Donetsk Airport
* Debaltseve
* Shyrokyne
* Marinka
* Svitlodarsk
* 1st Avdiivka

Attacks on civilians

* Sloviansk
* Malaysia Airlines Flight 17
* Novosvitlivka
* Volnovakha
* Mariupol

* * *

* 2022 invasion

* Prelude
* Timeline
* Economic impact
* Peace negotiations
* Protests in occupied Ukraine
* War crimes

* Kyiv offensive
* Eastern Ukraine offensive
* Northeastern Ukraine offensive
* Southern Ukraine offensive

Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, Ukraine and Russia continued to retain close ties. In 1994, Ukraine agreed to abandon its nuclear arsenal and signed the Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances on the condition that Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States would issue an assurance against threats or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of Ukraine. Five years later, Russia was one of the signatories of the Charter for European Security, where it "reaffirmed the inherent right of each and every participating State to be free to choose or change its security arrangements, including treaties of alliance, as they evolve".[64]

Despite being a recognized independent country since 1991, as a former USSR constituent republic, Ukraine had been perceived by the leadership of Russia as being part of its sphere of influence. In 2008, Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke out against Ukraine's membership in NATO.[65][66] In 2009, Romanian analyst Iulian Chifu and his co-authors opined that in regard to Ukraine, Russia has pursued an updated version of the Brezhnev Doctrine, which dictates that the sovereignty of Ukraine cannot be larger than that of the Warsaw Pact's member states prior to the collapse of the Soviet sphere of influence during the late-1980s and early-1990s.[67] This view[improper synthesis?] is built upon the premise that Russia's actions to placate the West in the early 1990s should have been met with reciprocity from the West, without NATO expansion along Russia's border.[68][69]

Following weeks of protests as part of the Euromaidan movement (2013–2014), pro-Russian Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych and the leaders of the Ukrainian parliamentary opposition on 21 February 2014 signed a settlement agreement that called for an early election. The following day, Yanukovych fled from Kyiv ahead of an impeachment vote that stripped him of his powers as president.[70][71][72] Leaders of the Russian-speaking eastern regions of Ukraine declared continuing loyalty to Yanukovych,[73] causing the 2014 pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine.[74] This unrest, fomented by Russia as part of a coordinated political and military campaign against Ukraine,[75][76][77][78][79] Amidst that Russia invaded and subsequently annexed Crimea in March 2014, followed by the War in Donbas, which started in April 2014 with the creation of the Russia-backed quasi-states of the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics.[80][81] The Minsk agreements allowed the fighting to subside in Donbas, leaving separatists in control of about a third of the region.[82] This stalemate led to the war being labelled a "frozen conflict".[83]

Since 2019, Russia has issued over 650,000 internal Russian passports among an unconfirmed overall population,[84] which is considered by Ukrainian government as a step towards annexation of the region.[85] On 14 September 2020, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy approved Ukraine's new National Security Strategy, "which provides for the development of the distinctive partnership with NATO with the aim of membership in NATO."[86][87][88] On 24 March 2021, Zelenskyy signed the Decree No. 117/2021 approving the "strategy of de-occupation and reintegration of the temporarily occupied territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol", complementing the activities of the Crimean Platform.[89]

In July 2021, Putin published an essay titled On the Historical Unity of Russians and Ukrainians, in which he re-affirmed his view that Russians and Ukrainians were "one people".[90] American historian Timothy Snyder described Putin's ideas as imperialism.[91] British journalist Edward Lucas described it as historical revisionism.[92] Other observers have noted that the Russian leadership has a distorted view of modern Ukraine and its history.[93][94][95]

Russia has said that a possible Ukrainian accession to NATO and the NATO enlargement in general threaten its national security.[96][97][98] In turn, Ukraine and other European countries neighboring Russia have accused Putin of attempting to restore the Russian Empire/Soviet Union and of pursuing aggressive militaristic policies.[99][100][101][102][103]

CSTO member states

NATO member states

States affected by territorial disputes (Georgia and Ukraine)

Disputed regions recognised by Russia as either part of its territory or sovereign states (Abkhazia, Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, South Ossetia)

## Initial tensions (March–April 2021)[edit]

### First Russian military buildup[edit]

On 21 February 2021, the Russian Defence Ministry made an announcement regarding the deployment of 3,000 paratroopers to the border for "large-scale exercises". The announcement was made following the Ukrainian government's crackdown on Viktor Medvedchuk earlier that month. Medvedchuk was a leading pro-Russian Ukrainian opposition politician and tycoon with close personal ties to Vladimir Putin. An analysis by Time published in February 2022 cited the event as the start of the Russian military buildup near Ukraine.[104]

On 3 March, Suspilne claimed separatists from the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) reported they had been granted permission to use "preemptive fire for destruction" on Ukrainian military positions.[105] On 16 March, the SBGS border patrol in Sumy spotted a Russian Mil Mi-8 helicopter trespassing approximately 50 metres (160 ft) into Ukrainian territory before heading back to Russian airspace.[106] Ten days later, Russian troops fired mortars at Ukrainian positions near the village of Shumy in Donbas, killing four Ukrainian servicemen.[107] Russia refused to renew the ceasefire in Donbas on 1 April.[108]

On March 24, Zelenskyy announced Ukraine's intent to take back Crimea, mentioning among others military means.[109] The next day Russia sent troops to the Ukraine border.[110]

Beginning from 16 March, NATO began a series of military exercises known as Defender Europe 2021.[u] The military exercise, one of the largest NATO-led military exercises in Europe for decades, included near-simultaneous operations across over 30 training areas in 12 countries, involving 28,000 troops from 27 nations.[114][115] Russia criticized NATO for holding Defender Europe 2021,[116] and deployed troops to its western borders for military exercises in response to NATO's military activities. The deployment led to Russia having a sizable troop buildup along the Russo-Ukrainian border by mid-April. A Ukrainian estimation placed the deployment at 40,000 Russian forces for Crimea and the eastern portion of the Russo-Ukrainian border. The German government subsequently condemned the deployment as an act of provocation.[117]

On 30 March, colonel general Ruslan Khomchak, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine revealed intelligence reports suggesting a military buildup by the Russian Armed Forces at the outskirts of Ukraine in preparations for the Zapad ru. 28 Russian battalion tactical groups were situated along the Russo-Ukrainian border, primarily at Crimea, Rostov, Bryansk, and Voronezh. It was estimated that 60,700 Russian troops were stationed at Crimea and Donbas, with 2,000 military advisors and instructors at eastern-Ukraine alone. According to Komchak, the buildup, expected to increase to 53 battalion tactical groups, posed "a threat" to the military security of Ukraine.[118] Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for Vladimir Putin, disagreed with the Ukrainian statements, claiming the military movements "are not of any concern" for neighbouring countries. Instead, the decisions were made to deal on matters of "national security".[119]

Between late March and early April 2021, significant quantities of weapons and equipment from various regions of Russia, including as far away as Siberia, were transported towards the Russo-Ukrainian border and into Crimea.[120][121] Unofficial Russian sources, such as the pro-Russian Telegram channel Military Observer, published a video of the flight of a group of Russian Kamov Ka-52 and Mil Mi-28 attack helicopters. It was emphasized by the original sources that the flight had allegedly taken place on the Russo-Ukrainian border.[122]

### Continued violence and escalation[edit]

Russian President Vladimir Putin (left), and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (right)

Russian and pro-Kremlin media made allegations on 3 April 2021 accusing a Ukrainian drone attack of causing the death of a child in the Russian-occupied part of Donbas. However, no further details were given surrounding the incident. Vyacheslav Volodin, speaker of the Russian State Duma believed that Ukrainian leaders should be "held responsible for the death", while proposing to exclude Ukraine from the Council of Europe (CoE).[123] On 5 April, Ukrainian representatives of the Joint Centre of Control and Coordination (JCCC) sent a note to the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine regarding pro-Russian intentions to falsify the accusations.[124] The next day, the mission confirmed the death of a child in Russian-occupied Donbas, but failed to establish a link between the purported "Ukrainian drone strike" and the child's death.[125]

On 6 April 2021, a Ukrainian serviceman was killed as a result of shelling of Ukrainian positions near the town of Nevelske in Donetsk. Another soldier was killed near Stepne by an unknown explosive device.[126] As a result of the shelling, the water pumping station located in the "gray-zone" between the villages of Vasylivka and Kruta Balka at South Donbas was de-energized, causing the suspension of water supplies at over 50 settlements.[127] Shortly after the annexation of Crimea in 2014, Ukraine blocked the flow of the Northern Crimean Canal, which had supplied 85-percent of Crimea's water. Crimea's reservoirs were subsequently depleted and water shortages ensued, with water reportedly only being available for three to five hours a day in 2021.[128] The New York Times has cited senior American officials mentioning securing Crimea's water supply could be an objective of a possible incursion by Russia.[129][130]

Russia has transferred ships between the Caspian Sea and Black Sea. The transfer had involved several landing craft and artillery boats. Interfax has reported on 8 April that the crews and ships of the Caspian Flotilla will pass the final naval exercises in cooperation with the Black Sea Fleet.[131]

On 10 April 2021, Ukraine invoked Paragraph 16 of the Vienna Document and initiated a meeting in the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) on the surge of Russian troops at regions near the Russo-Ukrainian border and Russian-occupied Crimea.[132] Ukraine's initiative was supported by several countries, but the Russian delegation failed to appear at the meeting and refused to provide explanations.[133]

On 13 April 2021, Ukrainian consul Oleksandr Sosoniuk was detained in Saint Petersburg by the Federal Security Service (FSB), allegedly while "receiving confidential information" during a meeting with a Russian citizen.[134][135] Sosoniuk was later expelled from Russia.[136] In response, Yevhen Chernikov, a senior Russian diplomat of the Russian embassy in Kyiv, was declared a persona non grata in 19 April in Ukraine and was forced to leave the country within 72 hours.[137]

On 14 April 2021, in a meeting in Crimea, Nikolay Patrushev, Secretary of the Security Council of Russia (SCRF) accused Ukrainian special services of trying to organize "terrorist attacks and sabotage" on the peninsula.[138]

On the night between 14 and 15 April 2021, a naval confrontation took place in the Sea of Azov, 40 kilometres (25 mi) from the Kerch Strait, between three Ukrainian Gyurza-M-class artillery boats and six vessels from the Coast Guard of the Border Service of the FSB. The Ukrainian artillery boats were escorting civilian ships when the incident occurred. It was reported that Ukrainian ships threatened to use airborne weapons to deter provocations from FSB vessels. The incident ended without any casualties.[139]

The following day, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine reported that Russia had announced the closure of parts of the Black Sea from warships and vessels of other countries until October under the pretext of military exercises. The Ministry has condemned the decision as a "gross violation of the right of navigational freedoms" guaranteed by the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. According to the convention, Russia must not "obstruct maritime passages of the International strait to ports" in the Sea of Azov.[140]

According to John Kirby, Pentagon Press Secretary, Russia had concentrated more troops near the Russo-Ukrainian border than in 2014.[141] Russia reportedly imposed temporary restrictions on flights over parts of Crimea and the Black Sea from 20 to 24 April 2021, as stated in an international report for pilots.[142]

On 22 April 2021, Russian Minister of Defence Sergey Shoigu announced a drawdown of military exercises with troops from the 58th and 41st Army, and the 7th, 76th, and 98th Guards Airborne Division returning to their permanent bases by 1 May after inspections in the Southern and Western military districts. Equipment at the Pogonovo training facility were to remain for the annual military exercise with Belarus scheduled in September 2021.[120]

## Renewed tensions (October 2021 - February 2022)[edit]

Further information: Timeline of the war in Donbas (2021) and Timeline of the war in Donbas (2022)

On 11 October 2021, Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of Russia, published an article in Kommersant, in which he argued that Ukraine was a "vassal" of the West and that, therefore, it was pointless for Russia to attempt to hold a dialogue with the Ukrainian authorities, whom he described as "weak", "ignorant" and "unreliable". Medvedev concluded that Russia should do nothing in regard to Ukraine and wait until a Ukrainian government comes to power that is genuinely interested in improving relations with Russia, adding "Russia knows how to wait. We are patient people."[143] The Kremlin later specified that Medvedev's article "runs in unison" with Russia's view of the current Ukrainian government.[144]

In November 2021, the Russian Defence Ministry described the deployment of the US warships to the Black Sea as a "threat to regional security and strategic stability." The ministry said in a statement, "The real goal behind the US activities in the Black Sea region is exploring the theater of operations in case Kyiv attempts to settle the conflict in the southeast by force."[145]

### Second Russian military buildup[edit]

A map showing two alleged Russian plans published separately by Bild[146] and the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).[147]

Senior officials of the US Department of Defense reported on 5 May 2021 that Russia had only withdrawn a few thousand troops since the previous military buildup. Despite withdrawals of several Russian units back to their native barracks, vehicles and equipment were not withdrawn, leading to fears that a re-deployment might occur.[129] Senior US Defense Department officials in early May estimated over 80,000 Russian troops still remained at the Russo-Ukrainian border.[129]

In early November 2021, reports of Russian military buildups prompted American officials to warn its European allies that Russia could be considering a potential invasion of Ukraine, while a number of experts and commentators believed that Putin was seeking a stronger hand for further negotiations with the West.[148][149] The Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR MOU) estimated that the figure had risen to 90,000 by 2 November, composing of forces from the 8th and 20th Guards, and the 4th and 6th Air and Air Defence Forces Army.[150]

On 13 November 2021, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Russia had again amassed 100,000 troops near the Russo-Ukrainian border,[151] higher than an American assessment of approximately 70,000.[152] On the same day, in an interview on Russia-1, Putin denied any possibility of a Russian invasion of Ukraine, labelling the notions as "alarmist", while simultaneously accusing NATO of undergoing unscheduled naval drills at the Black Sea.[153] 8 days later, the chief of the HUR MOU, Kyrylo Budanov [ru] commented that Russian troop deployment had approached 92,000.[154] Budanov accused Russia of conspiring several protests against COVID-19 vaccination in Kyiv to destabilize the country.[155]

Between late-November and early-December 2021, as Russian and Ukrainian officials traded accusations of the one another's massive troop deployments in region of Donbas, Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba on 25 November admonished Russia against a "new attack on Ukraine", which he said "would cost [Russia] dear",[156][157][158][159][160] while Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on 21 November called the accusations "[the] hysteria" that "[wa]s being intentionally whipped up" and said that, in their opinion, it was Ukraine who was planning aggressive actions against Donbas.[161][162][163]

On 3 December 2021, the Ukrainian Minister of Defense, Oleksii Reznikov, spoke of the possibility of a "large-scale escalation" by Russia during the end of January 2022, during a session at the Verkhovna Rada (Ukraine's national parliament).[164] Reznikov estimated that the Russian military buildup had consisted of 94,300 troops.[165] In early December 2021, an analysis conducted by Janes concluded that major elements of the Russian 41st Army (headquartered at Novosibirsk) and the 1st Guards Tank Army (normally deployed around Moscow) had been re-positioned to the west, reinforcing the Russian 20th and 8th Guards armies that were already positioned closer to the Russo-Ukrainian border. Additional Russian forces were reported to have moved to Crimea, reinforcing Russian naval and ground units that were already deployed there.[166] American intelligence officials warned that Russia was planning an upcoming major military offensive into Ukraine scheduled to take place in January 2022.[167]

A Iskander-M, launched in 2018.

Russia began a slow evacuation of its embassy staff at Kyiv beginning in January 2022. The motives of the evacuation remain unknown and were subjected to multiple speculations.[168] By mid-January, an intelligence assessment produced by the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence estimated that Russia were in its final stages of completing a military buildup at the Russo-Ukrainian border, amassing 127,000 troops at the region. Among the troops, 106,000 were land forces and the remainder being navals and air forces. There were 35,000 more Russian-backed separatist forces and another 3,000 Russian forces in rebel-held eastern Ukraine.[169] The assessment estimated that Russia had deployed 36 Iskander short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) systems near the border, many stationed within striking distance of Kyiv. The assessment also reported intensified Russian intelligence activity.[169] An analysis conducted by the Atlantic Council in 20 January concluded that Russia had deployed additional critical combat capabilities to the region.[170]

In late-January 2022, major Russian military units were relocated and deployed to Belarus under the auspices of previously planned joint military exercises to be held in February that year. Namely, the headquarters of the Eastern Military District was deployed to Belarus along with combat units drawn from the District's 5th, 29th, 35th, and 36th Combined Arms Army, 76th Guards Air Assault Division, 98th Guards Airborne Division and the Pacific Fleet's 155th Naval Infantry Brigade.[171] Ukrainian and American officials believed that Russia attempted to use Belarus as a platform for an attack on Ukraine from the north, due to the close proximity of the Belarusian–Ukrainian border with the city of Kyiv.[172][173][174][175]

On 19 January 2022, United States President Joe Biden said his "guess" was that Russia "w[ould] move in" to Ukraine but Putin would pay "a serious and dear price" for an invasion and "would regret it".[176][177]

On 20 January 2022, Russia announced plans to hold major naval drills later that month that would involve all of its naval fleets containing 140 vessels, 60 planes, 1,000 units of military hardware, and 10,000 soldiers, in the Mediterranean, the northeast Atlantic Ocean, the Pacific, the North Sea and the Sea of Okhotsk.[178] On 28 January, Reuters reported that 3 anonymous American officials had revealed that Russia had stockpiled medical supplies. Two of the three officials claimed that the movements were detected in "recent weeks", adding to fears of conflict.[179] In an interview with The Washington Post in January 2022, Zelenskyy warned that Russian forces could invade and take control of regions in eastern Ukraine. He also argued that an invasion would lead to a large-scale war between Ukraine and Russia.[180]

On 5 February 2022, two anonymous US officials reported Russia had assembled 83 battalion tactical groups, estimated to be 70-percent of combat capabilities for a full-scale invasion on Ukraine. It was also predicted that a hypothetical invasion would result in 8,000 to 35,000 military casualties and 25,000 to 50,000 civilian casualties. It was anticipated by the officials that the possible launch window could start on 15 February and persist until the end of March, when extremely cold weather would freeze roads and assist in the movement of mechanized units.[181]

The Kaliningrad, a Ropucha-class landing ship, was among the six landing ships departed for Sevastopol on 8 February 2022.

On 8 February, a fleet of six Russian landing ships, namely the Korolev, the Minsk, and Kaliningrad from the Baltic Fleet; and the Petr Morgunov, the Georgiy Pobedonosets, and the Olenegorskiy Gornyak from the Northern Fleet, was reported to have sailed to the Black Sea for naval exercises. The fleet arrived at Sevastopol two days after.[182] On 10 February, Russia announced two major military exercises. The first was a naval exercise at the Black Sea,[183] which was protested by Ukraine as it resulted in Russia blocking the naval routes at the Kerch Strait, the Sea of Azov, and the Black Sea;[184][185] the second involved a joint-military exercise between Belarus and Russia held at regions close to the Belarusian-Ukrainian border, involving 30,000 Russian troops and almost all of the Belarusian armed forces.[186] Responding to the latter, Ukraine held separate military exercises of their own, involving 10,000 Ukrainian troops. Both exercises were scheduled for 10 days.[187]

While referring to unspecified intelligence, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, stated an attack could begin at any moment prior to the conclusion of the 2022 Winter Olympics at Beijing on 20 February.[188] Separately, the media published several reports based on acquired US intelligence briefed to several allies with specific references to 16 February as a potential starting date for a ground invasion.[189][190] Following these announcements, the US ordered most of its diplomatic staff and all military instructors in Ukraine to evacuate.[191] Numerous countries, including Japan, Germany, Australia and Israel also urged their citizens to leave Ukraine immediately.[192] The next day, KLM suspended its flights to Ukraine, while other airlines shifted their flight schedules to limit exposure across the country.[193]

A Russian military helicopter heading south from Minsk, 23 February 2022. Note the "V" symbol.

On 10 February 2022, the Baltic states invoked provisions of the Vienna Document requesting an explanation from Belarus regarding the unusual military activities.[194] The move was followed by Ukraine a day after, where it too invoked Chapter III (risk reduction) of the Vienna Document, requesting Russia to provide "detailed explanations on military activities in the areas adjacent to the territory of Ukraine and in the temporarily occupied Crimea".[195] According to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, no response had been received from Russian authorities within the required 48-hour deadline. On 13 February, Ukraine requested that an emergency meeting within the OSCE be held within the following 48 hours, at which Russia was expected to provide a response.[196]

On 14 February 2022, a telephone conversation was made by Reznikov and his Belarusian counterpart, Viktor Khrenin, where they agreed on mutual confidence-building and transparency measures. These measures included visits by both defence ministers to their respective country's military exercises (Reznikov to the Russo–Belarusian Allied Resolve 2022 exercise, and Khrenin to the Ukrainian Zametil 2022 exercise).[197] The emergency meeting in the OSCE requested by Ukraine was held on 15 February. However, the Russian delegation to the OSCE was absent from the meeting.[198]

On 14 February 2022, Shoigu said units from Russia's Southern and Western military districts had begun returning to their barracks following the completion of "exercises" near Ukraine.[199] However, in a press conference held the subsequent day, Biden commented that they could not verify such reports.[200] On 16 February, the Secretary General of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg refuted Russian claims and said that Russia had continued the military buildup.[201]

On 17 February 2022, top officials from the US and NATO stated that the threat of an invasion remained, as Russia was still actively looking for a casus belli for an invasion against Ukraine, with attempts being made to conduct a false flag operation.[202][203][204] On 18 February, Biden announced that he was convinced that Putin had made a decision to invade Ukraine.[205] On 19 February, two Ukrainian soldiers were killed while another five were wounded by artillery fire from separatists.[206]

On 20 February 2022, the Belarusian Ministry of Defence announced the continuation of the Allied Resolve 2022 military exercises, under the decision by Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko and Putin. According to Khrenin, it was due to the "escalation in military activity along the external borders of the Union State and the deterioration of the situation in Donbas".[207][208] On the same day, several news outlets reported that US intelligence assessed that Russian commanders had been given orders to proceed with the invasion.[209][210]

### Alleged Russian subversion attempts[edit]

See also: 2022 Ukraine cyberattacks, Disinformation in the 2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis, and Russian–Ukrainian information war

On 26 November 2021, Zelenskyy accused the Russian government and Ukrainian billionaire Rinat Akhmetov of backing a plan to overthrow the Ukrainian government.[211] Russia subsequently denied the claims.[212][213] On 10 January 2022, the SBU announced that it had arrested a Russian military intelligence agent who was attempting to recruit operatives to conduct attacks at Odessa.[214] Three days later, Ukraine was struck by a cyberattack that affected the official websites of several Ukrainian government ministries. It was later suspected that Russian hackers might be responsible for the incident.[215]

The HUR MOU accused Russian special services of preparing "provocations" against Russian soldiers stationed at Transnistria, a breakaway unrecognized state internationally considered part of Moldova, to create a casus belli for a Russian invasion of Ukraine.[216] The Biden administration later revealled that the Russian government deployed Russian operatives, trained in urban warfare and explosives,[217] as saboteurs to stage a fabricated attack against Russian proxy separatists at eastern-Ukraine, as a method to provide Russia with another pretext for an invasion.[218] The Russian government denied the claims.[219]

On 22 January 2022, the British government said Russia was preparing a plan to supplant Ukraine's government via military force and install a pro-Russian puppet administration in the country, potentially led by Yevheniy Murayev, a former member of the Ukrainian parliament.[220][221] Both Murayev and the Russian government denied the allegations, with the latter blaming NATO member-states "led by the Anglo-Saxons" for the crisis.[222][223] On 3 February, the US said that Russia was planning to use a fabricated video showing a staged Ukrainian "attack" as a pretext for a further invasion of Ukraine.[224][225] The Russian government denied any plans to orchestrate a pretext for an invasion.[226]

US intelligence sources warned in mid-February that Russia had compiled "lists of Ukrainian political figures and other prominent individuals to be targeted for either arrest or assassination" in the event of an invasion.[227] The US Ambassador to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva, Bathsheba Nell Crocker, wrote to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, saying the US has "credible information that indicates Russian forces are creating lists of identified Ukrainians to be killed or sent to camps following a military occupation", and that Russia "will likely use lethal measures to disperse peaceful protests ... from civilian populations".[228]

#### Russia's accusations of genocide in eastern Ukraine[edit]

See also: Humanitarian situation during the war in Donbas and Misinformation in the 2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis § Claim of genocide in Donbas

On 9 December 2021, Putin spoke of discrimination against Russian speakers outside Russia, saying: "I have to say that Russophobia is a first step towards genocide. You and I know what is happening in Donbass. It certainly looks very much like genocide."[229][230] Russia also condemned the Ukrainian language law.[231][232][233] On 15 February 2022, Putin told the press: "What is going on in Donbas is exactly genocide."[234] Several international organizations, including the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR),[235][236] OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine,[237][failed verification] and the Council of Europe found no evidence supporting the Russian claims.[238] The genocide allegations have been rejected by the European Commission as Russian disinformation.[239]

The US embassy in Ukraine described Russian genocide claims as "reprehensible falsehood",[240] while the Spokesperson for the US Department of State, Ned Price said the Russian government was making such claims as "an excuse for invading Ukraine".[234] On 18 February, the Russian Ambassador to the US, Anatoly Antonov replied to a question about US officials, who doubted the fact of the genocide of Russians in Donbas, by posting a statement on the Embassy's Facebook page that said: 'This causes outrage and indignation. ... We see here not just double standards of the United States, but quite a primitive and crude cynicism. ... The main geopolitical goal of the United States is to push Russia back to the East as far possible. To that end, a policy to force the Russian-speaking population out of their current places of residence is needed. Therefore, Americans prefer not only to ignore the attempts of forced assimilation of Russians in Ukraine, but also strongly condone them with political and military support."[241]

### Ukrainian defences[edit]

In preparation of a possible renewed Russian invasion, the Ukrainian Ground Forces announced a meeting in April 2021 regarding territorial defences to strengthen and protect the nation's borders and critical facilities, and to combat sabotage and reconnaissance groups at southern Ukraine.[242] During the same month, Zelenskyy visited Ukrainian defensive positions at Donbas.[243] According to Russia, Ukraine deployed 125,000 troops to the Donbas conflict zone in December 2021.[244]

The United States estimated in December 2021 that Russia could assemble over 175,000 troops to invade Ukraine.[245] Oleksii Reznikov, Ukrainian Minister of Defense, stated that "we have 250,000 official ... members of our army. Plus, I said 400,000 veterans and 200,000 reservists. 175,000 (is) not enough to go to Ukraine."[246] Reznikov claimed that Russia could launch a large-scale attack on Ukraine in late-January 2022.[247]

Ukraine's Territorial Defense Forces (the reserve component of the Ground Forces established after the 2014 conflict) recruited additional citizens and trained them in urban guerrilla tactics and firearms use.[248] Such insurgency tactics, as reported by The New York Times, could support a resistance movement if the Russian military is able to overwhelm the Ukrainian military.[249] Andrii Zahorodniuk, former Ukrainian Minister of Defense, wrote in January that in the case of a Russian invasion, the Russian forces would likely destroy "key elements of the country's military infrastructure" and will be able to "advance deep into Ukrainian territory", but would face difficulty in securing it. Zahorodniuk further stated, "Russian occupation forces will face highly motivated opponents fighting in familiar surroundings."[250]

#### Foreign support[edit]

A US airman of the 436th Aerial Port Squadron at Dover Air Force Base prepares FGM-148 Javelins to be delivered to Ukraine, 21 January 2022.

In response to expectations of a renewed invasion following the military buildup of over 100,000 Russian troops near the Russo-Ukrainian border, some of the NATO member nations in January 2022 began providing military aid, including lethal weapons, with the US giving approval to its NATO allies to send anti-armor missiles and other US-made weapons.[251] The first US shipment of some 90 tonnes (200,000 lb) of lethal weapons arrived in Ukraine on 22 January 2022.[252] The US provided FGM-148 Javelin antitank missiles, anti-armor artillery, heavy machine guns, small arms, ammunition, secure radio systems, medical equipment and spare parts.[253]

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley threatened US support for an anti-Russian insurgency within Ukraine, similar to the CIA's assistance to anti-Soviet mujahideen rebels in Afghanistan in the 1980s.[254] According to James Stavridis, former Supreme Allied Commander Europe at NATO (2009–2013), "The level of military support" for anti-Russian guerrilla fighters "would make our efforts in Afghanistan against the Soviet Union look puny by comparison."[255]

In December 2021, the US government approved an additional defense aid of US$200 million to Ukraine.[256] This was an addition to previous aids to Ukraine, making the total defense aid in 2021 worth US$650 million.[257] Deliveries of lethal weapons from the US started the following month and included .50 BMG caliber ammunition, M141 Bunker Defeat Munition (BDM) and Javelin systems.[258][259] The US also intends to transfer Mil Mi-17 helicopters to Ukraine, previously flown by the Afghan Air Force.[260]

The Biden administration approved deliveries of American-made FIM-92 Stinger surface-to-air missiles to Ukraine.[261][failed verification] In January 2022, the Biden administration granted permission to the Baltic nations to transfer American-made equipment to Ukraine.[253][262][263][264][265] Estonia donated Javelin anti-tank missiles to Ukraine, while Latvia and Lithuania provided Stinger air defense systems and associated equipment.[13]

Other NATO members also provided aid to Ukraine. Pre-existing British and Canadian military training programs were bolstered in January 2022. The British deployed additional military trainers and provided light anti-armor defence systems, while the Canadians deployed a small special forces delegation to aid Ukraine.[253] On 17 January, British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace announced that Britain had supplied Ukraine with 1,100 short-range anti-tank missiles.[266] On 20 January, Sky News reported that 2,000 short-range anti-tank MBT LAW missiles had been delivered via numerous Royal Air Force C-17 transport aircraft between the UK and Ukraine.[267] On 21 January, the UK Defence Journal reported that there had been an increase in Royal Air Force RC-135W Rivet Joint surveillance aircraft being deployed to monitor Russian forces on the Russo-Ukrainian border.[268]

On 16 January 2022, the Danish government announced they would provide Ukraine with a €22 million (US$24.8 million) defense package.[269] On 21 January, the Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wopke Hoekstra, said that the Netherlands was ready to deliver "defensive military support". He explained that Ukraine had asked the Netherlands for arms assistance on 20 January, and a parliamentary majority supported it.[270][271]

On 31 January 2022, Poland announced the decision to supply Ukraine with lethal weapons.[272] It intends to provide significant quantities of light ammunition, artillery shells, light mortar systems, reconnaissance drones, and Polish-made Grom surface-to-air missiles.[273]

On 17 February 2022, a tripartite format of cooperation was launched between Poland, Ukraine and the United Kingdom, with the aim to respond to threats to European security and to deepen Ukraine's relationships with the two other European nations in matters of cyber security, energy security and countering disinformation.[274][275]

### NATO reinforcements[edit]

See also: NATO Enhanced Forward Presence and Operation Atlantic Resolve

US paratroopers of the Immediate Response Force were deployed to eastern Europe to reinforce NATO's eastern flank amid the crisis in February 2022.[276]

The Dutch and Spanish governments deployed forces to the region in support of NATO.[253] On 20 January 2022, Spanish Defence Minister, Margarita Robles announced that the Spanish Navy was being deployed to the Black Sea.[277] The patrol vessel Meteoro, acting as a minesweeper, was already en route and the frigate Blas de Lezo departed on 22 January.[278] She announced that the Spanish government was considering deploying the Spanish Air Force (SAF) to Bulgaria.[277] Four Eurofighters were deployed on 12 February.[279] The Netherlands said it would send two F-35s to Bulgaria as part of NATO's expanded air surveillance mission.[280][281]

On 5 February 2022, the first of 2,000 newly deployed US soldiers to Europe arrived in Germany and Poland, as part of the US attempt to bolster NATO's eastern flank as Russia deploys more forces along Ukraine's borders.[282]

On 7 February 2022, Johnson said Britain would not "flinch" as he prepared to deploy Royal Marines, RAF aircraft, and Royal Navy warships to eastern Europe.[283]

On 11 February 2022, the US announced additional deployment of 3,000 troops to Poland and sent F-15 jets to Romania.[284]

## Escalation and invasion (February 2022 - present)[edit]

Further information: Timeline of the war in Donbas (2022)

### Alleged clashes between Russia and Ukraine[edit]

Fighting in Donbas escalated significantly on 17 February 2022. While the daily number of attacks over the first six weeks of 2022 was 2 to 5,[285] the Ukrainian military reported 60 attacks on 17 February. Russian state media also reported over 20 artillery attacks on separatist positions the same day.[285] For example, the Ukrainian government accused Russian separatists of shelling a kindergarten at Stanytsia Luhanska using artillery, injuring three civilians. The Luhansk People's Republic said that its forces had been attacked by the Ukrainian government with mortars, grenade launchers and machine gun fire.[286][287]

On 18 February, the Donetsk People's Republic and the Luhansk People's Republic ordered mandatory evacuations of civilians from their respective capital cities, although it has been noted that full evacuations would take months to accomplish.[288][289][290][291] Ukrainian media reported a sharp increase in artillery shelling by the Russian-led militants in Donbas as attempts to provoke the Ukrainian army.[292][293] Russian state media also reported a "car bombing", allegedly targeting the separatist government headquarters in Donetsk.[294]

On 21 February 2022, Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) announced that Ukrainian shelling had destroyed an FSB border facility 150 m from the Russia–Ukraine border in Rostov Oblast.[295] Separately, the press service of the Southern Military District announced that Russian forces had in the morning that day killed a group of five saboteurs near the village of Mityakinskaya, Rostov Oblast, that had penetrated the border from Ukraine in two infantry fighting vehicles, the vehicles having been destroyed.[296] Ukraine denied being involved in both incidents and called them a false flag.[297][298] Additionally, two Ukrainian soldiers and a civilian were reported killed by shelling in the village of Zaitseve, 30 km north of Donetsk.[299]

Several analysts, including the investigative website Bellingcat, published evidence that many of the claimed attacks, explosions as well as evacuations in Donbas were staged by Russia.[300][301][302]

On 21 February 2022, the Luhansk Thermal Power Plant in the Luhansk People's Republic was shelled from unknown forces.[303] The Ukrainian News Agency states that it was forced to shut down as a result.[304]

### Recognition of the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics by Russia[edit]

See also: International recognition of the Donetsk People's Republic and the Luhansk People's Republic

Play media

President Putin, alongside Denis Pushilin and Leonid Pasechnik, signs decrees recognizing the independence of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk people's republics on 21 February 2022.

On 21 January 2022, the Communist Party of the Russian Federation announced on Pravda that its deputies would introduce a non-binding resolution in the State Duma to ask President Putin to officially recognize the breakaway Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic.[305][306] The resolution was adopted by the State Duma on 15 February 2022 in a 351–16 vote, with one abstention; it was supported by United Russia, the Communist Party of the Russian Federation, A Just Russia - For Truth and the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia, but was opposed by the New People party.[307][308]

On 21 February 2022, the leaders of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk people's republics, respectively Denis Pushilin and Leonid Pasechnik, requested that President Putin officially recognize the republics' independence; both leaders also proposed signing a treaty on friendship and cooperation with Russia, including on military cooperation.[309] Concluding the extraordinary session of the Security Council of Russia held on that day, Putin said that the decision on recognition thereof would be taken that day.[310]

The request was endorsed by the minister of defence Sergey Shoigu.[311] The prime minister Mikhail Mishustin said the government had been laying the groundwork for such move for "many months already".[312] Later that day, Putin signed decrees on recognition of the republics. Additionally, treaties "on friendship, co-operation and mutual assistance" between Russia and the republics were inked.[313]

Prior to the signing ceremony at the Grand Kremlin Palace, Putin's address to Russian citizens was made public, in which he stated, among other things, that "modern Ukraine was entirely created by Russia, more precisely, Bolshevik, communist Russia", and specifically blaming Vladimir Lenin for the separation,[314] adding that admission of Ukraine to NATO was "a foregone conclusion", that Moscow could not afford to ignore the threat of a nuclear-armed Ukraine, and he demanded that "those who seized and retain[ed] power in Kiev ... immediately cease hostilities", or face consequences.[315][316][317]

With reference to the legally mandated decommunization in Ukraine that had begun in Ukraine in 2015, Putin said: "You want decommunisation? That suits us fine. But don't stop halfway. We're ready to show Ukraine what real decommunisation means for Ukraine."[317][318] The recognition decision was promptly condemned by the president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and the president of the European Council Charles Michel in identical statements on Twitter.[319][320]

### International sanctions on Russia[edit]

In response to the recognition of the two breakaway republics, Western countries started to roll out sanctions against Russia. On 22 February 2022, UK Prime Minister Johnson announced sanctions on five Russian banks, namely Rossiya Bank, Industrialny Sberegatelny Bank, General Bank, Promsvyazbank, and Black Sea Bank, and three billionaire associates of Putin, namely Gennady Timchenko, Boris Romanovich Rotenberg, and Igor Rotenberg.[321][322] German chancellor Scholz announced halting the certification process of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline.[323]

EU foreign ministers blacklisted all members of the Russian Duma who voted in favour of the recognition of the breakaway regions, banned EU investors from trading in Russian state bonds, and targeted imports and exports with separatist entities.[324] US president Biden announced sanctions on banks VEB.RF and Promsvyazbank and comprehensive sanctions on Russia's sovereign debt.[325]

The list of countries that has or will impose sanctions include but are not limited to:

* Australia – Prime Minister Scott Morrison said that it would "begin imposing further sanctions on oligarchs, whose economic weight is of strategic significance to Moscow and over 300 members of the Russian Duma, their parliament."[326]
* Japan – Japan said that it would strengthen its sanctions against Russia to also include financial institutions and military equipment exports.[327]
* New Zealand – New Zealand is prohibiting exports of goods to the Russian military and other related security forces.[326]
* Singapore – Singapore will block certain Russian banks and financial transactions. It will also control the export of items that could be used as weapons against the people of Ukraine.[44]
* South Korea – South Korea's government decided to tighten export controls by banning shipment of strategic items. They will also block some Russian banks from the SWIFT banking system.[328]
* Switzerland – Switzerland has announced that it will freeze the economic assets of 363 individuals including Putin, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov effective immediately.[329]
* United Kingdom – Prime Minister Johnson revealed that the UK would employ sanctions to target banks, members of Putin's closest circle, and wealthy Russians.[327]
* United States – US's government has decided to remove a selected number of Russian banks from the SWIFT messaging system.[327]

### Invasion[edit]

* v
* t
* e

2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine

* Prelude
* Timeline
* Economic impact
* Peace negotiations
* Protests in occupied Ukraine
* War crimes

* * *

Kyiv offensive

* Antonov Airport
* Chernobyl
* Hostomel
* Ivankiv
* Kyiv
* Shopping centre bombing
* Vasylkiv
* Zhytomyr
* Irpin
* shelling
* Bucha
* massacre
* Brovary
* Slavutych
* Borodianka

Eastern Ukraine offensive

* Avdiivka
* Mariupol
* Hospital airstrike
* Theatre airstrike
* Art school bombing
* Volnovakha
* Sievierodonetsk
* Donetsk
* Kramatorsk

Northeastern Ukraine offensive

* Kharkiv
* Cluster bombing
* Konotop
* Sumy
* Ammonia leak
* Trostianets
* Chernihiv
* Bombing
* Breadline attack
* Chuhuiv air base
* Okhtyrka
* Lebedyn
* Izium

Southern Ukraine offensive

* Snake Island
* Kherson
* Odessa
* Melitopol
* Mykolaiv
* Cluster bombing
* Government building airstrike
* Chornobaivka
* 16 March airport airstrike
* Enerhodar
* Voznesensk

Western Ukraine airstrikes

* Vinnytsia
* Yavoriv
* Deliatyn

Naval war

* Berdiansk
* Moskva

Spillover in Russia

* Millerovo
* Taganrog
* Belgorod
* Belgorod and Bryansk

Main article: 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine

On 21 February 2022, following the recognition of the Donetsk and Luhansk republics, President Putin ordered additional Russian troops into Donbas, in what Russia called a "peacekeeping mission".[330][331][332] Later on the same day, several independent media outlets confirmed that Russian forces were entering Donbas.[318][333][334] On 22 February 2022, the United States declared this movement an "invasion".[335] On the same day, the Federation Council unanimously authorised Putin to use military force outside Russia.[61] Ukrainian President Zelenskyy ordered reservists called up, while not committing to general mobilization yet.[336]

On 23 February 2022, an unidentified senior U.S. defense official was quoted by news media as saying that "80 percent" of Russian forces assigned and arrayed along Ukraine's border were ready for battle and that a ground incursion could commence at any moment.[337] On the same day, the Ukrainian parliament approved the decree of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the introduction of a state of emergency from 00:00 on 24 February 2022 across the territory of all Ukraine, except Donetsk and Luhansk regions, for a period of 30 days.[338] The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommended that Ukrainian citizens refrain from travel to Russia and those living in Russia leave the country "immediately".[339][340]

About 4 a.m. Moscow time on 24 February 2022, President Putin announced the beginning of a "special military operation" in the Donbas region.[341][342][343] Shortly after, reports of big explosions came from multiple cities in central and eastern Ukraine, including Kyiv and Kharkiv, while Russian amphibious assault troops landed in Odessa.[344][345] The US was swift to announce that it would not send US combat troops into Ukraine to intervene militarily.[346] The US repeated its commitment not to send ground troops into Ukraine for fear of provoking war between the United States and Russia. Many observers believed that Russian military operations in Ukraine would inevitably lead to the capitulation of the Ukrainian government and end to the country's national sovereignty.[347][348]

Pre-invasion day panorama from southeastern Ukraine, February 23, 2022.

## Diplomatic negotiations[edit]

See also: Minsk Protocol and Normandy Format

U.S. President Joe Biden holds a video call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on 7 December 2021

Between 2 and 3 November 2021, CIA director William Burns met with senior Russian intelligence officials at Moscow to convey to the Kremlin regarding Biden's concern about the situation on the Russo-Ukrainian border. It was reported by CNN that Burns spoke by phone with Zelenskyy following the meeting at Moscow in a bid to ease Russian and Ukrainian tensions. Simultaneously, a high-ranking US Department of State official was dispatched to Ukraine.[349]

On 15 November, acting German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas and French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian expressed concern in a joint communique about "Russian movements of troops and hardware near Ukraine", calling both sides to adopt and maintain "a posture of restraint".[350] At the same time, Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby confirmed that the United States continues to observe "unusual military activity" by Russia near the Russo-Ukrainian border.[351] US Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed reports of "Russian military activity" in the area with Le Drian.[352] On 16 November, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told the reporters that it's important NATO "doesn't increase tensions, but we have to be clear-eyed, we need to be realistic about the challenges we face". Stoltenberg added that the alliance records an "unusual concentration" of Russian forces, which Russia might be willing to use "to conduct aggressive actions against Ukraine".[353]

In early November 2021, Ukrainian intelligence assessed the information about the transfer of additional Russian troops to the Ukrainian borders to be "an element of psychological pressure." A week later, the Office of the President of Ukraine acknowledged that Russia was building up "specific groups of troops" near the border. Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba urged the French and German governments to prepare for a possible military scenario of Russia's actions against Ukraine.[354]

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels, 16 December 2021

Ukraine has intensified diplomatic efforts. On 15 November, Zelenskyy and the head of the European Council (EUCO) Charles Michel discussed "the security situation along the borders of Ukraine." On the same day, Kuleba held talks on the same issues in Brussels. The new Ukrainian defense minister, Oleksii Reznikov, went to Washington D.C., where on 18 November he met with US secretary of defense Lloyd Austin. On 16 November, British defence secretary Ben Wallace visited Kyiv.[354]

Israel maintains strong relationship with both Ukraine and Russia, and has sometimes acted as an interlocutor between the two nations. In April 2021, Zelenskyy asked the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to mediate the situation between himself and Putin. Israel raised the idea with Russia, who declined the request.[355] In a meeting at Kyiv in October with Zelenskyy, Israeli President Isaac Herzog told Zelenskyy that the new Israeli government under Prime Minister Naftali Bennett was willing to resume efforts at Ukrainian-Russian mediation. Bennett raised the idea in a meeting with Putin two weeks later at Sochi, but Putin declined.[355]

In late January, the United States was again discussing sanctions with European allies in case of a Russian invasion.[354] Biden said the sanctions would be "swift and severe, including a "game over" strategy of targeting Russian banks, bond markets and the assets of elites close to Putin.[51] Such an approach has also been criticized, and the proposed cut-off of Russian banks from the Visa, Mastercard and SWIFT payment systems was withdrawn. The challenge for US and NATO vis-à-vis Russia is the creation of credible deterrence with a plan for a de-escalatory sequence, including a reduction in inflammatory rhetoric, Russian troop withdrawals from the Russo-Ukrainian border, renewed Donbas peace talks, as well as a temporary halt on military exercises at the Black and Baltic Seas by the US, NATO or Russia.[356]

A Normandy Format meeting was planned between Russian, Ukrainian, German and French senior officials at Paris on 26 January 2022,[357] with a followup phone call between the French President Emmanuel Macron and Putin on 28 January.[358] Ukraine fulfilled Russia's condition for a meeting at Paris and decided to withdraw a controversial draft law on the reintegration of Crimea and Donbas from the Ukrainian parliament, as it was viewed that the law had contradicted the Minsk peace agreements.[359][360]

On 7 February 2022, French President Emmanuel Macron met Vladimir Putin in Moscow, with mixed outcomes: Macron said that Putin told him that Russia will not further escalate the crisis;[361] Putin scoffed at assertions that NATO is a "defensive alliance" and warned the Western countries that if Ukraine joined NATO and "decided to take back Crimea using military means, European countries will automatically be in a military conflict with Russia."[362] Putin promised Macron not to carry out new military initiatives near Ukraine.[363]

### NATO–Russia security talks[edit]

See also: Russia–NATO relations

US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman meets with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov in Geneva on 10 January 2022

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Geneva on 21 January 2022

On 7 December 2021, US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin talked by videoconference. One of the topics discussed was the crisis over Ukraine, the Russian side issuing a statement that said Putin highlighted the fact that it was "NATO that was undertaking dangerous attempts to develop Ukrainian territory and increase its potential along [Russia's] borders". He demanded "reliable, legal guarantees" that would preclude NATO from expanding its territory toward Russia or deploying its strike weapon systems in countries bordering Russia.[364][365]

On 15 December 2021, Russia formally handed over to the US its two draft treaties on security guarantees whereby the US as well as NATO would, among other things, undertake not to deploy troops in ex-Soviet states that were not NATO members, rule out any further expansion of the Alliance eastward, undertake not to deploy any forces in other countries in addition to that which were deployed as of 27 May 1997, and refrain from conducting any military activity in Ukraine as well as in other states in eastern Europe, the South Caucasus and Central Asia.[366]

Biden and Putin had a 50-minute phone call on 30 December 2021. In a White House statement released afterwards, on the call, Biden urged Putin "de-escalate tensions with Ukraine".[367] According to Putin's aide, Biden told Putin that the US did not plan to deploy offensive weapon in Ukraine.[368] Biden also warned that if Russia continued aggression against Ukraine, it would lead to "serious costs and consequences" such as the US imposing additional economic sanctions on Russia, increasing US military presence in the eastern members of NATO, and increased assistance to Ukraine.[368] According to Putin's aide, Putin responded by saying that it would "cause a total severance of relations" between Russia and the US as well as the West at large.[368][369]

The following day, Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov addressed the question about what Russia expected in response to its "security guarantees" proposals by saying that "we will not allow anyone to drag out our initiatives in endless discussions. If a constructive response does not follow within a reasonable time and the West continues its aggressive course, Russia will be forced to take every necessary action to ensure a strategic balance and to eliminate unacceptable threats to our security."[370]

On 10 January 2022, the US and Russia held bilateral talks in Geneva, whose purpose had been defined by the two sides as "to discuss concerns about their respective military activity and confront rising tensions over Ukraine".[371] The talks were led by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, and US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman.[372][373]

The Geneva meeting was followed by a meeting of the NATO–Russia Council in Brussels on 12 January that involved delegations from all thirty NATO countries and one from Russia to discuss (according to the official statement issued by NATO), "the situation in and around Ukraine, and the implications for European security".[374] The Russian MoD statement following the meeting stated that Russia "brought Russian assessments of the current state in the field of Euro-security, and also gave explanations on the military aspects of the Russian draft agreement on security guarantees."[375] The talks were judged by Russia to be unsuccessful.[376] Following the meeting, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that, with respect to Ukraine's potential accession to NATO, all NATO Allies were "united on the core principle that each and every nation has the right to choose his own path" and "Russia doesn't have a veto on whether Ukraine can become a NATO member. ... at the end of the day, it has to be NATO Allies and Ukraine that decides on membership."[377]

On 21 January 2022, Lavrov and Blinken met at Geneva. Blinken noted afterwards that the meeting "was not a negotiation but a candid exchange of concerns and ideas".[378] Following the meeting, Blinken said that the US had made clear to Russia that its renewed invasion would "be met with swift, severe and a united response from the United States and our partners and allies."[379]

The US delivered a formal written response to Russia's security demands on 26 January 2022. The response rejected Moscow's demand that NATO renounce its promise that Ukraine would be able to join NATO. Commenting on the content of the US response, Blinken said that the document "include[d] concerns of the United States and our allies and partners about Russia's actions that undermine security, a principled and pragmatic evaluation of the concerns that Russia has raised, and our own proposals for areas where we may be able to find common ground."[380]

On 1 February 2022, Putin said the US response had failed to address Moscow's "three key demands", namely the non-expansion of NATO, refusal to deploy offensive weapon systems close to the Russian borders, and bringing back NATO's military infrastructure to the status quo of 1997.[381][382] On 17 February, as the risk of Russian invasion of Ukraine was being assessed by the US and NATO as very high, Russia handed a letter to the US ambassador that blamed Washington for having ignored its main security demands.[383][202][384]

### United Nations Security Council[edit]

A UN Security Council meeting was convened on 31 January 2022 to discuss the ongoing crisis.[385] Russia tried to block the meeting, but the request was rejected with ten votes for the meeting to go ahead, two against and three abstentions.[386] During the debate, the US and Russia exchanged accusations among themselves. The US ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, accused Russia of "aggressive behavior", and posing a "clear threat to international peace and security". She said Russia had made the "largest military mobilization for decades in Europe", and was trying "to paint Ukraine and Western countries as the aggressors to fabricate a pretext for attack".[387][388][389]

Russia's ambassador to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya, accused the West of "hysterics" and of "whipping up tensions" over Ukraine.[387][388][389] He accused the US of "stoking the conflict" and the UNSC meeting was "an attempt to drive a wedge between Russia and Ukraine". According to him, Ukraine was not abiding by the Minsk Protocols of 2014 and 2015 to end the conflict with the separatists, and Western nations were "pumping Ukraine full of weapons" contrary to the Minsk Protocols. Nebenzya added that Ukraine's violation of the Minsk Protocols could end in the 'worst way'.[390]

Ukrainian permanent representative at the UN, Sergiy Kyslytsya, said Russia had deployed 112,000 troops near Ukraine's borders and in Crimea, with 18,000 deployed at sea off Ukraine's coast. China's permanent representative, Zhang Jun, said the meeting was counterproductive and "quiet diplomacy, not megaphone diplomacy" was needed.[391][392]

No resolution was agreed at the meeting.[393]

Later, the 21 February intervention in Donbass was widely condemned by the UN Security Council, and did not receive any support.[394] Kenya's ambassador, Martin Kimani, compared Putin's move to colonialism and said "We must complete our recovery from the embers of dead empires in a way that does not plunge us back into new forms of domination and oppression."[395]

Another UN Security Council meeting was convened on 23–24 February 2022. Russia invaded Ukraine during this UN Security Council emergency meeting aiming to defuse the crisis. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had stated: "Give peace a chance."[396] Russia invaded while holding the presidency of the UN Security Council for February 2022, and has veto power as one of five permanent members.[396][397]

### International treaties and negotiation structures[edit]

On 15 December 2021, Russia proposed documents that it referred to as "draft treaties", which referred to multiple international agreements, including the Charter for European Security and the NATO–Russia Council (NRC).[366][398][399] Responses from NATO and the US in January 2022 referred to NRC, the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE), the United States–Russia Strategic Stability Dialogue (SSD), the Helsinki Final Act, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the Normandy Format and other treaties and forums.[400][401]

Treaties and negotiation forums  Name  | Main parties  | First signatures or date formed  | Legal status  | Discussed in  | References

|
|
|
|
|

Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances | Ukraine, Russia, United States, United Kingdom  | 1994  | Non-binding  | Jan 2022 US response to Russia  | [401]
Charter for European Security  | OSCE members  | 1999  | Non-binding  | Dec 2021 Russian draft for US–Russia Agreement  | [402][398]
NATO–Russia Council (NRC)  | NATO, Russia  | 2002  | Informal forum  | Dec 2021 Russian draft for Russia–NATO Treaty  | [403][399]
Normandy Format  | France, Germany, Russia, Ukraine  | 2014  | Informal forum  | Jan 2022 US response to Russia  | [404][400][401]
Trilateral Contact Group on Ukraine | Ukraine, Russia and OSCE  | 2014  | Informal forum  | Jan 2022 US response to Russia  | [400]
United States–Russia Strategic Stability Dialogue (SSD)  | US, Russia  | 2021  | Informal forum  | Jan 2022 US response to Russia  | [400][401][405]

On 4 March 2022 Russia informed Norway that it would be unable to attend Norway's Cold Response, a biennial exercise which involves 30,000 troops from 27 countries.[406][v]

## Reactions[edit]

Main article: Reactions to the 2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis

It has been suggested that this article be merged into Reactions to the 2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis. (Discuss) Proposed since February 2022.

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This section may be too long and excessively detailed. Please consider summarizing the material while citing sources as needed. (February 2022)

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### Ukraine[edit]

In an interview with the French newspaper Libération in April 2021, Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba said that Russian troops' build-up on the north-east border with Ukraine, in Ukraine's eastern war zone, and in Crimea, and the deterioration of the situation in eastern Ukraine were the gravest since the attack on Ukrainian sailors in the Kerch Strait in November 2018.[408]

In November 2021, Kyrylo Budanov, the chief of Ukraine's military intelligence, said that Russia was preparing for an attack by the end of January or beginning of February 2022.[409] On 25 January 2022, defence minister Oleksii Reznikov said he saw no immediate threat of a full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. He insisted that the threat had not significantly increased in eight years as "the Russian army ha[d] not formed a strike group that would be able to carry out an invasion".[410][411]

On 28 January 2022, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on the West not to create a "panic" in his country over a potential Russian invasion, adding that constant warnings of an "imminent" threat of invasion are putting the economy of Ukraine at risk.[412][413] Zelenskyy said that "we do not see a bigger escalation" than in early 2021 when Russian military build-up started.[414] On 2 February, the US White House said it would no longer describe a potential invasion as "imminent".[415]

On 12 February 2022, Zelenskyy said of the White House's warnings about the "imminent" threat of the Russian invasion that "the best friend of our enemies is panic in our country. And all this information only causes panic and does not help us."[189] Davyd Arakhamia, the head of the faction of Zelenskyy's Servant of the People party in the Verkhovna Rada, said the constant warnings of a possible imminent Russian invasion of Ukraine "costs the country $2–3 billion every month."[416]

On 19 February 2022, speaking at the Munich Security Conference 2022, Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized the "policy of appeasement" towards Russia and called the Western countries to help.[417] He also said that Ukraine will not respond to the provocations by the Russian-led militants in Donbas, following the escalation and death of two Ukrainian soldiers.[418] On 22 February 2022, Zelenskyy said he will consider the possibility of severing Ukraine's diplomatic relations with Russia.[419]

### Russia[edit]

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov meets with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on 2 December 2021

Despite the Russian military build-ups, Russian officials over months repeatedly denied that Russia had plans to invade Ukraine.[49][50][420][421] In mid-November 2021, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that it was "alarmist" to consider that Russia was planning to invade Ukraine.[148]

On 27 November, Sergei Naryshkin, director of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service, addressed allegations of plans to invade Ukraine by stating: "I need to reassure everyone. Nothing like this is going to happen", and blaming "malicious propaganda by the US State Department" for the situation.[422] On 28 November, Dmitry Peskov, the spokesman for Putin, stated that "Russia has never hatched, is not hatching and will never hatch any plans to attack anyone ... Russia is a peaceful country".[49] On 30 November, Putin stated that an expansion of NATO's presence in Ukraine, especially the deployment of any long-range missiles capable of striking Russian cities or missile defense systems similar to those in Romania and Poland, would be a "red line" issue for Russia.[423][424][425]

On 19 January 2022, Russian deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov said that Russia does "not want and will not take any action of aggressive character. We will not attack, strike, [sic] invade, 'whatever' Ukraine."[49] In late January 2022, Nikolay Zhuravlev, Vice Speaker of the Federation Council, warned that Europe would not receive natural gas, petroleum and metals from Russia in the event that Russia was disconnected from the SWIFT international payment system, moreover such a move could not be feasible as it would require consent of all the countries participating in this system.[426]

Also in late January 2022, Nikolai Patrushev, secretary of Russia's Security Council, said that the idea that Russia is "threatening Ukraine" was "absolutely ridiculous" and added: "We don't want war. We don't need that at all."[427] Russia's deputy foreign minister, Alexander Grushko condemned the deployment of NATO troops, warships, and fighter jets in Eastern Europe, saying that the military alliance was "demonising Russia" in order to "justify military activity on [NATO's] eastern flank".[428] Russia accused Ukraine of not implementing Minsk agreements reached in 2015 with the aim of establishing peace in Donbas.[429]

On 7 February 2022, Putin said at a joint press conference with French president Emmanuel Macron: "A number of [Macron's] ideas, proposals ... are possible as a basis for further steps. We will do everything to find compromises that suit everyone."[430] On 12 February 2022, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused the United States and its allies of waging a "propaganda campaign" about Russian invasion of Ukraine.[431] He described Western "demands to remove Russian troops from Russian territory" as "regrettable".[432]

On 20 February, Russia's ambassador to the US, Anatoly Antonov, said that Russian forces "don't threaten anyone ... There is no invasion. There is [sic] no such plans".[50] On 21 February, President Putin signed a decree recognizing the two self-proclaimed separatist republics in Donbas as independent states.[313]

### International community[edit]

* Albania and  Kosovo – Albanian Armed Forces Colonel Ardian Lulaj and Kosovar Head of Strategic Communication Colonel Sefer Isufi both stated in early December 2021 that their respective countries would be willing to deploy Albanian Armed Forces and Kosovo Security Forces in a putative future mission in Ukraine should the US decide to lead such an endeavor.[433]
* Argentina – On 22 February 2022, Argentina's government issued a statement condenming the use of force in Ukraine and called for diplomatic negotiations, in order to maintain international peace and security. The statement appealed to all parties involved to resolve their differences through dialogue, in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter and International Law, the peaceful settlement of disputes, and the non-use of force between states, with full respect for human rights.[434]
* Armenia – Armenia called on Russia and Ukraine to solve all problems through diplomatic dialogue, negotiations, in accordance with the norms and principles of international law and the UN Charter.[435]
* Australia – On 24 January, the Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne offered assistance to Ukraine in combating Russian cyber attacks. She also called on Russia to "de-escalate" tensions and urged Australians living in Ukraine to evacuate.[436] Similar sentiments were expressed by Finance Minister Simon Birmingham, who warned that Australia would raise financial sanctions against Russia in the event of hostilities.[437]
* Belarus – President of Belarus and Chairman of the Supreme State Council of the Union State, Alexander Lukashenko, on 21 January 2022 said the Union State "d[id] not want war", but all those who would threaten Russia and Belarus would find themselves in difficulty.[438] He also stated that he would send "a whole contingent of the Belarusian army" to the border with Ukraine, because "Ukrainians allegedly began to draw troops there."[439] On 18 January 2022, the Digital Forensic Research Lab of the Atlantic Council expert group published a review of the arrival of Russian troops in the Republic of Belarus. In particular, it was about unloading Russian BM-27 Uragan multiple rocket launchers at the Rechytsa station in the Gomel Oblast north of Kyiv.[440] On 17 February, when asked by a journalist whether Belarus was ready to offer military assistance to Russia should the latter decide to help the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic, Lukashenko said, "We will provide any support to Russia, both military and, if necessary, economic support. We will share the last piece of bread with them and with people who suffer in Donbass. If it is Chernigov, we will help Chernigov residents. This is our unwavering position."[441]
* Belgium – On 24 January 2022, Belgian Chief of Defence Michel Hofman said that Belgian forces were on standby in the Baltic, and prepared "to intervene within a certain amount of time, but today it is too early to say where and how" should the situation escalate.[442]

Putin and Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on 16 February 2022

* Brazil – Brazil's president Jair Bolsonaro arrived in Moscow for trade talks with Putin on 16 February 2022.[443] Bolsonaro said: "We pray for peace and respect all who act in that way."[444]
* Bulgaria – In early January, Bulgarian Minister of Defense Stefan Yanev responded to a parliamentary question on the deployment of additional military units in Bulgarian territory that Bulgaria opposes "escalation of military measures before all other diplomatic means are used" and that Bulgaria had as of yet "no national position" on the situation.[445] On 21 January, Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov condemned the Russian call for Bulgaria to leave NATO and for NATO troops to be withdrawn from Bulgaria and Romania, while President Rumen Radev called the statement "unacceptable".[446]
* Canada – In January 2022, the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau stated that Canada would provide Ukraine with a CDN$120 million loan, but will not transfer military equipment.[447] On 14 February 2022, Trudeau announced that Canada would provide a $500 million loan and send $7.8 million in lethal equipment to Ukraine.[8]

Putin and the Chinese President Xi Jinping on 4 February 2022

* China – Chinese leader and General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party Xi Jinping supported Russia's demand that Ukraine must never join NATO.[448] On 14 January 2022, a spokesman of China's Foreign Ministry emphasized that all countries should observe a traditional UN Olympic Truce resolution "from seven days before the start of the Olympic Games until seven days after the end of the Paralympic Games". Under this timeframe, the proposed truce resolution would thus begin on 28 January 2022 and conclude on 20 March 2022.[449]
* Colombia – On 13 February 2022, Colombia's President Ivan Duque instructed its Chancellery to contact all Colombians registered as residing in Ukraine to offer them repatriation assistance. Duque has rejected any attempt to use force to limit any country from deciding whether or not to join NATO.[450] On 15 February 2022, Ivan Duque stated that Colombia will accompany the international community imposing sanctions in case of military aggression against Ukraine.[451]
* Croatia – On 19 January 2022, Croatia's Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, speaking to the Sabor, said that the situation in the east of Ukraine was very worrying and the most tense since 2014 and told: "Croatia does not want the situation to escalate and it will react clearly and resolutely to prevent any instability".[452][453] On 25 January 2022, Croatia's President Zoran Milanović, noting what he called NATO's military build-up in the region and the Biden administration's "inconsistent and dangerous conduct" in international security affairs and stressing his role as Croatia's commander-in-chief, told the press, "We do not have any bearing on this and we will not have anything to do with this. I guarantee this. Croatia will not send any troops in case of an escalation. On the contrary, it will recall all troops, to the last Croatian soldier."[454][455] Milanović went on to say that an "arrangement to meet Russia's security interests" ought to be found and that the acute crisis over Ukraine was "primarily determined by the dynamics of the US domestic politics".[455] On the same day, Prime Minister Andrej Plenković reacted to the president's remarks by saying that on hearing those he thought it was being said "by some Russian official"; he also offered apologies to Ukraine and its government for Milanović's accusation of Ukraine as "one of the most corrupt states" and reiterated that Croatia supported Ukraine's territorial integrity and no Croat troops were in Ukraine, while the president's statement "had nothing whatsoever to do with the policy of the government of the Republic of Croatia".[456]
* Cuba – Miguel Díaz-Canel expressed his support for Vladimir Putin during the crisis.[457]
* Czech Republic – On 26 January 2022, the Czech government decided to donate 4,006 152-mm artillery shells, for DANA howitzers, worth 36.6 million korunas, to Ukraine.[458][459]
* Denmark – On 13 January 2022, Denmark sent four F-16 fighter jets and a frigate with a crew of 160 people to the Baltic states to reinforce the NATO Enhanced Forward Presence and patrol the sea.[460][461]
* Estonia,  Latvia and  Lithuania – On 10 January 2022, Lithuania's State Defense Council was convened to discuss the Russian-Ukrainian tensions. In response to the aggressive Russian military behaviour, the council decided to increase the number of troops and speed up military modernization plans.[462] On 17 January, Latvia increased the military presence in the eastern part of the country.[463] On 19 January, the Prime Minister of Estonia announced an extraordinary increase of defense spending by €380 million for the current fiscal year.[464] The Baltic states also decided to accelerate their own acquisition of arms, including the joint rocket artillery system.[465][466] Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have also requested to increase the military deployments of NATO and American troops in the Baltics in order to deter the aggressive Russian behaviour.[467]
* Finland and  Sweden – Russian proposals that NATO would not accept new members received strong criticism by Sweden and Finland, who have been maintaining neutrality. In January 2022, both President of Finland Sauli Niinistö and Prime Minister Sanna Marin insisted on Finland's right to decide what alliances it can join.[468] Sweden expressed the same position that it is only up to the Swedish people to decide whether Sweden should join NATO.[469] Russian threats have sparked the debate in both countries whether they should apply for NATO membership.[470][471] On 13 January, Swedish Armed Forces announced that they were deploying troops to the strategic island of Gotland, as a response to unusual Russian military activity.[472]

Putin and the French President Emmanuel Macron during a meeting in Moscow, on 7 February 2022

* France – In April 2021, French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian, during a phone conversation with Ukrainian Minister for Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba, noted that France was anxiously monitoring the withdrawal of Russian troops to the borders of Ukraine and the temporarily occupied territories. He assured of France's continued support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The head of French diplomacy especially noted Ukraine's prudent and wise actions in the current situation.[473]
* Germany – In April 2021, during a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, German Chancellor Angela Merkel demanded that Russia reduce its military presence near Ukraine's borders.[474] In December 2021, German chancellor Olaf Scholz warned of "consequences" for Nord Stream 2, a Russian natural gas pipeline project operated by Gazprom, which delivers natural gas to Germany.[475][476] In January 2022, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock warned that "any further escalation would carry a high price for the Russian regime — economic, political and strategic".[477] Germany has been maintaining the policy of not providing Ukraine with lethal weapons. German Defence Minister Christine Lambrecht said that Germany wants to "de-escalate" tensions and that supplying weapons would "not be helpful".[478] Ukraine also claimed that the German administration blocks the supply of arms through NATO.[479] On 21 January 2022, it was reported that Germany blocked Estonia from exporting weapons of German-origin.[480] Latvian Defense Minister Artis Pabriks has called Germany's relationship with Russia (and China) as "immoral and hypocritical".[481] On 26 January, Germany announced that it was going to ship 5,000 helmets to Ukraine, while reaffirming that it wasn't going to supply any lethal weapon. The mayor of Kyiv and former world heavyweight boxing champion Vitali Klitschko described this offer as "a joke".[482][483]
* Hungary – Hungarian Defence Minister Tibor Benkő declared that there is no need for NATO to deploy its troops in Hungary.[484]
* India – On 28 January 2022, the spokesperson for the Indian Ministry of External Affairs Arindam Bagchi stated that the situation in Ukraine and the high-level discussions between Russia and the US were being closely monitored. The statement called "for a peaceful resolution of the situation through sustained diplomatic efforts for long term peace and stability in the region and beyond".[485] On 29 January it was reported that the Indian Embassy in Ukraine had asked all Indians living there – mostly students in medical colleges – to register themselves so that it could provide information in a swift manner.[486][487] Unlike other states, India did not evacuate its diplomats.[488] The Indian Express highlighted the Indian Government's difficult situation: on one hand, it was concerned about Russia's "muscle-flexing", but with almost 60 per cent of India's military supplies being Russian-manufactured and with the ongoing military stand-off with China, it did not want to jeopardise its close military ties with Moscow; on the other hand, the US and Europe were also important strategic partners.[487] Indian media outlets noted how hostility and sanctions against Russia would create problems for the country's S-400 missile deal and likely "push Moscow in the direction of Beijing, hence strengthening the Chinese".[486][487] On 31 January, India abstained from the procedural vote at the United Nations Security Council ahead of a meeting to discuss the situation on the Ukraine border.[489][490] Later, on 17 February, its Permanent Representative to the UN TS Tirumurti issued a statement supporting the Minsk Agreements and emphasising that "the issue can only be resolved through diplomatic dialogue".[491] The Indian Embassy in Ukraine, prompted by "high levels of tensions and uncertainties", released two advisories on 15 and 20 February asking all its nationals, especially students, to temporarily leave Ukraine if their stay was not "essential". A 24-hour helpline and an MEA control room was also set up.[492][493][494][495] Family members of the Indian embassy staff were also to be sent home.[493]
* Indonesia – Indonesian president Joko Widodo issued statements to urge both Ukraine and Russia sides to de-escalate and avoided war at all costs. He also urged the countries to focus on ongoing COVID-19 pandemic rather intensifying the political rivalry.[496][497] On 24 February, after the Russian invasion, President Joko Widodo tweeted an urge to stop war as it made the world in danger and humanity suffered.[498] In separate statement, the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasize the obligation of nations to respect international laws and UN Charter concerning territorial integrity, and condemned clear aggression of territory and sovereignty of a nation. The Indonesian Embassy in Kyiv assured safety of 138 Indonesian citizens in Ukrainian territory, including 11 at Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, and prepared to call them to embassy if situation deteriorates.[499][500]
* Iran – Iran's Foreign Ministry urged all parties to avoid escalation, while blaming NATO and the United States for provocation.[501][502]
* Israel – In late January 2022, Israel considered airlifting thousands of Jews out of Ukraine.[503] On 11 February 2022, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement urging Israeli citizens and diplomats to consider leaving the country.[504] In February 2022, the Ukrainian Ambassador to Israel claimed Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid "reiterates rhetoric of Russian propaganda", after Lapid said that Israeli officials "don't see a violent confrontation soon" between Ukraine and Russia. The Israeli Foreign Ministry subsequently summoned the Ukrainian Ambassador for an official reprimand.[505] On 13 February 2022, The Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs has stated that Israel's official policy in the crisis is in support of Ukraine and the West.[506] Israel refused to provide Ukraine with batteries for its Iron Dome's missile-defense system over worries it would damage Israel–Russia relations.[507] On 23 February, Israel issued an official statement in support of Ukraine's territorial integrity, and stated its readiness to provide humanitarian aid to Ukraine.[508] Following the Russian invasion, Israel provided an official condemnation of Russia's action in the crisis and once again said it was ready to provide humanitarian aid to Ukraine.[509]

Speaking to the Parliament on 3 February, the Italian President Sergio Mattarella condemned Russia's behavior

* Italy – On 3 February, during his second inauguration speech, President of Italy Sergio Mattarella said he could not accept "the winds of confrontation once again blowing across a continent that had experienced the tragedies of the First and Second World Wars".[510][511] Prime Minister Mario Draghi underlined the importance of working towards a de-escalation of tensions, in light of the serious consequences that an aggravation of the crisis would have.[512] On 11 February 2022, in Riga to meet his Latvian counterpart, Artis Pabriks, the Italian Defence Minister Lorenzo Guerini called for "a constructive dialogue" with Russia to ease tensions.[513] On 13 February, the Italian government declared to be ready to deploy 1,000 soldiers on NATO's Eastern border.[514] Italy's foreign affairs minister Luigi Di Maio travelled to Kyiv on 15 February 2022 to meet his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba, while on 17 February, he had a bilateral meeting with the Russian foreign affairs minister Sergey Lavrov.[515] In Moscow, Di Maio stated that "Italy has always been committed to the front row for a diplomatic solution. Russia and Ukraine can count on Italy to reach a diplomatic solution".[516] On 22 February, Draghi described Russia's recognition of separatist republics as an "unacceptable territorial violation of the democratic sovereignty of Ukraine",[517] while on the following day he stated that Italy can not tolerate Russia's prevarications and abuses.[518]

On 25 February, Prime Minister of Japan Fumio Kishida holds a press conference on Russia's invasion of Ukraine

* Japan – Prime Minister of Japan Fumio Kishida said he and Biden would work closely to prevent a Russian invasion of Ukraine and "keep close contact with other allies and partners and continue communicating on the point that any attack will be met with strong action." In a tweet, Biden said it was "an honor to meet with Prime Minister Kishida to further strengthen the US-Japan Alliance — the cornerstone of peace and security in the Indo-Pacific and around the world."[519] On 11 February 2022, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs raised its travel warning for Ukraine to the highest level, advising Japanese citizens to leave Ukraine immediately and avoid travelling there under any circumstance.[520] Kishida said at a press conference on February 25 that condemn Russia's military attack as a violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and that Japan would impose additional sanctions targeting Russia.[521]
* Kazakhstan – Amid reports of a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stated that the Russian president personally assured him that the territorial integrity of Kazakhstan will not be questioned by Russia.[522]
* Kenya – The country's representative to the UN, Martin Kimani, abstained from a vote about Russia's conduct in Ukraine to hope for diplomacy. However, after Russia's recognition of the breakaway republics on 22 February 2022, Kimani condemned Russia and said it "breaches the territorial integrity" of Ukraine.[523][524]
* Malaysia – On 24 February, after the Russian invasion, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob expressed sorrow over the situation in Ukraine and expressed a hope for a peaceful solution between Ukraine and Russia leading to a conflict resolution. He confirmed 11 Malaysian citizen were still at Ukraine at that moment, promising shelter for them before they could safely evacuate.[525] Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim later issued statement condemning the Russian agresssion.[526]
* Moldova – President of Moldova Maia Sandu on 21 January 2022 said that the Moldovan authorities were looking closely into the situation in Ukraine and that certain measures were being taken to prepare for potential outcomes of the crisis. She also demanded the withdrawal of Russian troops from Transnistria, a breakaway territory legally and internationally considered as part of Moldova.[527] Sandu also called for calm to the citizens of Moldova in the face of the developments in Ukraine and expressed her confidence in the possibility of a diplomatic solution.[528] Later, Sandu met with Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte and discussed with him the tensions in the Russia–Ukraine border. During the meeting, Rutte expressed his support for Moldova's territorial integrity in regard to Transnistria.[529]
* New Zealand – On 12 February 2022, Minister of Foreign Affairs Nanaia Mahuta stated that the New Zealand Government was concerned about the Russian military buildup on the Ukrainian border and in Crimea, and supported Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. She urged New Zealand citizens in Ukraine to evacuate while commercial means were still available. She called on Russia to reduce tensions in accordance with international law. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern echoed Mahuta's remarks, stating that New Zealand was considering applying targeted sanctions against Moscow.[530]
* Nicaragua – President Daniel Ortega expressed support for Russia's recognition of the LPR and DPR, declaring that Russia was "defending itself" from NATO.[531][532]
* North Korea – On 28 February 2022, KCNA stated that "The root cause of the Ukraine crisis totally lies in the hegemonic policy of the U.S. and the West".[533]
* Pakistan – Prime Minister Imran Khan announced he opposes military intervention, believing that the crisis can be resolved "peacefully". It was announced on 22 February 2022 that Pakistan would make a high-level visit to Moscow.[534]
* Poland – Polish President Andrzej Duda announced that Ukraine can count on Polish support if Russia attacks, and called for a unified stance in Europe.[535] On 21 January, the head of National Security Bureau Paweł Soloch stated that "supporting Ukraine is one of the key priorities of President Andrzej Duda's policy", while Duda and Zelenskyy discussed the possibility of further Polish and NATO defensive equipment deliveries.[536]
* Romania – The Minister of National Defence of Romania, Vasile Dîncu, said that, in the event of a new Russian–Ukrainian war, Romania would not be militarily involved and that it would remain in a strategic relationship with NATO and react together with the alliance in the face of such a hypothetical case.[537] Furthermore, the President of Romania Klaus Iohannis urged the Romanian Armed Forces to be prepared for any aggression in the region, stating that the situation in Ukraine showed that measures of modernization and preparation of the Romanian military were necessary. Iohannis also called for a greater presence of NATO, the United States and other allies in the Black Sea region as a result of the tensions between Russia and Ukraine.[538] On 20 February, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs "strongly" recommended all Romanian citizens to avoid any travel to Ukraine and leave Ukraine "as soon as possible".[539]
* Serbia – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Serbia recommended that citizens of Serbia who stayed in Ukraine consider the possibility of temporarily leaving the territory of that country.[540] The Prime Minister of Serbia, Ana Brnabić, assessed that a possible more serious aggravation of the relations between Ukraine and Russia would have serious economic implications for Serbia as well, and emphasized that official Belgrade hopes that dialogue will win.[541]
* Singapore – On 22 February 2022, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that "Ukraine's sovereignty, territorial integrity 'must be respected'" and that "All parties concerned should continue to pursue dialogue, including diplomatic means, towards a peaceful settlement of the dispute, in accordance with international law, and avoid action that will further raise tensions in the region.[542] Earlier in February, Singapore advised its citizens based in Ukraine "to leave the country as soon as possible via commercial means while it is still possible to do so."[543]
* South Korea – President of South Korea Moon Jae-in ordered government ministries to prepare for the safe evacuation of Koreans in Ukraine, and draw up measures to mitigate damages to Korean companies, citing the threat of a looming Russian invasion of Ukraine.[544] Korea is eyeing the building crisis over Russia's military build-up near Ukraine and stands ready to cooperate with its allies, Defense Ministry said.[545] On 11 February 2022, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has decided to ban its nationals from traveling to all regions of Ukraine and urged those staying there to evacuate immediately amid brewing tensions in the region.[546]
* South Africa – In a statement by Department of International Relations and Cooperation on 24 February, the South African Government "regretted that the situation has deteriorated despite calls for diplomacy to prevail". The statement called for Russia to withdraw its forces from Ukraine immediately, while it called for peaceful resolution of the conflict.[547][548]
* Slovakia – The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Slovakia, Ivan Korčok, stated that the ceasefire and the announcement of an increase in Russia's military power on the border with Ukraine are a matter of concern and called for de-escalation of tensions.[549]
* Spain – On 20 January 2022, Spain started deploying aircraft, ships and NATO forces to Bulgaria and the Black Sea.[550] Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares also stated that Spain wanted "dialogue, but if does not bear fruit, of course, Spain will stand with its European partners and its NATO allies united in deterrence".[551]
* Switzerland – On 21 January 2022, Switzerland continued to facilitate direct negotiations between Russia and the United States to avert an armed confrontation in Eastern Europe. Swiss President Ignazio Cassis explained during a press conference in Geneva "Switzerland is concerned over growing tensions. We are totally convinced that dialogue is the only way to reinforce security in Europe".[552] On 27 February 2022, the Swiss Federal Council announced adherence to all sanctions imposed by the European Union against Russia. Exempt from these sanctions are payments for energy raw materials. Furthermore, Switzerland will not allow direct shipments of arms to the war zone and only support humanitarian missions during the crisis.[553]
* Syria – On 22 February 2022, Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad announced its country's support to the Russian recognition of the republics' independence.[554]
* Turkey – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs have stated that Russian actions are "unacceptable" and strongly condemned Russia over its "grave violation of international law", while reiterating "support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity".[555] Furthermore, a commercial Turkish-owned vessel was hit by a Russian bomb off the coast of Odessa, for which Turkish authorities stated there were no casualties and the ship safely arrived in the territorial waters of Romania, a NATO ally.[556] On 27 February, Turkey referred to the invasion as a "war," rhetorically bringing the conflict under the 1936 Montreux Convention Regarding the Regime of the Straits and permitting Turkey to prohibit Russian as well as other foreign warships in the Bosporus and Dardanelles.[557]
* United Arab Emirates – The United Arab Emirates largely remained silent on the issue. One of the UAE's major allies, the US, called for the Emirates to vote for the UN Security Council resolution condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine and demanding Moscow to withdraw its troops. The Arab nation abstained from voting, taking no side at all, stating that it would "only lead to more violence". The UAE maintained strong relations with both Russia and the US. The Emirati decision was perceived as an independent foreign policy approach, after it depended on the US for such decisions for a long time.[558][559] Consequently, Russian oligarchs started viewing the UAE as a safe option to shift their assets and wealth. Many of them attempted to evade the Western sanctions.[560] Investigations revealed that the Russian oligarchs and businessmen moved their yachts to Dubai.[561] Their private jets were also found travelling back and forth between Moscow and Dubai.[562] Besides, Russians were also seeking for investing in real estate in the UAE.[560] In their search for safe havens, the rich Russians began shifting hundreds of millions of dollars of funds into the banks in the UAE from the sanctioning countries like the UK and Switzerland.[563] Crypto companies in the Emirates received multiple requests from the Russians to liquidate billions of dollars of virtual currency. While some wanted to use cryptocurrency to invest in the Emirati properties, others wanted to turn the virtual money into hard cash and to store it elsewhere.[564]
* United Kingdom – Foreign Secretary Liz Truss on 22 January 2022 wrote on Twitter that the UK would "not tolerate Kremlin plot to install pro-Russian leadership in Ukraine."[223] The following day, Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab said that there was "a very significant risk Russia w[ould] invade Ukraine" and threatened "very significant economic consequences" if Russia took that step.[565] On 7 February 2022, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Britain would not "flinch" as he prepared to deploy Royal Marines, RAF aircraft, and Royal Navy warships to eastern Europe.[283] British citizens were being told by the Foreign Office to evacuate while commercial means were still available.[566] On 14 February 2022, Johnson warned an invasion of Ukraine could take place within 48 hours.[567] Health Secretary Sajid Javid described the movement of Russian troops across the border as an "invasion of Ukraine".[568]

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken gave a speech in Berlin about a potential Russian invasion of Ukraine, 20 January 2022

* United States – On 2 April 2021, President Biden had his first telephone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.[569] On 13 April, Biden had a telephone call with Russian President Putin; Biden "emphasized the United States' unwavering commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity"; Biden also voiced US concern "over the sudden Russian military build-up in occupied Crimea and on Ukraine's borders, and called on Russia to de-escalate tensions."[570][571] In mid-April 2021, the US Department of the Treasury, along with the EU, UK, Australia, and Canada, sanctioned eight individuals and entities "associated with Russia's ongoing occupation and repression in Crimea."[572] On 19 January 2022, President Biden said that he believed Russia would invade Ukraine.[573] Biden said a full-scale invasion of Ukraine would be "the most consequential thing that's happened in the world in terms of war and peace" since World War II.[574] On 22 January 2022, the US Embassy in Kyiv requested the evacuation of non-essential personnel along with their families by the United States Department of State.[575] The State Department issued an advisory not to travel to Ukraine or Russia, citing ongoing tension along the Russia–Ukraine border and COVID-19.[576] On 10 February 2022, Joe Biden urged all American citizens in Ukraine to leave immediately and ruled out the option of sending US troops to rescue Americans in the country, the State Department issuing an advisory that the US "will not be able to evacuate US citizens in the event of Russian military action anywhere in Ukraine".[577] On 11 February 2022, Biden's national security advisor Jake Sullivan publicly warned about the likelihood of a Russian invasion of Ukraine prior to the end the 2022 Winter Olympics.[578] On 12 February 2022, senior official of the Biden administration told reporters "We are basing this assessment on what we're seeing on the ground with our own eyes, which is the continued Russian buildup on the border with Ukraine, and no meaningful evidence of de-escalation."[579] On 14 February, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the relocation of the US Ukraine embassy from the capital Kyiv to Lviv, citing a "dramatic acceleration in the buildup of Russian forces".[580]
* Uruguay – On 23 February 2022, Uruguay's Ministry of Foreign Relations issued a statement condemning the use of force and urging all parties involved to take the necessary measures to reduce tensions and achieve a political agreement. The Uruguayan government expressed "concern" about the situation with the recognition of the separatist republics of Donetsk and Luhansk as sovereign states by Russia and the displacement of military troops, in violation of the principles of the Charter of the United Nations. In addition, it expressed that the country considers that the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2202 "provides the way for the application of the Minsk agreements, leading to a peaceful and lasting solution to the conflict", and that the solution should "respect the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity" of Ukraine.[581]
* Vatican City – Pope Francis called for peace several times during Sunday's Angelus and weekly General Audiences, describing war as "madness".[582][583][584] In addition, he called 26 January to be a day of prayer for peace.[585]
* Venezuela – Nicolás Maduro expressed his full support for Vladimir Putin during a Russian diplomatic delegation visit in the Miraflores presidential palace, ratifying the way for military cooperation.[586] Maduro further expressed "all his support" after Putin's recognition of the Donetsk and Luhansk and the Russian mobilization into the territories.[587] Juan Guaidó, on the other hand, described the action as an "illegal recognition" and "unilateral action of intervention", and rejected the deployment of troops in the territories.[588]
* Vietnam – Vietnam on 25 February 2022 said it is seriously concerned with the armed conflict situation in Ukraine and called for restraint on the part of all sides. A spokesperson for the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 25 February 2022 urged "all relevant parties to exercise restraint, abide by the United Nations Charter and basic principles of international law, refrain from using force, protect the people, continue with dialogue to seek a peaceful resolution, contributing to the maintenance of peace, security, stability, and cooperation in the region and the world." The spokesperson said Vietnam is paying special attention to the Vietnamese community in Ukraine, asking for the protection of life, safety, assets, legitimate rights and interests of Vietnamese citizens and businesses here.[589]

#### Entities with limited recognition[edit]

* Abkhazia – On 22 February 2022, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs published a statement welcoming the recognition of independence of the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics by Russian President Vladimir Putin.[590]
* Republic of Artsakh – On 22 February 2022, the President of the breakaway state Arayik Harutyunyan welcomed the decision of President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin to "recognize the independence of the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics." He stated that "the right of nations to self-determination and building one's own state is inalienable for every people and is a fundamental principle of the international law."[591]
* Taiwan – On 28 January 2022, President Tsai Ing-Wen instructed the National Security Council to establish a task force monitoring events in Ukraine. She compared Russia's military buildup around Ukrainian territories to China's repeated invasion of Taiwan's ADIZ, stating that "Taiwan has faced military threats and intimidation from China for a long time. Therefore, we empathize with Ukraine's situation, and we also support the efforts of all parties to maintain regional security," and pleading for peaceful dialogue.[592]

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy in Kyiv on 2 February 2022

In February 2022, following warnings from Western nations that a Russian invasion could be near, more than a dozen countries have encouraged their nationals to leave Ukraine. The United States, the United Kingdom, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Germany are among the countries that have advised their citizens to leave.[593]

#### Intergovernmental bodies[edit]

* European Union – On 24 January 2022, due to the conflict, the European Commission proposed €1.2 billion financial aid for Ukraine in grants and loans.[594] The European Union is negotiating possible liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies with the United States, Qatar and Azerbaijan in case Russia stops gas exports to Europe.[595]
* NATO – NATO had repeatedly called upon Russia to respect Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity and condemned Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea and support of separatists in eastern Donbas, calling for a resolution of the Donbas conflict via the Minsk agreements.[596] In December 2021, as Russia continued a military buildup in and around Ukraine, the NATO Parliamentary Assembly met with Ukrainian leaders to reaffirm the alliance's support for Ukraine, to call upon NATO members to enhance delivery of defensive weapon systems to Ukraine, and to counter Russian disinformation.[597] NATO and the US have re-affirmed NATO's "open door" policy, maintaining that countries should freely choose whether to join NATO or not.[598] NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on 13 January 2022 said: "No one else has the right to try to veto or interfere in that process. And this is about fundamental principles for European security. It's about the right for every nation to choose their own path."[599] In an interview, Stoltenberg re-affirmed NATO's "dual track" approach to Russia, saying, "We are ready to engage in dialogue with Russia, but we will never compromise on core principles for European security....Russia has a choice to either engage in dialogue with NATO and Western allies or choose confrontation. We need to be clear-eyed about the prospect that Russia will — once again — use military force against Ukraine. We will provide support to Ukraine to enable them to strengthen their ability to defend themselves."[600] On 24 January 2022, Jens Stoltenberg, noting a number of NATO countries′ announcements regarding ongoing or upcoming deployments, said, "I welcome Allies contributing additional forces to NATO. NATO will continue to take all necessary measures to protect and defend all Allies, including by reinforcing the eastern part of the Alliance."[601] (One of the Russian government's security demands forwarded to the US and NATO in December 2021 was that NATO stop expanding eastwards, specifically never admit Georgia as well as Ukraine.[596])
* UN – On 21 February 2022, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres qualified the decision of the Russian Federation "related to the status of certain regions of Ukraine" to be "a violation of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine and inconsistent with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations."[602]

See also: 2021–2022 global energy crisis

* International Energy Agency – IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol said that conflict between Russia and Ukraine "would [have] major implications" on the natural gas prices, "if not leading to turmoil".[603]

### Civil society[edit]

See also: Civil volunteer movement helping Ukrainian forces in the war in Donbas

* Anonymous (hacker group) – The decentralized hacking group had dedicated some of their defacements of websites such as those of belonging to the United Nations and the Polar Research Institute of China, to promote proposals in order to defuse the crisis, including by calling for the creation of a "neutral grouping" of countries "wedged between NATO and Russia" that would include Ukraine, Finland, Belarus, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Moldova. Anonymous argued that the so-called "neutral security belt" could serve as an alliance similar to NATO or the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) that acts as a cordon sanitaire between NATO and CSTO countries in order to "assuage Russia's fears without NATO losing its face". Furthermore, they embedded Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft senior fellow Anatol Lieven's paper "Ending the Threat of War in Ukraine" at the defacement page and called for a referendum on whether to presumably follow the existing Minsk Protocol or hand over the separatist-controlled territories to a UN peacekeeping administration. Later, a second referendum in the separatist regions would then ask voters to choose to reunite with Ukraine, gain independence, or join Russia.[604][605]
* Belarusian opposition – On 24 January, Belarusian hacktivists stated that they had disrupted Belarusian Railway "servers, databases and workstations" using ransomware, while leaving automation and security systems in place. They promised to decrypt the systems provided that 50 political prisoners were released and that Russian soldiers were prevented from entering Belarus.[606] Dzmitry Bandarenka, coordinator of the European Belarus civil campaign, told Charter 97 on 26 January 2022, that he believed that in the event of Russian aggression, tens of thousands of Belarusians would fight against the Russian Federation on Ukraine's side and defend their country's independence.[607]
* Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople – Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew on 13 January 2022 called for peace in Ukraine. The Ecumenical Patriarch said: "Peace is a matter of choice and must be shared by all the forces engaged in this extremely complex and sensitive geopolitical context."[608]
* Metropolis of Bessarabia – Representants of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of Bessarabia in Moldova announced that this institution was closely looking at the situation at the borders of Ukraine. The metropolis also published a statement asking for peace in the region and saying that it was praying for this to be the case.[609]
* Russian intellectuals – On 30 January 2022, 90 Russian intellectuals, including Lev Ponomaryov and Svetlana Gannushkina, issued a public statement on Echo of Moscow urging the Russian government to avoid starting an "immoral, irresponsible, and criminal" war between Russia and Ukraine.[610] As of 7 February 2022[update], the statement had been signed by 5,000 Russian intellectuals.[611][612] On 31 January, retired Colonel General Leonid Ivashov published a statement on behalf of the All-Russian Officers' Assembly[613] that opposed the Russian threat to attack Ukraine, describing it as a "criminal policy of provoking a war" and calling for Putin to resign.[611] On 20 February, Ponomaryov and seven others, including Yuri Samodurov, held solitary street protests in Pushkinskaya Square in Moscow against the Russian threat to attack Ukraine. The eight protestors were arrested.[614]
* Ukrainian citizens – On 5 February 2022, from two to five thousand people in Kharkiv protested against the Russian threat to invade Ukraine.[615][616] On 12 February, two thousand people protested in Kyiv to show unity in opposition to the threat of a further Russian invasion of Ukraine.[617][618]
* Orthodox Church of Ukraine – Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine Epiphanius said "We have all heard and know about the challenges facing Ukraine in the face of the threat from Russia. This threat should not be underestimated, and therefore we, as a nation, must be ready to repel the enemy, if he still dares, violating the laws of God and man, to increase [his] crimes" by engaging in "open war." The Orthodox Church of Ukraine also published a prayer guide that includes prayers for "when the fatherland is in danger" and for "liberation from the invasion of foreigners."[619]
* Catholic Church of Ukraine – Major Archbishop of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church Sviatoslav Shevchuk has urged people in Ukraine to remain united in "the face of this great threat ... on our borders." The Latin Catholic bishops' conference of Ukraine has called for 16 February to be a "day of intense prayer and fasting."[620]
* International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement – The ICRC deployed one of its largest contingencies to Ukraine, where the organization is active since 2014, working closely with the Ukrainian Red Cross Society. The ICRC was active primarily in the disputed regions of the Donbas and Donetsk, assisting persons injured by armed confrontations when open hostilities between Russian and Ukrainian armed forces broke out on 24 February 2022. Thereafter the fighting moved to more populated areas in the Eastern Ukraine. The head of the ICRC delegation in Kyiv warned on 26 February 2022 that neighborhoods of major cities are becoming the frontline with significant consequences for their populations, including children, the sick and elderly. The ICRC urgently called on all parties to the conflict not to forget their obligations under international humanitarian law to ensure the protection of the civilian population and infrastructure and respect the dignity of refugees and prisoners of war.[621]
* Elon Musk announced 26 February 2022 that he had activated Starlink internet service in Ukraine as the country suffered power outages and gaps in internet service due to Russia's invasion.[622] Equipment needed to use Starlink arrived in Kiev on 1 March 2022.[623]

## Impact on migration[edit]

Further information: Ukrainian refugee crisis

Charity representatives based in Kyiv reported movements of Ukrainian population away from the front lines upon the beginning of the invasion on 24 February 2022.[624] Thus, Moldova, Slovakia, and Poland pledged to keep their borders open to Ukrainian refugees.[624]

During the first day of the invasion, the Moldovan government reported the entrance of 4,000 Ukrainian refugees into their country, where tents were set up by the authorities.[625] The following day, Ana Revenco, the Interior Minister of Moldova, reported the crossing of 15,800 Ukrainian citizens into Moldova.

Romania also received Ukrainian refugees within its territory.[626] The Romanian Ministry of Internal Affairs reported around 10,000 Ukrainians refugees in their country upon the start of the invasion. There were minimal applications for refugee status in Moldova and Romania. In Romania, out of 10,000 Ukrainian refugees, only 11 applied for refugee status, reflecting most refugees' decisions to head for the Czech Republic and Poland instead of staying at Moldova and Romania.[627]

In Poland, politician Paweł Szefernaker said that approximately 100,000 people had crossed the Poland–Ukraine border within 2 days. Poland was admitting children from Ukraine with birth certificates instead of passports.[628] Within 2 weeks Poland received no less than 1 million refugees.[629]

By February 28, more than half-a-million refugees had departed Ukraine, the figures were distributed as such: 281,000 in Poland, 84,500 in Hungary, 36,400 in Moldova, 32,500 in Romania, and 30,000 in Slovakia.[630] Within 10 days (6 March), there were 1.5 million refugees.[631] By the 12th day (8 March), 2 million had left Ukraine.[629] By the end of the second week (10 March), there were 2.3 million refugees abroad.[632]

Since the beginning of the refugee crisis, both the US and the UK have admitted relatively few refugees as continental Europe had to deal with the consequences from a mass exodus in the war zone. Currently, only family members of Ukrainians already residing in the UK can be admitted as refugees to Great Britain. Likewise, the US has only admitted 4,264 refugees in 2019 from the Ukraine as most of them are barred from entry due to lengthy immigration application protocols.[633][634]

## See also[edit]

* Russia portal
* Ukraine portal
* War portal

* 2008 Russo-Georgian diplomatic crisis
* Russo-Georgian War
* 2021–2022 Armenia–Azerbaijan border crisis
* Doomsday Clock
* International relations since 1989
* Second Cold War
* Baker-Gorbachev Pact

## Explanatory notes[edit]

1. ^ The Donetsk People's Republic is a separatist state that declared its independence in May 2014, while receiving recognitions from its neighbouring partially recognized quasi-state, the de facto state of South Ossetia, and Russia (since 2022).[2]
2. ^ The Luhansk People's Republic is a separatist state that declared its independence in May 2014, while receiving recognitions from its neighbouring partially recognized quasi-state, the de facto state of South Ossetia, and Russia (since 2022).[3][4]
3. ^ Canada sent ammunition, light weapons and other military equipment as well as military instructors; overall, Canada committed $7.8m in lethal aid and $620m in financial loans and non-lethal military aid.[5][6][7][8]
4. ^ Croatia has decided to grant Ukraine's request for weaponry and sent infantry weapons and protective equipment in the amount sufficient for four brigades worth €16.5 million.[9][10]
5. ^ Czech Republic sold armored cars and donated artillery shells.[11][12]
6. ^ Estonia sent a field hospital (together with Germany) and weapons (specifically FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank missiles).[13][14][15]
7. ^ France will provide defensive equipment to Ukraine.[16][17]
8. ^ Latvia delivered FIM-92 Stinger air-defense systems[18]
9. ^ Lithuania sent ammunition, weapons (including FIM-92 Stinger air-defense systems) and instructors.[13][19][20][5]
10. ^ The Netherlands will supply Ukraine with sniper rifles, ammunition, combat helmets, flak jackets, and radars.[21]
11. ^ Poland sold armoured personnel carriers,[22] ammunition[23] and sent instructors[5]
12. ^ Spain sent 1,370 C-90 RPG, light machine guns and around 700,000 bullets as well as helmets, bulletproof vests, mine detectors and several tons of medical supplies[24][25]
13. ^ Turkey sold combat drones (specifically Bayraktar TB2s).[26]
14. ^ The United Kingdom sent ammunition, weapons (specifically NLAW anti-tank guided missiles) and instructors.[27][5]
15. ^ The United States sent financial aid, ammunition, weapons and instructors.[28][5]
16. ^ Germany sent a field hospital (together with Estonia)[15]
17. ^ Italy sent demining equipment[29]
18. ^ Sweden sent instructors[30]
19. ^ Following a request under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, the EU is sending medical supplies, field hospitals, generators, and CBRN equipment.[31]
20. ^ Belarusian opposition assisting through cyberwarfare.[32][33]
21. ^ DEFENDER Europe 21 was a large-scale U.S. Army-led, multinational, joint exercise designed to build readiness and interoperability between U.S., NATO and partner militaries. DEFENDER Europe 21 included a greater number of NATO ally and partner nations conducting activities over a wider area than what was planned for in 2020, which was severely restricted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 28,000 multinational forces from 26 nations conducted near-simultaneous operations across more than 30 training areas in a dozen countries. DEFENDER Europe 21 also included significant involvement of the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy. The exercise utilized key ground and maritime routes bridging Europe, Asia and Africa. The exercise incorporated new or high-end capabilities including air and missile defense assets, as well as assets from the U.S. Army Security Force Assistance Brigades and the recently reactivated V Corps. Defender Europe 21 was one of the largest U.S.-Army, NATO-led military exercises in Europe in decades. The exercise began in mid-March and lasted until June 2021. It included "nearly simultaneous operations across more than 30 training areas" in Estonia, Bulgaria, Romania, Kosovo and other countries.[111][112] Gen. Christopher G. Cavoli, commanding general of the United States Army Europe and Africa, said that "While we are closely monitoring the COVID situation, we've proven we have the capability to train safely despite the pandemic."[111] Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said that Russia has deployed troops to its western borders for "combat training exercises" in response to NATO "military activities that threaten Russia."[113]
22. ^ "(70) No participating State will carry out a military activity subject to prior notification involving more than 40,000 troops or 900 battle tanks or 2,000 ACVs or 900 self-propelled and towed artillery pieces, mortars and multiple rocket launchers (100 mm calibre and above) unless it has been the object of a communication as defined above and unless it has been included in the annual calendar, not later than 15 November each year."[407]

## References[edit]

1. ^ Захарова: РФ и Беларусь вынуждены реагировать на наращивание сил НАТО у общих границ [Zakharova: Russia and Belarus are forced to respond to the build-up of NATO forces near their common border]. Rossiyskaya Gazeta (in Russian). Archived from the original on 20 January 2022. Retrieved 20 January 2022. "На брифинге Захарова подчеркнула, что на происходящее Москва и Минск вынуждены адекватно реагировать. В частности, путем совместного патрулирования воздушного пространства, регулярных совместных тренировок, а также учений. Так, уже в феврале пройдет совместное учение "Союзная решимость-2022". На территорию Беларуси уже начали прибывать подразделения из состава ВС РФ." [At the briefing, Zakharova stressed that Moscow and Minsk were forced to respond adequately to what was happening. In particular, through joint patrolling of the airspace, regular joint training, and exercises. So, in February, the joint exercise "Allied Resolve-2022" will be held. Units from the RF Armed Forces have already begun to arrive on the territory of Belarus.]
2. ^ "South Ossetia recognises independence of Donetsk People's Republic". Information Telegraph Agency of Russia. 27 June 2014. Retrieved 31 January 2022.
3. ^ Alec, Luhn (6 November 2014). "Ukraine's rebel 'people's republics' begin work of building new states". The Guardian. Donetsk. Retrieved 31 January 2022. "The two 'people's republics' carved out over the past seven months by pro-Russia rebels have not been recognised by any countries, and a rushed vote to elect governments for them on Sunday was declared illegal by Kiev, Washington and Brussels."
4. ^ Общая информация [General Information]. Official site of the head of the Lugansk People's Republic (in Russian). Archived from the original on 12 March 2018. Retrieved 11 March 2018. "11 июня 2014 года Луганская Народная Республика обратилась к Российской Федерации, а также к 14 другим государствам, с просьбой о признании её независимости. К настоящему моменту независимость республики признана провозглашенной Донецкой Народной Республикой и частично признанным государством Южная Осетия." [On June 11, 2014, the Luhansk People's Republic turned to the Russian Federation, as well as to 14 other states, with a request to recognize its independence. To date, the republic's independence has been recognized by the proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic and the partially recognized state of South Ossetia.]
5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n The military balance 2021. Abingdon, Oxon: International Institute for Strategic Studies. 2021. ISBN 978-1032012278.
6. ^ "Ukraine receives machine guns, surveillance gear from Canada as Russian threats mount". Global News. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
7. ^ "Canada sends non-lethal military aid to further support Ukraine". Government of Canada. 4 February 2022. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
8. ^ a b The Canadian Press (14 February 2022). "Canada to give $500M loan, send $7.8M in lethal weapons to Ukraine: Trudeau". CTV News. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
9. ^ "Croatia to send weapons to Ukraine, provide health care to refugees". Euractiv. 1 March 2022. "Croatia will send weapons worth €16.5 million to Ukraine and provide health care to refugees from the country, and the necessary medical assistance to the wounded, Croatia's defence and health ministers said on Monday. Croatia has decided to grant Ukraine's request for weaponry and will send infantry weapons and protective equipment in the amount sufficient for four brigades, Defence Minister Mario Banožić told the press. The value of the weapons is 124 million kuna (€16.5 million)."
10. ^ "Banozic: Croatia sends infantry weaponry for four brigades". Government of Croatia. 28 February 2022. Retrieved 28 February 2022. "Hrvatska će, na zahtjev Ukrajine, poslati toj zemlji pješačko oružje i zaštitnu opremu u količinama dovoljnima za opremanje četiri brigade, izjavio je ministar obrane Mario Banožić u ponedjeljak." [Croatia will, as per request from Ukraine, send that country infantry weaponry and protective equipment in amounts enough for equipping four brigades, said the Minister of Defence Mario Banozic on Monday.]
11. ^ "Шепетівський ремонтний завод" отримав партію шасі Tatra від чеської Excalibur Army для РСЗВ "Буревій" ["Shepetivka Repair Plant" received a batch of Tatra chassis from the Czech Excalibur Army for MLRS "Storm"] (in Ukrainian). Defense Express. 23 December 2021. "Нові шасі від Tatra були спеціально доопрацьовані чеською Excalibur Army під вимоги ЗСУ – в рамках виконання державного оборонного замовлення. На ДП "Шепетівський ремонтний завод" прибула партія шасі Tatra для випуску нової української 220-мм реактивної системи залпового вогню "Буревій"." [The new chassis from Tatra was specially modified by the Czech Excalibur Army to the requirements of the Armed Forces – as part of the state defense order. A batch of Tatra chassis has arrived at the Shepetivka Repair Plant to produce a new Ukrainian 220-mm Bureviya multiple rocket launchers.]
12. ^ "The Czech Republic is sending thousands of artillery shells to Ukraine". Czech Daily. 27 January 2022. Retrieved 13 February 2022. "... the (Czech) government decided to donate 4,000 artillery shells to Ukraine for about CZK 37 million. Minister Černochová described it as a gesture of solidarity. Defence Minister Jana Černochová (ODS), who proposed the donation to the cabinet, sees it as a significant act of solidarity. The Czech Republic wants to use the donation to strengthen Ukraine's defense capabilities. The Czech Republic will send 4006 pieces of 152-millimeter artillery ammunition to Ukraine, worth CZK 36.6 million. It will be transferred through a donation agreement."
13. ^ a b c Mcleary, Paul (21 January 2022). "Baltic states step up in arming Ukraine against potential Russian incursion". Politico. Photograph by Andriy Dubchak (AP Photo). Axel Springer SE. Archived from the original on 21 January 2022. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
14. ^ "First batch of Estonia-donated Javelin missiles arrive in Ukraine". ERR News. 18 February 2022. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
15. ^ a b "Estonia donates mobile field hospital to Ukrainian army". Ukrinform. 9 February 2022. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
16. ^ "France to provide defensive military equipment to Ukraine - army spokesman". Reuters. 26 February 2022. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
17. ^ "France will provide defensive equipment to Ukraine". CNN. 25 February 2022. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
18. ^ "Latvia delivers Stinger missiles to Ukraine". LSM. 23 February 2022. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
19. ^ "Lietuva išskraidino karinę paramą Ukrainai – siunčia "Stinger" raketas" [Lithuania has flown military support to Ukraine, sending Stinger missiles] (in Lithuanian). LRT. 13 February 2022. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
20. ^ "UNIAN: Lithuania hands over almost 1 million pieces of ammunition to Ukraine". Kyiv Post. 12 June 2019. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
21. ^ "Netherlands to give Ukraine sniper rifles, radars, helmets". NL Times. 18 February 2022.
22. ^ ЗСУ передана партія бойових машин Oncilla [A batch of Oncilla combat vehicles was transferred to the Armed Forces]. Мілітарний (in Ukrainian). 27 April 2021.
23. ^ Україна закупила в Польщі партію болгарських боєприпасів [Ukraine bought a consignment of Bulgarian ammunition in Poland]. Ukrainian Military Pages (in Ukrainian). 21 April 2021.
24. ^ "Spain to send grenade launchers and machine guns to Ukraine, minister says". Reuters. 2 March 2022. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
25. ^ "España enviará 5.000 cascos, chalecos antibala y detectores de minas a Ucrania". El Mundo (in Spanish). 27 February 2022. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
26. ^ Kramer, Andrew E. (3 February 2022). "Turkey, a Sometimes-Wavering NATO Ally, Backs Ukraine". The New York Times. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
27. ^ Brown, Larisa, ed. (18 January 2022). "British anti-tank weapons sent to defend Ukraine from Russia". The Times. Archived from the original on 18 January 2022. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
28. ^ "US small arms and ammo arrive in Ukraine as Pentagon details troops to train country's military". CNN. Archived from the original on 9 December 2021. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
29. ^ "Italy considers offering Ukraine aid, "non-lethal" military help". Reuters. 22 February 2022.
30. ^ a b "Därför utbildar Sverige ukrainska säkerhetsstyrkor" [The reason Sweden trains Ukrainian security forces] (in Swedish). Swedish Armed Forces. 14 December 2021. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
31. ^ "EU delivers emergency civil protection assistance to Ukraine". ec.europa.eu. 19 February 2022. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
32. ^ "Киберпартизаны" заявили о взломе серверов БЖД и выставили ультиматум режиму ["Cyber partisans" announced the hacking of the BZD servers and issued an ultimatum to the regime]. Charter 97 (in Russian). 24 January 2022. Archived from the original on 25 January 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
33. ^ Білоруські "кіберпартизани" зламали сервер залізниці, щоб не пустити російські війська в країну [Belarusian "cyber partisans" hacked railway server to prevent Russian troops from entering the country]. LB.ua (in Ukrainian). 25 January 2022. Archived from the original on 25 January 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
34. ^ "Russia recognises Ukraine separatist regions". BBC News. 21 February 2022. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
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91. ^ Snyder, Timothy D. (18 January 2022). "How to think about war in Ukraine". Thinking about... (newsletter). Substack. Archived from the original on 19 January 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2021. "Historically speaking, the idea that a dictator in another country decides who is a nation and who is not is known as imperialism."
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94. ^ Dickinson, Peter; Haring, Melinda; Lubkivsky, Danylo; Motyl, Alexander; Whitmore, Brian; Goncharenko, Oleksiy; Fedchenko, Yevhen; Bonner, Brian; Kuzio, Taras (15 July 2021). "Putin's new Ukraine essay reveals imperial ambitions". Atlantic Council. Archived from the original on 15 July 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2021. "Vladimir Putin's inaccurate and distorted claims are neither new nor surprising. They are just the latest example of gaslighting by the Kremlin leader."
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103. ^ Wiktor, Szary; Sobczak, Pawel; Emmott, Robin; Sytas, Andrius; Muller, Robert; Dagenborg, Joachim (20 June 2016). Boulton, Ralph (ed.). "In push for equal NATO status, Poland asks for flashpoint troops". Reuters. Brussels, Prague, Vilnius, Trondheim: Thomson Corporation. Archived from the original on 25 January 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
104. ^ Shuster, Simon (2 February 2021). "The Untold Story of the Ukraine Crisis". Time. With reporting by Leslie Dickstein and Simmone Shah (New York); and Brian Bennett, W.J. Hennigan, and Nik Popli (Washington D.C.). Kyiv: WarnerMedia. Archived from the original on 25 February 2022. Retrieved 26 February 2022. "[D]ays after the Inauguration of President Joe Biden, America's allies in Kyiv decided to get tough on Medvedchuk. The Ukrainian government started by taking his TV channels off the air, depriving Russia of its propaganda outlets in the country. The U.S. embassy in Kyiv applauded the move. ... The first inkling of Putin's response came less than two days later, at 7 a.m. on Feb. 21. In a little-noticed statement, the Russian Defense Ministry announced the deployment of 3,000 paratroopers to the border with Ukraine for 'large-scale exercises,' training them to 'seize enemy structures and hold them until the arrival of the main force.'"
105. ^ Stepura, Anton (3 March 2021). Бойовики "ДНР" заявили про дозвіл вести "упереджувальний вогонь на знищення" [DNR militants declare permission to conduct "preemptive fire for destruction"]. Suspilne (in Ukrainian). Translated via Google Translate; Photograph by UNIAN. State Committee for Television and Radio-broadcasting (Ukraine). Archived from the original on 24 January 2022. Retrieved 24 January 2022. "Бойовики самоназваної 'ДНР' отримали дозвіл на ведення 'упереджувального вогню на знищення'. ... У заяві бойовиків ідеться, що 'підрозділам народної міліції дано дозвіл на ведення попереджувального вогню на придушення і знищення вогневих точок противника'." [Militants of the self-proclaimed 'DPR' received permission to conduct 'preemptive fire for destruction'. ... The statement of the militants states that 'the units of the people's militia were given permission to conduct warning fire to suppress and destroy enemy firing points.']
106. ^ Російський вертоліт порушив повітряний простір України [Russian helicopter violates Ukrainian airspace]. Ukrayinska Pravda (in Ukrainian). Dragon Capital. 16 March 2021. Archived from the original on 18 March 2021. Retrieved 31 May 2021. "16 березня прикордонний наряд ДПСУ в Сумській області зафіксував заліт вертольоту (за ознаками – Мі-8 -ред.) з Російської Федерації на відстань близько 50 метрів на територію України. Після чого гелікоптер повернув у зворотному напрямку і залишив повітряний простір нашої держави." [On March 16, the SBGS border patrol in the Sumy region recorded a helicopter (Mi-8-ed.) flying from the Russian Federation at a distance of about 50 meters into Ukraine. Then the helicopter turned in the opposite direction and left the airspace of our state.]
107. ^ Inna, Semenova (29 March 2021). Найбільші втрати від початку перемир'я. Що сталося в бою під Шумами і як відповість Україна [The biggest losses since the beginning of the armistice. What happened in the battle of Shumy and how Ukraine will respond?]. nv.ua (in Ukrainian). Novoye Vremya. Archived from the original on 23 January 2022. Retrieved 19 January 2022. "Бій біля селища Шуми (Донецька область) стався вдень 26 березня. Бойовики прицільно обстріляли українські позиції близько 13:45. ... Внаслідок обстрілу загинули четверо українських військовослужбовців, ще двох було поранено." [The battle near the village of Shumy (Donetsk region) took place in the afternoon of March 26, 2021. The militants fired at Ukrainian positions at about 1:45 p.m. ... Four Ukrainian servicemen were killed and two others were wounded in the shelling.]
108. ^ Росія відмовилася повернутися до режиму припинення вогню з 1 квітня [Russia has refused to return to the ceasefire since April 1]. Ukrayinska Pravda (in Ukrainian). Dragon Capital. 31 March 2021. Archived from the original on 3 November 2021. Retrieved 3 November 2021. "Росія не підтримала пропозицію голови української делегації в ТКГ Леоніда Кравчука поновити режим припинення вогню на Донбасі з 00:00 1 квітня." [Russia did not support the proposal of the head of the Ukrainian delegation to the TCG Leonid Kravchuk to renew the ceasefire in the Donbass from 00:00 on April 1.]
109. ^ Zelensky approves strategy for de-occupation, reintegration of Crimea Interfax-Ukraine March 24, 2021.
110. ^ Putin's Invasion of Ukraine Ray McGovern on Salon March 3, 2022.
111. ^ a b "Massive, Army-led NATO exercise Defender Europe kicks off". Army Times. 15 March 2021.
112. ^ "NATO, US to stage large-scale military exercises around Serbia until summer". Euractiv. 22 March 2021.
113. ^ "Germany Says Russia Seeking To 'Provoke' With Troop Buildup At Ukraine's Border". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 14 April 2021.
114. ^ South, Todd (15 March 2021). "Massive, Army-led NATO exercise Defender Europe kicks off". Army Times. Photograph by Carlos Cuebas Fantauzzi. Sightline Media Group. Archived from the original on 23 January 2022. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
115. ^ "Ukraine: purpose of upcoming Defender Europe 2021 exercise is to practice for war with Russia". UAWire. 4 April 2021. Archived from the original on 19 January 2022. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
116. ^ Zakharova, Maria (15 April 2021). "Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, Moscow, April 15, 2021". The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. Moscow: Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Archived from the original on 18 April 2021. Retrieved 18 April 2021. "These propaganda attacks demonstrate that the Alliance and its member countries want to justify their more intensive military activities in Ukraine and near it. ... I would like to remind you that throughout this year alone NATO is planning seven military exercises in Ukraine. ... NATO warships are entering the Black Sea ever more frequently; the number of such visits increased by one-third last year."
117. ^ "Germany Says Russia Seeking To 'Provoke' With Troop Buildup At Ukraine's Border". rferl.org. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. AFP, UNIAN, TASS, Interfax, Reuters. 14 April 2021. Retrieved 19 February 2022. "'My impression is that the Russian side is trying everything to provoke a reaction,' German Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer told public broadcaster ARD television on April 14. ... [R]ussia has amassed more than 40,000 troops both on Ukraine's eastern border and in the occupied Crimean Peninsula."
118. ^ Kizilov, Eugene (30 March 2021). Росія стягує війська до кордону з Україною – Хомчак [Russia draws troops to the border with Ukraine – Khomchak]. Ukrayinska Pravda (in Ukrainian). Translated via Google Translate. Kyiv: Dragon Capital. Archived from the original on 21 May 2021. Retrieved 31 May 2021. "[Р]осія стягує війська до кордону з Україною – у Брянську і Воронежську області РФ та до окупованого Криму. ... [с]таном на 30 березня вздовж російсько-українського кордону та на окупованих територіях Донбасу і Криму перебувають 28 батальйонних тактичних груп противника. ... Українське командування очікує, що незабаром біля українського кордону і в Криму Росія збере ще 'до 25 батальйонних тактичних груп, що в сукупності з наявними розгорнутими силами та засобами поблизу з державним кордоном України створює загрозу воєнній безпеці держави'. ... році Росія збільшила свою військову присутність на півострові до 32,7 тис. військових. ... на окупованому Донбасі розгорнуті 14 полків російської армії у складі 28 тисяч військових. ... На сході України перебуває також апарат військових радників та інструкторів у складі 2 тисяч осіб." [[R]ussia is withdrawing troops to the border with Ukraine – at Bryansk and Voronezh and at occupied Crimea. ... As of 30 March, there are 28 battalion tactical groups of the enemy along the Russian-Ukrainian border and in the occupied territories of Donbas and Crimea. ... The Ukrainian command expects that Russia will soon assemble 'up to 25 more battalion tactical groups near the Ukrainian border and in Crimea, which, together with the deployed forces and means near the state border of Ukraine, threatens the state's military security.' ... Russia increased its military presence on the peninsula to 32.7 thousand troops. ... 14 regiments of the Russian army consisting of 28,000 troops were deployed in the occupied Donbass. ... In the east of Ukraine there is also a staff of military advisers and instructors consisting of 2 thousand people.]
119. ^ Росія не є загрозою для України, пересування армії Росії не має викликати занепокоєння – Кремль [Russia is not a threat to Ukraine, the movement of Russia's army should not be a concern – the Kremlin]. radiosvoboda.org (in Ukrainian). Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 5 April 2021. Archived from the original on 2 May 2021. Retrieved 31 May 2021. "За його словами, це не має викликати 'ані найменшого занепокоєння'. 'Росія не є загрозою ні для однієї країни світу, в тому числі не є загрозою для України', – сказав Пєсков." [According to him, this should not cause 'the slightest concern.' 'Russia is not a threat to any country in the world, including not a threat to Ukraine,' Peskov said.]
120. ^ a b Conley, Heather A.; Funaiole, Matthew P.; Bermudez Jr., Joseph S.; Newlin, Cyrus (22 April 2021). "Unpacking the Russian Troop Buildup along Ukraine's Border". csis.org. Imagery markups by William Taylor; Research support by Jennifer Jun. Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Archived from the original on 27 December 2021. Retrieved 27 December 2021. "On April 22, the Russian government appeared to turn down the heat on these deployments, with Minister Shoigu announcing a drawdown of the exercise and ordering troops to return to their permanent bases by May 1, to include the 58th Army of the Southern Military District, the 41st Army of the Central Military District, as well as the 7th and 76th Airborne Assault and 98th Airborne divisions, according to the statement. Importantly, the equipment and weapons of the 41st Army are to remain at Pogonovo, a military training ground 17 kilometers south of Voronezh."
121. ^ Roth, Andrew (6 April 2021). "EU and UK pledge backing to Ukraine after Russian military buildup". The Guardian. Moscow. Archived from the original on 9 April 2021. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
122. ^ Проліт "Алігаторів": як ЗС РФ практично реалізує інформаційні операції проти України під час військових навчань [The flight of the "Alligators": how the Russian Armed Forces practically implement information operations against Ukraine during military exercises]. InformNapalm.org (Українська) (in Ukrainian). 2 April 2021. Archived from the original on 19 January 2022. Retrieved 19 January 2022. "Сьогодні, 2 квітня, в російських джерелах, зокрема, на популярному телеграм- каналі 'Военный обозреватель', що афілійований з російськими силовими структурами, опублікували відео прольоту групи російських ударних вертольотів Ка-52 'Алігатор' і Мі-28 'Нічний мисливець', підкреслюючи при цьому, що проліт нібито відбувся на кордоні з Україною. Деякі регіональні джерела повідомляли, що російські вертольоти тільки наблизилися до кордону з Україною у районі Ростовської області РФ, але не перетинали його." [Translated via Google Translate: Today, 2 April, in Russian sources, in particular, on the popular telegram channel 'Military Observer', affiliated with the Russian security forces, published a video of the flight of a group of Russian attack helicopters Ka-52 'Alligator' and Mi-28 'Night Hunter'. emphasizing that the flight allegedly took place on the border with Ukraine. Some regional sources reported that Russian helicopters had just approached the border with Ukraine in the Rostov region of the Russian Federation but did not cross it.]
123. ^ Perepdaya, Elena (4 April 2021). Українська армія відкидає застосування зброї проти цивільних на Донбасі [The Ukrainian army rejects the use of weapons against civilians in Donbass] (in Ukrainian). Deutsche Welle. Archived from the original on 20 January 2022. Retrieved 19 January 2022. "Тим часом спікер російської Держдуми В'ячеслав Володін заявив, що керівництво України має понести відповідальність за смерть дитини під Донецьком та запропонував виключити Україну з Ради Європи." [Meanwhile, Russian State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin said Ukraine's leadership should be held responsible for the child's death near Donetsk and suggested excluding Ukraine from the Council of Europe.]
124. ^ Якщо Кремль шукає "казус беллі", вкидаючи цинічні фейки, світ це має сприймати всерйоз [If the Kremlin is looking for a "casus belli" by throwing cynical fakes, the world should take it seriously]. Ministry of Defense Ukraine (in Ukrainian). Government of Ukraine. 6 April 2021. Archived from the original on 20 January 2022. Retrieved 19 January 2022. "За повідомленням Української делегації для участі у Тристоронній контактній групі, 'Українська сторона Спільного центру з контролю та координації 5 квітня 2021 року надіслала Спеціальній моніторинговій місії ОБСЄ в Україні ноту щодо намірів окупаційної адміністрації фальсифікувати події в н.п. Олександрівське Донецької області України'." [According to the Ukrainian delegation to participate in the Tripartite Contact Group, 'On April 5, 2021, the Ukrainian side of the Joint Monitoring and Coordination Center sent a note to the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine regarding the occupation administration's intentions to falsify events. Oleksandrivske, Donetsk region of Ukraine'.]
125. ^ Lavrenyuk, Yaroslava (5 April 2021). Фейк: На Донбасі внаслідок атаки українського безпілотника загинула дитина (оновлено) [Fake: A child died in Donbas as a result of a Ukrainian drone attack (updated)]. Stopfake.org (in Ukrainian). Translated via Google Translate. Archived from the original on 20 January 2022. Retrieved 19 January 2022. "6 квітня Спеціальна моніторингова місія ОБСЄ в Україні підтвердила смерть дитини. Повідомляється, що вона померла 'в результаті вибухової травми й множинних осколкових поранень'. Інформація про те, що дитина загинула в результаті удару українського безпілотника відсутня." [On April 6, the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine confirmed the death of a child. She reportedly died 'as a result of an explosive injury and multiple shrapnel wounds.' There is no information that the child died as a result of a Ukrainian drone strike.]
126. ^ На Донеччині загинули двоє українських військових [Two Ukrainian servicemen killed in Donetsk region]. ukinform.ua (in Ukrainian). Ukrinform. 6 April 2021. Archived from the original on 15 April 2021. Retrieved 31 May 2021. "Внаслідок обстрілу українських позицій російськими найманцями поблизу населеного пункту Невельське, що на Донеччині, загинув український військовий. Ще один захисник загинув поблизу Степного через підрив на невідомому вибуховому пристрої. [Translated: A Ukrainian serviceman was killed as a result of shelling of Ukrainian positions by Russian mercenaries near the town of Nevelske in the Donetsk region. Another defender was killed near Stepny by an unknown explosive device.]"
127. ^ Через обстріл на Донеччині 50 населених пунктів залишилися без води [Due to the shelling in Donetsk region, 50 settlements were left without water]. ukrinform.ua (in Ukrainian). Ukrinform. 6 April 2021. Archived from the original on 8 April 2021. Retrieved 31 May 2021. "У Донецькій області внаслідок обстрілу знеструмлена насосна станція першого підйому Південно-донбаського водогону. Постачання води споживачам припинене. Як передає Укрінформ, про це увечері 6 квітня повідомили в комунальному підприємстві 'Компанія 'Вода Донбасу'. Повідомляється, що від цієї насосної станції вода постачається майже до 50 населених пунктів регіону, на чотири фільтрувальні станції ... [Translated: In the Donetsk region, as a result of the shelling, the pumping station of the first rise of the South Donbas water supply system was de-energized. Water supply to consumers has been suspended. According to Ukrinform, this was announced in the evening of April 6 at the utility company 'Water of Donbass'. It is reported that from this pumping station water is supplied to almost 50 settlements of the region, to four filtering stations ...]"
128. ^ Mirovalev, Mansur (21 May 2021). "The devastating human, economic costs of Crimea's annexation". Al Jazeera English. Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 25 May 2021. Retrieved 19 January 2022. "These days, Simferopol, the second-largest city on the Crimean Peninsula, gets water for three hours a day on weekdays and for five hours on weekends."
129. ^ a b c Cooper, Helene; Barnes, Julian E.; Schmitt, Eric (5 May 2021). "80,000 Russian Troops Remain at Ukraine Border as U.S. and NATO Hold Exercises". The New York Times. Photograph by Associated Press; article updated 1 September 2021. Washington D.C. Archived from the original on 14 January 2022. Retrieved 19 January 2022. "Senior American officials believe an incursion to secure the water supply remains a real threat. ... Senior Defense Department officials said that close to 80,000 Russian troops remained near various strips of the country's border with Ukraine, still the biggest force Russia has amassed there since Moscow annexed Crimea in 2014. ... The Russian military did order some units back to their barracks by May 1 — and they did move from the border — the officials said. But many of the units left their trucks and armored vehicles behind, a signal that they could go back if President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia decided to deploy them again."
130. ^ Troianovski, Anton (8 May 2021). "Where Ukrainians Are Preparing for All-Out War With Russia". The New York Times. Kalanchak, Ukraine. Archived from the original on 24 May 2021. Retrieved 19 January 2022. "In Washington, senior American officials believe that an incursion to secure the water supply remains a real threat, though the costs and difficulty of such a move appear to have been sufficient to dissuade Russia for now."
131. ^ Росія перекидає кораблі з Каспію на Чорне море [Russia transfers ships from the Caspian Sea to the Black Sea]. mil.in.ua (in Ukrainian). Militarnyi. Archived from the original on 19 January 2022. Retrieved 19 January 2022. "Росія, як заявляється у рамках навчань, перекидає кораблі з Каспію на Чорне море. Про це пише Интерфакс. Міжфлотський перехід почали десантні та артилерійські катери Каспійської флотилії. Заявляється, що екіпажі та кораблі Каспійської флотилії будуть здавати підсумкові морські навчання у взаємодії з Чорноморським флотом. [Translated: Russia, as stated in the exercise, is transferring ships from the Caspian Sea to the Black Sea. This was reported by Interfax. The landing and artillery boats of the Caspian flotilla began the inter-naval crossing. It is stated that the crews and ships of the Caspian Flotilla will pass the final naval exercises in cooperation with the Black Sea Fleet.]"
132. ^ "Meeting Requested by Ukraine under Vienna Document Chapter III Regarding Unusual Russian Military Activity". U.S. Mission to the OSCE. OSCE. 10 April 2021. Archived from the original on 24 February 2022. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
133. ^ "Ukraine – Joint statement by France and Germany at the OSCE (Vienna, 10 Apr. 2021)". Ministère de l'Europe et des Affaires étrangères. Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. 10 April 2021. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
134. ^ Консула в Петербурзі Сосонюка затримали на кілька годин, і він уже в дипустанові. Україна готує відповідь, – речник МЗС Ніколенко [Consul in St. Petersburg Sosoniuk was detained for several hours, and he is already in the embassy. Ukraine is preparing an answer, – Foreign Ministry spokesman Nikolenko]. Censor.net (in Ukrainian). 17 April 2021. Archived from the original on 31 May 2021. Retrieved 31 May 2021. "...сьогодні вранці стало відомо, що український консул Олександр Сосонюк затриманий в російському місті Санкт-Петербург. Його затримала ФСБ нібито "під час отримання інформації закритого характеру під час зустрічі з громадянином РФ"." [...this morning it became known that the Ukrainian consul Alexander Sosonyuk is detained in the Russian city of St. Petersburg. He was detained by the FSB allegedly "while receiving confidential information during a meeting with a Russian citizen."]
135. ^ Yavorovich, Tatiana (17 April 2021). Затримання українського консула: Єнін розповів, як у Росії підставили Сосонюка [Detention of the Ukrainian consul: Yenin told how Sosoniuk was set up in Russia]. Суспільне | Новини (in Ukrainian). Archived from the original on 20 January 2022. Retrieved 19 January 2022. "У Міністерстві закордонних справ України припускають, що затримання консула Генерального консульства України Олександра Сосонюка у Санкт-Петербурзі готувалось за заздалегідь спланованим сценарієм." [The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine assumes that the detention of the Consul General of Ukraine Oleksandr Sosonyuk in St. Petersburg was prepared according to a pre-planned scenario.]
136. ^ Igor, Litvinenko (22 April 2021). Висланий український консул покинув РФ [The deported Ukrainian consul left Russia] (in Ukrainian). RBC Ukraine. Archived from the original on 31 May 2021. Retrieved 31 May 2021. "Висланий український консул Олександр Сосонюк виїхав з Російської Федерації вчора, 21 квітня. Він візьме коротку відпустку, після чого повернеться до роботи у зовнішньополітичному відомстві України." [The deported Ukrainian consul Oleksandr Sosonyuk left the Russian Federation yesterday, April 21. He will take a short vacation, after which he will return to work in the Foreign Ministry of Ukraine.]
137. ^ Рокитна, Анастасія (19 April 2021). Україна направила ноту російському дипломату. У нього є 72 години, щоб покинути країну [Ukraine sent a note to a Russian diplomat. He has 72 hours to leave the country] (in Ukrainian). RBC Ukraine. Archived from the original on 25 April 2021. Retrieved 31 May 2021. "Україна направила ноту російському дипломату. Щоб покинути країну, у нього є 72 години. Про це повідомив в коментарі РБК-Україна речник Міністерства закордонних справ України Олег Ніколенко." [Ukraine sent a note to a Russian diplomat. He has 72 hours to leave the country. This was announced in a comment to RBC-Ukraine by the spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Oleh Nikolenko.]
138. ^ Патрушев заявив про "загрозу терактів і диверсій" у Криму [Patrushev said there was a "threat of terrorist attacks and sabotage" in Crimea]. Radio Liberty (in Ukrainian). 14 April 2021. Archived from the original on 19 January 2022. Retrieved 20 January 2022. "Секретар Ради безпеки Росії Микола Патрушев на нараді, яку він провів в анексованому Криму 14 квітня, заявив, що 'українські спецслужби намагаються організувати теракти і диверсії' на території півострова." [Russia's Security Council Secretary Mykola Patrushev said at a meeting in annexed Crimea on April 14 that 'Ukrainian special services are trying to organize terrorist attacks and sabotage' on the peninsula.]
139. ^ "Кораблі ФСБ РФ намагались спровокувати ВМСУ біля Керченської протоки: "Гюрзи-М" дали гідну відсіч" [Ships of the FSB of the Russian Federation tried to provoke the Navy near the Kerch Strait: "Gyurzy-M" gave a decent rebuff]. Defense Express. Archived from the original on 19 January 2022. Retrieved 19 January 2022. "У ніч з 14 на 15 квітня цього року відбувся інцидент в Азовському морі між трьома малими броньованими катерами "Гюрза-М" ВМС України та п'ятьма катерами і кораблем Берегової охорони Прикордонної служби ФСБ РФ...За його словами, інцидент відбувся 25 милях від Керченської протоки, коли катери наших ВМС виконували супровід цивільних суден...Щоб зупинити провокації, нашим морякам довелось попередити про готовність застосувати бортове озброєння. За даними Клименка, інцидент обійшовся без жодних втрат для нашого флоту, усі катери ВМС України успішно повернулись назад до гавані." [On the night of April 14–15 this year, an incident took place in the Sea of Azov between three small armored boats "Gyurza-M" of the Ukrainian Navy and five boats and a ship of the Coast Guard of the FSB Border Guard...According to him, the incident took place 25 miles from the Kerch Strait, when the boats of our Navy escorted civilian ships...To stop the provocations, our sailors had to warn about the readiness to use airborne weapons. According to Klymenko, the incident was without any losses for our fleet, all boats of the Ukrainian Navy successfully returned back to the harbor.]
140. ^ Міністерство закордонних справ України – Заява МЗС України у зв'язку із обмеженням Російською Федерацією свободи судноплавства в Чорному морі [Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine – Statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine in connection with the Russian Federation's restriction of freedom of navigation in the Black Sea]. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine (in Ukrainian). Archived from the original on 4 November 2021. Retrieved 19 January 2022. "Російська Федерація оголосила про закриття з наступного тижня до жовтня 2021 року частини акваторій Чорного моря в напрямку Керченської протоки для військових кораблів та державних суден інших країн під приводом військових навчань. Такі дії Російської Федерації є черговою спробою в порушення норм і принципів міжнародного права узурпувати суверенні права України як прибережної держави, оскільки саме Україна наділена правами регулювати судноплавство в цих акваторіях Чорного моря." [The Russian Federation has announced the closure from next week to October 2021 of part of the Black Sea in the direction of the Kerch Strait for warships and state vessels of other countries under the pretext of military exercises. Such actions of the Russian Federation are another attempt in violation of the norms and principles of international law to usurp the sovereign rights of Ukraine as a coastal state, as it is Ukraine that has the right to regulate navigation in these Black Sea areas.]
141. ^ Yuri, Godovan (20 April 2021). Військ РФ біля кордону України зараз більше, ніж у 2014 році – Пентагон [Size of Russian troops near the Ukrainian border are now larger than in 2014 – the Pentagon]. Ukrainian Independent Information Agency (UNIAN) (in Ukrainian). Reuters. Archived from the original on 26 April 2021. Retrieved 31 May 2021. "У Пентагоні заявили, що Росія зосередила поблизу кордону з Україною більше військ, ніж у 2014 році. Про це заявив речник оборонного відомства США Джон Кірбі, передає "Радіо Свобода"." [The Pentagon said that Russia had concentrated more troops near the border with Ukraine than in 2014. This was stated by spokesman for the US Department of Defense John Kirby, reports "Radio Liberty".]
142. ^ РФ обмежила польоти над частиною Криму і Чорного моря, – NOTAM [Russia has restricted flights over part of the Crimea and the Black Sea – NOTAM]. Censor.net (in Ukrainian). 20 April 2021. Archived from the original on 23 April 2021. Retrieved 31 May 2021. "Росія ввела з 20 по 24 квітня тимчасові обмеження на польоти над частиною Криму і Чорного моря. Про це йдеться в міжнародному повідомленні для пілотів (NOTAM), інформує Цензор.НЕТ із посиланням на Інтерфакс-Україна." [Russia has imposed temporary restrictions on flights over parts of Crimea and the Black Sea from April 20 to 24. This is stated in the International Notice to Pilots (NOTAM), informs Censor.NET with reference to Interfax-Ukraine.]
143. ^ Medvedev, Dmitry (11 October 2021). Почему бессмысленны контакты с нынешним украинским руководством [Why contacts with the current Ukrainian leadership are meaningless]. Kommersant (in Russian). Archived from the original on 21 January 2022. "Дураков сражаться за Украину нет. А нам с вассалами дело иметь бессмысленно. Дела нужно вести с сюзереном ... Бессмысленность и даже вредность отношений с нынешними руководителями Украины состоит еще и в том, что во главе этой страны стоят невежественные и необязательные люди. Они постоянно меняют позицию в угоду своим заокеанским хозяевам и политической конъюнктуре ... Тогда встает извечный и главный вопрос: что делать в этой ситуации? А ничего. Дождаться появления на Украине вменяемого руководства, которое нацелено не на тотальную конфронтацию с Россией на грани войны, не на организацию дебильных 'Крымских платформ', созданных для оболванивания населения страны и подкачки своих мускулов перед выборами, а на выстраивание равноправных и взаимовыгодных отношений с Россией. Вот только с таким руководством Украины и стоит иметь дело. Россия умеет ждать. Мы люди терпеливые." [There are no fools to fight for Ukraine. And it is pointless for us to deal with vassals. Business must be done with the suzerain ... The senselessness and even harmfulness of relations with the current leaders of Ukraine also lies in the fact that ignorant and unnecessary people are at the head of this country. They constantly change their position to please their overseas masters and the political situation ... Then the eternal and main question arises: what to do in this situation? But nothing. Wait for the emergence of a sane leadership in Ukraine, which is aimed not at a total confrontation with Russia on the brink of war, not at organizing moronic 'Crimean platforms' created to fool the population of the country and pump up their muscles before the elections, but at building equal and mutually beneficial relations with Russia. That's just with such a leadership of Ukraine and it is worth dealing with. Russia knows how to wait. We are patient people.]
144. ^ "Russia Shouldn't Negotiate With 'Vassal' Ukraine, Ex-President Medvedev Says". The Moscow Times. 11 October 2021. Archived from the original on 21 January 2022. "The Kremlin said later Monday that Medvedev's article "runs in unison" with Russia's view of the current Ukrainian government."
145. ^ Vladimir, Isachenkov (12 November 2021). "Kremlin denies plans to invade Ukraine, alleges NATO threats". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 10 December 2021. Retrieved 24 December 2021. "The Russian Defense Ministry described the deployment of the U.S. warships USS Mount Whitney and USS Porter, which sailed into the Black Sea last week, as a "threat to regional security and strategic stability." "The real goal behind the U.S. activities in the Black Sea region is exploring the theater of operations in case of Kyiv's attempts to settle the conflict in the southeast by force," the ministry said in a statement."
146. ^ Julian, Röpcke (3 December 2021). "BILD exklusiv: Russlands Kriegspläne, So könnte Putin die Ukraine vernichten" [BILD Exclusive: Russia's War Plans – How Putin could destroy Ukraine]. Bild (in German). Archived from the original on 25 January 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
147. ^ Seth G., Jones; Philip G., Wasielewski (13 January 2022). "Russia's Possible Invasion of Ukraine". csis.org. Center for Strategic and International Studies. Archived from the original on 25 January 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
148. ^ a b Ellyatt, Holly (17 November 2021). "The world is worried Putin is about to invade Ukraine. Here's why". CNBC. Photograph by Fabrice Cofferini (Agence-France Presse), Oksana Manchuk (Belarusian Telegraph Agency), and Bloomberg News; article updated 1 December 2021. NBCUniversal News Group. Archived from the original on 18 November 2021. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
149. ^ Sarah, Rainford (27 November 2021). "Russia-Ukraine border: Why Moscow is stoking tensions". BBC News. Photographs by Reuters. Moscow: BBC. Archived from the original on 25 December 2021. Retrieved 24 December 2021. "In recent weeks, Russian tanks have been moving west towards Ukraine once again, prompting fresh, even starker warnings from US intelligence circles that a cross-border offensive could be on the cards."
150. ^ "Центр оперативного інформування про безпекову ситуацію поблизу державного кордону України" [Center of Operations informing on the security situation near the Ukrainian state border]. Ministry of Defence of Ukraine. Government of Ukraine. 2 November 2021. Retrieved 19 February 2022. "За даними Головного управління розвідки Міністерства оборони, станом на початок листопада 2021 року біля нашого кордону та на тимчасово окупованих територіях Російською Федерацією зосереджено угруповання військ (сил) загальною чисельністю близько 90-та тисяч осіб. До його складу входять війська 8-ї,20-ї армій Південного та Західного військових округів, а також сили та засоби Чорноморського флоту РФ. Крім того, поблизу нашого кордону базуються окремі з'єднання та частини 4-ї,6-ї армій військово-повітряних сил та протиповітряної оборони повітряно-космічних сил збройних сил Російської Федерації." [According to the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defence, as of early October 2021, the Russian Federation has established a grouping of troops (forces) of an estimated 90,000 troops near our border and in the temporarily occupied territories. It includes forces of the 8th and 20th Armies of the Eastern and Western Military Districts, as well as forces and equipment of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. In addition, some units of the 4th and 6th Armies of the Military and Air Defence Forces and the anti-aircraft defense forces of the Russian Federation are based near our cordon.]
151. ^ TOI Staff (14 November 2021). "Ukraine's president says 100,000 Russian troops amassed near border". The Times of Israel. Photographs by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP. Associated Press. Archived from the original on 18 November 2021. Retrieved 19 November 2021. "Ukraine's president has said some 100,000 Russian troops are amassed near his country's border."
152. ^ Harris, Shane; Sonne, Paul (3 December 2021). "Russia planning massive military offensive against Ukraine involving 175,000 troops, U.S. intelligence warns". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 30 December 2021. Retrieved 12 January 2022. "While Ukrainian assessments have said Russia has approximately 94,000 troops near the border, the U.S. map puts the number at 70,000."
153. ^ "Interview with Rossiya TV channel". The Kremlin. Moscow: President of Russia. 13 November 2021. Archived from the original on 3 February 2022. Retrieved 20 February 2022. "I have not seen such alarmist declarations, so far, at least. But I suppose it is as you say. Indeed, the United States and their NATO allies are presently conducting an unscheduled, and I want to stress that it is unscheduled, drill in the Black Sea."
154. ^ Altman, Howard (21 November 2021). "Russia preparing to attack Ukraine by late January: Ukraine defense intelligence agency chief". Military Times. Photo by Russian Ministry of Defence Press Service via Associated Press. Sightline Media Group. Retrieved 19 February 2022. "Russia has more than 92,000 troops amassed around Ukraine's borders."
155. ^ Глава разведки Украины назвал протесты в Киеве подготовкой России к военному вторжению [Ukrainian intelligence chief calls protests in Kyiv preparations for Russian military invasion]. Kommersant (in Russian). Kommersant Publishing House. 21 November 2021. Archived from the original on 3 December 2021. Retrieved 23 December 2021. "За недавними протестами против вакцинации от COVID-19 в Киеве и другими митингами на Украине стоит Россия — это подготовка к масштабному военному вторжению, заявил руководитель главного управления разведки Министерства обороны Украины Кирилл Буданов." [Translation via DeepL Translator; Photo by the Office of the President of Ukraine: Russia is behind the recent protests against COVID-19 vaccination in Kiev and other rallies in Ukraine in preparation for a large-scale military invasion, said the head of the main intelligence department of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, Kirill Budanov.]
156. ^ Solovyov, Vladimir (25 November 2021). Ненормандское положение вещей [The Abnormal State of Affairs]. Kommersant (in Russian). Translated via DeepL Translator; photo by Anatoly Zhdanov. Kommersant Publishing House. Archived from the original on 26 December 2021. Retrieved 23 December 2021. "Ожидать активных действий, по его словам, следует в январе-феврале будущего года." [Expect active action, he said, should be in January–February next year.]
157. ^ Hacaoglu, Selcan; Champion, Marc (3 December 2021). "Ukraine Angers Russia by Buying Turkish Drones and Wants To Get Its Hands On More". Bloomberg News. Bloomberg L.P. Archived from the original on 18 February 2022. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
158. ^ Kiselyova, Maria; Tétrault-Farber, Gabrielle (1 December 2021). Osborn, Andrew (ed.). "Russia says Ukraine has deployed half its army to Donbas conflict zone". Reuters. Moscow: Thomson Corporation. Archived from the original on 12 December 2021. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
159. ^ "Russia accuses Ukraine of mobilising artillery, feigning negotiations". Euronews. Moscow. Reuters. 10 December 2021. Archived from the original on 12 December 2021. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
160. ^ Trevelyan, Mark (9 December 2021). Kerry, Frances (ed.). "UPDATE 1-Russia accuses Ukraine of mobilising artillery, feigning negotiations". Yahoo!Finance. Additional reporting by Tom Balmforth. Moscow: Yahoo. Reuters. Archived from the original on 25 December 2021. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
161. ^ "Russia slams Western 'hysteria' over Ukraine". DW.com. Deutsche Welle. 21 November 2021. Archived from the original on 20 December 2021. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
162. ^ "U.S. 'Escalating' Russia-Ukraine Tensions by Arming Kyiv – Kremlin". The Moscow Times. Derk Sauer. 23 November 2021. Archived from the original on 27 November 2021. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
163. ^ Rodionov, Maxim (21 November 2021). Osborn, Andrew; Maclean, William (eds.). "Kremlin accuses West of artificially whipping up Ukraine tensions". Reuters. Additional reporting by Pavel Polityuk (Kyiv). Moscow: Thomson Corporation. Archived from the original on 24 December 2021. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
164. ^ Solovyov, Vladimir; Kovalenko, Marina (3 December 2021). За нашу соседскую родину [For our neighbouring country]. Kommersant (in Russian). No. 221\. p. 1\. Archived from the original on 26 December 2021. Retrieved 23 December 2021. "В Киеве это восприняли как однозначную угрозу. Там с уверенностью говорят о практически неминуемом масштабном конфликте с Россией. Такие опасения 3 декабря высказал министр обороны республики Алексей Резников, выступивший перед депутатами Верховной рады." [In Kyiv, this was perceived as a clear threat. They speak with confidence about an almost inevitable large-scale conflict with Russia. Such fears were expressed on December 3 by the Minister of Defense of the Republic Oleksii Reznikov, who spoke to the deputies of the Verkhovna Rada. "There is a possibility of a large-scale escalation from Russia. The most likely time to achieve readiness for escalation will be the end of January," Mr. Reznikov warned.]
165. ^ Newswire (AP) (3 December 2021). "Ukraine says Russia amassed over 94,000 troops at border". The Independent. Photograph by Associated Press. Kyiv: Independent Digital News & Media Ltd. Associated Press. Retrieved 20 February 2022. "Ukraine's defense minister estimated Friday that Russia has amassed more than 94,000 troops near their borders and said there is a probability of a "large-scale escalation" in late January."
166. ^ "Russia builds up forces on Ukrainian border". Politico. Janes. 9 December 2021. Archived from the original on 10 December 2021. Retrieved 30 December 2021. "hese units include elements of the 41st Combined Arms Army's 74th and 35th Motorised Brigades, 120th Artillery Brigade, and 119th Missile Brigade, as well as limited elements of the 90th Tank Division's 6th Tank Regiment. Since late November, Janes has identified the 41st Combined Arms Army's 55th Motorised Brigade (Mountain) beginning to deploy over 4,000 km from the Tuva region to Yelnya, including the brigade's three Tigr armoured car battalions and elements of its Nona-SVK self-propelled mortar battalion. ... Janes has identified the likely deployment of several new units to the Crimean Peninsula since the start of the October buildup. This includes elements of the 247th Airborne Regiment, at least one 42nd Motorised Division T-72B3 battalion, a Buk-M2 battalion likely from the 90th Air Defence Brigade, and a 34th Motorised Brigade (Mountain) battalion tactical group. Subsequent video footage indicates at least some of this equipment has since returned to its base in the Caucasus mountains."
167. ^ "US intelligence finds Russia planning military offensive against Ukraine". Business Standard. Associated Press. 4 December 2021. Archived from the original on 8 December 2021. Retrieved 23 January 2022. "US intelligence officials have determined that Russian planning is underway for a possible military offensive against Ukraine that could begin as soon as early 2022 and would include an estimated 175,000 personnel, according to an administration official."
168. ^ Schwirtz, Michael; Sanger, David E. (18 January 2022). "Russia Thins Out Its Embassy in Ukraine, a Possible Clue to Putin's Next Move". The New York Times. Kyiv. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 31 January 2022.
169. ^ a b Chance, Matthew; Atwood, Kylie; Lyons, Emmet; Kaufman, Ami (19 January 2022). "Ukraine warns Russia has 'almost completed' build-up of forces near border". edition.cnn.com. CNN. Retrieved 31 January 2022.
170. ^ Wetzel, Tyson K.; Barranco, John B.; Johnson, Benjamin G.; Vardiman, Daniel (21 January 2022). "Will Russia make a military move against Ukraine? Follow these clues". Atlantic Council. Retrieved 31 January 2022. "Additionally, Russia recently deployed other critical combat capabilities to the region."
171. ^ Batashvili, David (30 January 2022). "Geostrategic Activities". Rondeli Russian Military Digest. No. 118\. Rondeli Foundation. Archived from the original on 5 February 2022. Retrieved 11 February 2022. "Numerous sources indicated Russian troops' movements in various parts of Russia, in Belarus and in occupied Crimea. As a part of these movements, the Russian Eastern Military District's forces continued to enter Belarus ... the Russian forces already inside or moving into Belarus include those from: the 36th Army's ... the 29th Army's ... the 35th Army's ... the 5th Army's ... the Pacific Fleet's 155th Naval Infantry Brigade ... the 76th Air Assault Division's ... the 98th Airborne Division's ... the 11th Air Assault Brigade ..."
172. ^ Isachenkov, Vladimir (18 January 2022). "Russia sending more troops to Belarus amid rising tensions with Ukraine". Global News. Contribution by Aamer Madhani (Washington D.C.), Geir Moulson (Berlin), Lorne Cook (Brussels), and Yuras Karmanau (Kyiv). Global Television Network. Associated Press. Archived from the original on 19 January 2022. Retrieved 19 January 2022. "Ukrainian officials have warned that Russia could launch an attack on Ukraine from various directions, including from its ally Belarus."
173. ^ Newswires (18 January 2022). "US fears arrival of Russian troops could lead to nuclear weapons in Belarus". france24.com. Photograph by AFP. France 24. Agence France-Presse. Archived from the original on 19 January 2022. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
174. ^ Isachenkov, Vladimir (19 January 2022). "Russia moves more troops westward amid Ukraine tensions". ABC News. Contribution by Aamer Madhani and Ellen Knickmeyer (Washington D.C.), Geir Moulson (Berlin), Lorne Cook (Brussels), and Yuras Karmanau (Kyiv); Photograph by Associated Press. Moscow: American Broadcasting Company. Associated Press. Archived from the original on 19 January 2022. Retrieved 19 January 2022. "A senior Biden administration official said the Russian troop deployment to Belarus raises concerns that Moscow may be planning to stage troops there to stretch Ukraine's defenses with an attack from the north."
175. ^ Mitchell, Ellen (18 January 2022). "Russia sends troops to Belarus for war games". The Hill. Photograph by Associated Press. Archived from the original on 19 January 2022. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
176. ^ Sanger, David E. (20 January 2022). "Biden Predicts Putin Will Order Ukraine Invasion, but 'Will Regret Having Done It'". The New York Times. Washington D.C. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 1 February 2022. "President Biden said on Wednesday that he now expected President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia would order an invasion of Ukraine, delivering a grim assessment that the diplomacy and ... 'The answer is that I think he still does not want a full-blown war, No. 1. No. 2, do I think he'll test the West, test the United States and NATO as significantly as he can? Yes, I think he will, but I think he'll pay a serious and dear price for it that he doesn't think now will cost him what it's going to cost him. And I think he will regret having done it.'"
177. ^ "Joe Biden thinks Russia will attack Ukraine – but will face a 'stiff price'". The Guardian. 20 January 2022.
178. ^ Soldatkin, Vladimir; Balmforth, Tom (20 January 2022). Trevelyan, Mark (ed.). "Russia to hold major navy drills involving all its fleets". Reuters. Photograph by Vitaly Nevar (Reuters). Moscow: Thomson Corporation. Archived from the original on 24 January 2022. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
179. ^ Stewart, Phil (30 January 2022). Milliken, Mary; Bell, Alistair; Kerry, Frances (eds.). "EXCLUSIVE Russia moves blood supplies near Ukraine, adding to U.S. concern, officials say". Reuters. Reporting by Phil Stewart; Additional reporting by Tom Balmforth (Moscow) and Pavel Polityuk in (Kyiv). Washington D.C.: Thomson Corporation. Archived from the original on 27 February 2022. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
180. ^ Weymouth, Lally (20 January 2022). "Perspective | Volodymyr Zelensky: 'Everyone will lose' if Russia invades Ukraine". The Washington Post. Nash Holdings. ISSN 0190-8286. Archived from the original on 21 January 2022. Retrieved 21 January 2022. "I will say realistically if Russia decides to enhance their escalation, of course they are going to do this on those territories where historically there are people who used to have family links to Russia. Kharkiv, which is under Ukraine government control, could be occupied. Russia needs a pretext: They will say that they are protecting the Russian-speaking population ... If we are going to protect ourselves against one of the most powerful armies in the world, then this will be war. And if this will be war, it's going to be a very strong war, and everyone will lose."
181. ^ Stewart, Phil; Pamuk, Humeyra (6 February 2022). Milliken, Mary; Wallis, Daniel (eds.). "Russian forces at 70% of level needed for full Ukraine invasion, U.S. officials say". Reuters. Photographs by Vadim Yakubyonok and Oleksandr Klymenko. Washington D.C.: Thomson Corporation. Archived from the original on 22 February 2022. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
182. ^ Отряд кораблей ВМФ РФ завершил переход в Севастополь [A detachment of ships of the Russian Navy has completed its passage to Sevastopol]. Izvestia (in Russian). National Media Group. 10 February 2022. Archived from the original on 16 February 2022. Retrieved 27 February 2022. "8 февраля в Минобороны РФ сообщили, что отряд из шести больших десантных кораблей ВМФ России направился в Черное море для учений ... 'Отряд больших десантных кораблей Военно-морского флота России в составе 'Королев', 'Минск', 'Калининград', 'Петр Моргунов', 'Георгий Победоносец' и 'Оленегорский горняк' завершил межфлотский переход вокруг Европы. В настоящий момент корабли заходят в главную базу Черноморского флота — город Севастополь', — говорится в сообщении. [Translated via DeepL Translator; photographs by Paul Lvov of RIA Novosti: On February 8, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that a detachment of six large landing ships of the Russian Navy has headed to the Black Sea for exercises ... 'A detachment of large landing ships of the Russian Navy consisting of the 'Korolev', 'Minsk', 'Kaliningrad', 'Pyotr Morgunov', 'Georgy Pobedonosets' and 'Olenegorsk Miner' has completed an inter-fleet crossing around Europe. At the moment the ships are calling at the main base of the Black Sea Fleet – the city of Sevastopol,' the report said.]"
183. ^ Российские военные проведут учения с корабельными группами в Черном море [The Russian military will conduct exercises with ship groups in the Black Sea]. Interfax (in Russian). Moscow: Interfax Group. 10 February 2022. Archived from the original on 21 February 2022. Retrieved 28 February 2022. "В Черном море пройдут учения, в котором будут задействованы корабельные тактические группы Черноморского флота РФ, сообщила пресс-служба флота в четверг. [Translated: An exercise will be held in the Black Sea, in which naval tactical groups of the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Federation will be involved, the press service of the fleet said on Thursday.]"
184. ^ "Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine on the Decision of the Russian Federation to Block Parts of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait". The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. Government of Ukraine. 10 February 2022. Archived from the original on 24 February 2022. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
185. ^ Landale, James (10 February 2022). "Ukraine tensions: Russia accused of sea blockade". BBC Online. BBC. Archived from the original on 15 February 2022. Retrieved 28 February 2022. "Photographs by Reuters, Getty Images, and the Russian Defence Ministry: Ukraine has accused Russia of blocking its access to the sea as Russia prepares for naval exercises next week amid spiralling tension in the region."
186. ^ Защитить воздушное пространство: как проходят учения 'Союзная решимость – 2022' [Protect airspace: how the 'Allied Resolve – 2022' exercises are going]. Zvezda (in Russian). Russian Ministry of Defence. 10 February 2022. Archived from the original on 13 February 2022. Retrieved 27 February 2022. "В Белоруссии стартовали совместные с Россией масштабные маневры 'Союзная решимость – 2022'. Военнослужащие будут тренироваться отражать внешнюю агрессию и вести оборонительные операции, пресекать проникновение диверсантов и перекрывать каналы незаконной поставки оружия. [Translation via Google Translate: Large-scale maneuvers 'Allied Resolve – 2022' jointly with Russia have started in Belarus. The servicemen will train to repel external aggression and conduct defensive operations, prevent the penetration of saboteurs and block the channels of illegal supply of weapons.]"
187. ^ Walker, Shaun (10 February 2022). "Russia and Belarus begin military drills near Belarusian border with Ukraine". The Guardian. Photograph by Anadolu Agency. Kyiv. Archived from the original on 26 February 2022. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
188. ^ Herszenhorn, David M. (11 February 2022). "US warns war could be 'imminent' in Ukraine". Politico. Axel Springer SE. Archived from the original on 26 February 2022. Retrieved 28 February 2022. "Contribution from Erin Banco, Jacopo Barigazzi, Lili Bayer, Quint Forgey, Cristina Gallardo, Jakob Hanke Vela, Paul McLeary, Nahal Toosi, Hans von der Burchard and Giorgio Leali; Photograph by Sergey Bobok (Agence-France Presse) via Getty Images. [U].S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan declined to describe specific intelligence, but insisted the attack could begin before the end of the Winter Olympics in Beijing on February 20."
189. ^ a b Newswire (Associated Press) (12 February 2022). "Ukraine crisis: Biden and Putin to talk, Zelenskyy slams latest invasion warnings". Euronews. Photograph by Andreea Alexandru (Associated Press). Alpac Capital. Associated Press. Retrieved 20 February 2022. "According to a US official familiar with the findings, the US acquired intelligence that Russia is looking at Wednesday as a target date."
190. ^ Baumgärtner, Maik; Gebauer, Matthias; Knobbe, Martin; Schmid, Fidelius (11 February 2022). "CIA rechnet mit russischem Angriff kommende Woche" [CIA expects Russian attack next week]. Der Spiegel (in German). Translation via DeepL Translator. Retrieved 13 February 2022. "Als Datum für den möglichen Beginn der Invasion wurde der 16. Februar genannt. [Translation: February 16 was mentioned as a possible date for the start of the invasion.]"
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192. ^ Adams, Paul (12 February 2022). "Ukraine tensions: A dozen nations tell citizens to leave Ukraine". BBC Online. BBC. Archived from the original on 23 February 2022. Retrieved 28 February 2022. "Photographs by Reuters. Many countries, including Australia, Italy, Israel, the Netherlands and Japan have told their citizens to leave Ukraine. Some have also evacuated diplomatic staff and their families."
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611. ^ a b Galeotti, Mark (7 February 2022). "Anti-War Broadside Highlights Nationalist Critique of Putin". The Moscow Times. Archived from the original on 7 February 2022. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
612. ^ "Thousands Of Russian Intellectuals, Activists Urge Kremlin To Avoid 'Immoral' War With Ukraine". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 1 February 2022. Archived from the original on 1 February 2022. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
613. ^ Обращение Общероссийского офицерского собрания к президенту и гражданам Российской Федерации [Appeal of the All-Russian Officers' Assembly to the President and citizens of the Russian Federation]. All-Russian Officers' Assembly (in Russian). 31 January 2022. Archived from the original on 14 February 2022. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
614. ^ В Москве задержали правозащитников, которые вышли в пикеты против войны в Украине [Human rights activists who protested against the war in Ukraine were detained in Moscow]. Current Time TV (in Russian). 20 February 2022. Archived from the original on 20 February 2022. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
615. ^ "Thousands protest in Ukraine's Kharkiv against Russian threat". Al Jazeera. 5 February 2022. Archived from the original on 5 February 2022. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
616. ^ "Thousands of Ukrainians March In Kharkiv Against Russian Threat". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 5 February 2022. Archived from the original on 5 February 2022. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
617. ^ "Thousands march in Kyiv to show unity against Russian war threat". Al Jazeera. 12 February 2022. Archived from the original on 12 February 2022. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
618. ^ Polityuk, Pavel; Ogirenko, Valentyn (12 February 2022). "Thousands march in Kyiv to show unity against Russian threat". Thomson Reuters. Archived from the original on 12 February 2022. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
619. ^ "Russian threat to Ukraine exposes fault lines in Eastern Orthodoxy". The Week. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
620. ^ "Major Archbishop Urges Ukrainians to be United in Face of 'Great Threat'". National Catholic Register. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
621. ^ "Ukraine crisis: A statement by Florence Gillette, head of ICRC delegation in Kyiv". ICRC.org. International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
622. ^ "SpaceX Starlink user terminals arrive in Ukraine, officials says". CNN. 28 February 2022. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
623. ^ "Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet terminals arrive in Ukraine". New York Post. 28 February 2022. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
624. ^ a b Nielsen, Nikolaj (24 February 2022). "Ukrainians fleeing as aid groups scramble to offer support". EUobserver. Brussels: EUobserver.com ASBL. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
625. ^ Epstein, Jake (24 February 2022). "Thousands of Ukrainian refugees have fled to Moldova, where the government has set up tents and vowed to keep its borders open to help". Business Insider. Photograph by Maia Sandu. Axel Springer SE. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
626. ^ Marina, Georgiana (25 February 2022). "Mii de ucraineni au fugit de război și au venit în România. Bărbații și-au adus familiile până la graniță și apoi s-au întors să lupte" [Thousands of Ukrainians fled the war and came to Romania. The men brought their families to the border and then returned to fight]. Digi24 (in Romanian). Retrieved 25 February 2022. "Mii de refugiați ucraineni au intrat în România prin punctele de frontieră, iar traficul în vămi în ultimele ore a crescut cu 120%." [Thousands of Ukrainian refugees have entered Romania through border crossings, and customs traffic has increased by 120% in recent hours.]
627. ^ "Nearly 26,000 Ukrainians Have Reached Moldova & Romania". SchengenVisaInfo.com. 25 February 2022. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
628. ^ "Russia invades Ukraine LIVE". Deutsche Welle. 26 February 2022. "Nearly 120,000 Ukrainians have fled to Poland"
629. ^ a b Klesty, Victoria (8 March 2022). "News Comment: UNHCR's Grandi praises Europe's welcome for Refugees fleeing Ukraine". Reuters. "2 million refugees fleeing Ukraine in just 12 days, mainly into five neighbouring countries. Over half are fleeing to Poland alone"
630. ^ News, Polsat. "Pół miliona uchodźców z Ukrainy. Najwięcej dotarło do Polski" [Half a million refugees from Ukraine. Most of them reached Poland]. polsatnews.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 28 February 2022.
631. ^ Grandi, Filippo (6 March 2022). "UN refugee chief: Exodus from Ukraine fastest-growing since WWII". Yahoo News. The Hill.
632. ^ Komuves, Anita (10 March 2022). "Ukrainians stranded by war while on holiday in Egypt head home". Reuters.
633. ^ "The British people want Ukraine's refugees treated fairly, not cruelly repelled". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
634. ^ "As Europe Readies for a Wave of Ukrainian Refugees, History Suggests the U.S. Should Do the Same". boundless.com. Retrieved 28 February 2022.

## External links[edit]

| Wikiquote has quotations related to: Prelude to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine

|

* Russian draft treaties:
* Agreement on measures to ensure the security of The Russian Federation and member States of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. 17 December 2021. Archived 10 January 2022 at the Wayback Machine.
* Treaty between The United States of America and the Russian Federation on security guarantees. 17 December 2021. Archived 16 January 2022 at the Wayback Machine.

* v
* t
* e

Russo-Ukrainian War

Main events|

* Euromaidan
* Revolution of Dignity
* Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation
* timeline
* 2014 pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine
* Historical background
* timeline
* 2014 Odessa clashes
* War in Donbas
* timeline
* List of Russian units which invaded the territory of Ukraine
* Kerch Strait incident
* Prelude to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
* reactions
* 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
* timeline

Impact and reactions|

* International sanctions
* sanctioned people
* OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine
* Act of 2014
* ICJ case
* ORDLO
* ATO
* International reactions to the war in Donbas
* Casualties of the Russo-Ukrainian War
* journalists killed
* 2014 Crimean status referendum
* Political status of Crimea
* Economic impact of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine

Cyberwarfare|

* 2015 Ukraine power grid hack
* 2016 Surkov leaks
* 2017 Ukraine ransomware attacks
* 2022 Ukraine cyberattacks
* IT Army of Ukraine
* 2022 Roskomnadzor leak

Media|

* Little green men
* Media portrayal of the Ukrainian crisis
* Disinformation in the 2021–2022 crisis
* Propaganda in the Russian Federation

Related|

* Russia–Ukraine relations
* Russian language in Ukraine
* Demolition of monuments to Vladimir Lenin in Ukraine
* 2014 anti-war protests in Russia
* Second Cold War
* 2018 Moscow–Constantinople schism
* Control of cities

* Category

* v
* t
* e

2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine

Part of the Russo-Ukrainian War

Overview

| General|

* Timeline
* Control of cities
* Information war
* Legality
* Map
* Order of battle
* Peace negotiations
* Proposed no-fly zone
* Reparations
* Weapons

|

Prelude|

* Reactions
* Disinformation
* "On the Historical Unity of Russians and Ukrainians"
* Zapad 2021
* Ukraine cyberattacks
* Union Resolve 2022
* Evacuation of the Donetsk PR and Luhansk PR
* "Address concerning the events in Ukraine"
* "On conducting a special military operation"

Background|

* Annexation of Crimea
* reactions
* War in Donbas
* Minsk agreements
* humanitarian situation
* international recognition of the Donetsk PR and Luhansk PR
* Putinism
* Foundations of Geopolitics
* Rashism
* Russian irredentism

Foreign relations|

* Russia–Ukraine
* Belarus–Ukraine
* Russia–United States
* Ukraine–NATO
* enlargement of NATO

Military engagements

| Southern Ukraine|

* Attack on Snake Island
* Battle of Kherson
* Bombing of Odessa
* Battle of Melitopol
* Battle of Mykolaiv
* Battle of Enerhodar
* Battle of Voznesensk

|

Eastern Ukraine|

* Battle of Avdiivka
* Siege of Mariupol
* Battle of Starobilsk
* Battle of Volnovakha
* Battle of Sievierodonetsk

Kyiv|

* Battle of Antonov Airport
* Battle of Chernobyl
* Battle of Ivankiv
* Battle of Kyiv
* Battle of Hostomel
* Battle of Vasylkiv
* Battle of Bucha
* Battle of Irpin
* Battle of Brovary
* Battle of Slavutych

Northeastern Ukraine|

* Battle of Kharkiv
* Battle of Konotop
* Battle of Sumy
* Battle of Trostianets
* Siege of Chernihiv
* Battle of Okhtyrka
* Battle of Lebedyn
* Battle of Izium

Strikes on military targets|

* Chuhuiv air base attack
* Millerovo air base attack
* Chornobaivka attacks
* 16 March airport airstrike
* March 2022 Taganrog military airport attack
* Vinnytsia attacks
* Yavoriv military base attack
* Berdiansk port attack
* Attack on Belgorod
* Sinking of the Moskva
* Belgorod and Bryansk attacks

Other|

* Assassination attempts on Volodymyr Zelenskyy

War crimes

| Attacks on civilians|

* Claims of genocide against Ukrainians
* Zhytomyr attacks
* Kharkiv cluster bombing
* Chernihiv bombing
* Irpin refugee column shelling
* Mariupol hospital airstrike
* Mykolaiv cluster bombing
* Donetsk attack
* Chernihiv breadline attack
* Mariupol theatre airstrike
* Mariupol art school bombing
* Kyiv shopping centre bombing
* Sumykhimprom ammonia leak
* Torture in Mala Rohan [ru]
* Mykolaiv government building airstrike
* Bucha massacre
* Kramatorsk railway station attack
* Bombing of Borodianka

|

Sexual violence|

* Sexual violence

Legal cases|

* ICC investigation
* ICJ court case
* Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine
* Task Force on Accountability
* Universal jurisdiction

Reactions

| States and
official entities|

| General|

* Sanctions
* people and organizations
* Foreign aid

|

Ukraine|

* Headquarters of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief
* International Legion
* Freedom of Russia Legion
* Kastuś Kalinoŭski Battalion
* Look for Your Own

Russia|

* Moscow rally
* Russian fake news laws
* Ukraine biolabs conspiracy theory
* Unfriendly Countries List
* "What Russia should do with Ukraine"

Pro-Ukraine|

* India
* Operation Ganga
* United Kingdom
* Economic Crime Act
* Homes for Ukraine
* United States
* State of the Union Address
* Task Force KleptoCapture
* Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act

United Nations|

* Emergency special session
* Resolution ES-11/1
* Resolution ES-11/2
* Resolution ES-11/3
* Security Council Resolution 2623

EU and NATO|

* Brussels extraordinary summit
* NATO virtual summit
* Operation Oscar
* REPowerEU
* SWIFT ban against Russian banks

Other|

* Belarusian involvement
* Chechen involvement
* Chinese response
* Consecration of Russia

Public|

| Protests|

* In Russian-occupied Ukraine
* In Russia
* Anti-War Committee
* Feminist Anti-War Resistance
* Marina Ovsyannikova
* White-blue-white flag
* In Belarus
* In China
* Great Translation Movement

|

Companies|

* Address of the Russian Union of Rectors
* Boycott of Russia and Belarus
* "Do not buy Russian goods!"
* Stop Bloody Energy
* Wagner Group

Technology|

* Actions of Anonymous
* IT Army of Ukraine
* Open-source intelligence
* peacenotwar
* Roskomnadzor leak
* Russian Asset Tracker
* Ukraine Siren Alerts

Other|

* Collaboration with Russia
* Concert for Ukraine
* Global Tour for Peace
* Open letter from Nobel laureates
* Rail war in Belarus

Impact

| Effects|

* Casualties
* journalists killed
* Russian generals killed
* Economic impact
* Russia–EU gas dispute
* Russian debt default
* protests in Peru
* Environmental impact
* Food crises
* Russian emigration
* Impact on women
* Impact on nuclear power plants
* Impact on Ukrainian cultural heritage
* Russia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022
* Ship losses
* Aircraft losses

|

Human rights|

* Ukrainian refugee crisis
* HRC Commission of Inquiry
* UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission

Phrases|

* "And now I will show you where the attack on Belarus was prepared from"
* "Good evening, we are from Ukraine"
* "Putin khuylo!"
* "Russian warship, go fuck yourself"
* stamp
* "Slava Ukraini!"
* "Where have you been for eight years?"

Popular culture|

* "Back to the Cold War"
* "Bayraktar"
* Ghost of Kyiv
* "Hey, Hey, Rise Up!"
* "Putler"
* "Slava Ukraini!" (song)
* "Z" military symbol

Key people

|  Ukrainians|

* Volodymyr Zelenskyy
* speeches
* Denys Shmyhal
* Oleksii Reznikov
* Valerii Zaluzhnyi
* Denys Monastyrsky
* Oleksiy Danilov
* Serhiy Shaptala
* Ruslan Khomchak
* Oleksandr Syrskyi
* Vitali Klitschko
* Sergiy Kyslytsya
* Denys Prokopenko

|

Russians|

* Vladimir Putin
* Mikhail Mishustin
* Sergei Shoigu
* Valery Gerasimov
* Alexander Bortnikov
* Nikolai Patrushev
* Sergey Naryshkin
* Ramzan Kadyrov
* Sergey Lavrov
* Aleksandr Dvornikov
* Igor Kastyukevich

Other|

* Alexander Lukashenko
* Denis Pushilin
* Leonid Pasechnik

Related

* Hero City of Ukraine
* Proposed Russian annexation of South Ossetia
* Russian Kyiv convoy
* Role of Wikipedia
* threat to block in Russia
* detention of Mark Bernstein
* Streets renamed
* Ukraine Square, Oslo
* U-24 association
* Zagreb Tu-141 crash

* Category
* Commons

* v
* t
* e

Russia–Ukraine relations

Diplomatic posts|

* Embassy of Russia, Kyiv
* Embassy of Ukraine, Moscow
* Ambassadors of Ukraine to Russia

Diplomacy|

* Belovezh Accords
* Massandra Accords
* Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances
* Partition Treaty on the Status and Conditions of the Black Sea Fleet
* Russian–Ukrainian Friendship Treaty
* Treaty Between the Russian Federation and Ukraine on Cooperation in the Use of the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait
* Kharkiv Pact
* 17 December 2013 Russian–Ukrainian action plan

Russo-Ukrainian War|

* Euromaidan
* Revolution of Dignity
* 2014 pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine
* Historical background
* Russian sabotage activities in Ukraine (2014)
* Crimean speech of Vladimir Putin
* Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation
* Political status of Crimea
* Occupied territories of Ukraine
* Russian-occupied territories
* War in Donbas
* Putin. War
* Trilateral Contact Group on Ukraine
* Normandy Format
* Minsk agreements
* Ukraine v. Russian Federation (2019)
* Zapad 2017 exercise
* Prelude to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
* reactions
* disinformation
* 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
* Peace negotiations
* Russia sanctions against Ukraine
* Russian book ban in Ukraine
* Russian embargo of Ukrainian goods
* Russian information war against Ukraine
* Russian–Ukrainian cyberwarfare
* Ukraine v. Russian Federation (2022)
* What Russia should do with Ukraine

Incidents|

* Siberia Airlines Flight 1812
* 2003 Tuzla Island conflict
* Orange Revolution
* Russia–Ukraine gas disputes
* 2005–2006 Russia–Ukraine gas dispute
* Remember about the Gas – Do not buy Russian goods!
* 2009 Russia–Ukraine gas dispute

Related|

* Russia–Ukraine border
* Russia–Ukraine relations in the Eurovision Song Contest
* Urengoy–Pomary–Uzhhorod pipeline
* Black Sea Fiber-Optic Cable System
* ITUR
* Orthodox Church of Ukraine
* Russian language in Ukraine
* On the Independence of Ukraine
* "On the Historical Unity of Russians and Ukrainians"
* Spartak Moscow–Dynamo Kyiv rivalry
* International recognition of the Donetsk People's Republic and the Luhansk People's Republic
* Donetsk People's Republic–Russia relations
* Luhansk People's Republic–Russia relations

Category:Russia–Ukraine relations

* v
* t
* e

Vladimir Putin

* 4th President of Russia (2012–present)
* 2nd President of Russia (2000–2008)
* 33rd Prime Minister of Russia (1999–2000, 2008–2012)

Political activities|

* Electoral history
* Presidential elections
* 2000
* campaign
* 2004
* campaign
* 2012
* campaign
* 2018
* campaign
* First Cabinet
* Second Cabinet
* United Russia
* All-Russia People's Front

Presidency|

* Inaugurations
* first
* second
* third
* fourth
* Political groups
* Sovereign democracy
* Speeches
* Munich 2007
* Crimea 2014
* Valdai 2014
* Federal Assembly 2020
* Donetsk and Luhansk 2022
* Ukraine 2022
* Protests
* 2011–2013
* 2014
* 2017–2018
* 2019 Moscow election protests
* 2020–2021 Khabarovsk Krai protests
* 2021
* 2021 election protests
* 2022 anti-war protests in Russia
* Opposition

Domestic policy|

* Legislation and programs
* national champions
* priority projects
* stabilization fund
* Putin's Plan
* 2008–2009 recession
* 2014–2016 financial crisis

Foreign policy|

* International trips
* United States summits
* Slovenia 2001
* Slovakia 2005
* Helsinki 2018
* Geneva 2021
* 2008 Russo-Georgian war
* 2019 meeting with Kim Jong-un
* European energy sector
* Russia–Ukraine gas disputes
* Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty
* Russo-Ukrainian War
* 2014 Annexation of Crimea
* War in Donbas
* Prelude to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
* 2022 invasion
* Syrian civil war
* military intervention
* Russian world

Family|

* Lyudmila Putina (former wife)
* Maria Vorontsova (daughter)
* Katerina Tikhonova (daughter)
* Pets
* Konni (family dog)
* Jorrit Faassen (former son-in-law)
* Kirill Shamalov (former son-in-law)

Public image|

* Direct Line with Vladimir Putin
* Followers
* Chapel of Russia's Resurrection
* Nashi youth movement
* PutinTeam
* Walking Together
* Tributes
* "A man like Putin"
* Happy Birthday, Mr. Putin!
* Vladimir Putin Peak
* Criticism
* Putin khuylo!
* Putin Must Go
* Putin's Palace
* Putin. Corruption
* Putin. War
* Putinland
* Putinversteher
* Putler
* Public image of Vladimir Putin
* Putin-Medvedev tandemocracy
* Putin: The New Tsar
* Spitting Image
* Putin's Palace (film)

* ← Boris Yeltsin
* Category:Vladimir Putin
* Dmitry Medvedev →

*[v]: View this template
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*[e]: Edit this template