Russia's invasion and the turning point: Those were the big milestones in the Ukraine war in 2022
Created: 12/30/2022 3:23 p.m
By: Andreas Schmid
On August 9, multiple explosions rock a Russian airbase on the Crimean Peninsula, annexed in 2014.
Several planes are destroyed.
A week later, a Russian ammunition dump detonated in Crimea.
Russia speaks of an "act of sabotage".
© dpa
Invasion, war crimes, counter-offensives, retreats: The Ukraine war overshadowed the whole of 2022. An overview of the fateful moments.
Kyiv – The Ukraine war has been at the top of the world political agenda for ten months.
With all its consequences, from increased migration to the energy crisis and the general question of how to deal appropriately with Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin.
In 2022, peace efforts came to nothing - the war also struck in 2023.
The future view of the war will probably depend largely on its outcome.
But there are also war events that are remembered as particularly formative.
During the Second World War, for example, from a German perspective, the Battle of Stalingrad.
In the more than ten months of the Ukraine war, there were also formative events: an overview of the major milestones and turning points.
The first months of the Ukraine war: Russia's Kyiv strategy fails
February 24 ⇨ Russia attacks Ukraine
: In the early hours of the morning, Russia starts bombing Ukraine and sends troops into the country.
Putin speaks of a "special military operation" to "denazify" Ukraine.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declares a state of war.
March 2nd ⇨ First Ukrainian city captured
: Russian troops capture the southern Ukrainian city of Cherson, which is strategically important due to its proximity to the Crimean peninsula annexed in 2014 and the Dnieper River.
At the same time, Moscow is preparing an offensive on the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv and the eastern Ukrainian metropolis of Kharkiv.
March 25 ⇨ Change of strategy after Ukrainian counter-offensive
: Ukrainian troops beat back Putin's soldiers in the suburbs of Kiev.
The capture of the capital fails, as does the maneuver in Kharkiv.
The Kremlin then announced that it would now concentrate on the symbolically important Donbass.
It also includes areas held by pro-Russian separatists.
April 2nd ⇨ Bucha massacre
: Russian troops withdraw from the Kiev region, now 400 bodies are found in the Bucha suburb.
Dead people lie on the streets.
Later, dead people, some of whom were tortured, are also discovered in Irpin.
Russia denies war crimes.
April 14 ⇨ Moskva sinks
: The Russian warship Moskva sinks in the Black Sea.
After Ukrainian shelling there was an explosion, at least 17 soldiers died and others are missing.
May 21 ⇨ Russia captures Mariupol
: After weeks of fighting, Russia succeeds in capturing the eastern Ukrainian city of Mariupol.
The epicenter of the fighting is the Azov Steelworks, where Russian forces are taking 2,500 Ukrainian soldiers prisoner of war.
The city was extensively destroyed by the bombardment.
A building destroyed by artillery fire in Mariupol.
© imago-images
Summer in the Ukraine war: West delivers weapons, fighting continues
June ⇨ Weapons deliveries reach the Ukraine
: The West supports the Ukraine with larger weapon deliveries, Washington sends the Hirmas multiple rocket launchers to Kiev, Germany some tanks.
The military support is intended to help Kyiv with its counter-offensive.
At the same time, Ukraine will become a candidate for EU membership.
June 30 ⇨ Russia retreats from Snake Island
: After repeated Ukrainian attacks, Russia's army clears Snake Island south of Odessa.
3 July ⇨ Luhansk region under Russian control
: Russian troops capture the Donbass cities of Sievjerodonetsk and Lysychansk, an important step towards complete control of the Luhansk region.
Russia issues Russian passports locally and introduces the ruble as a means of payment.
July ⇨ Concern about nuclear power plant escalation
: The front is moving around the Ukrainian nuclear power plant Zaporizhia, the largest in Europe.
Russia and Ukraine accuse each other of shelling the nuclear power plant.
Fear of a nuclear catastrophe grows, but the situation finally eases, also thanks to the mediation of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
9 August ⇨ Crimea explosion
: On Russia's annexed Crimea peninsula, an explosion destroys a key Russian air base.
Kyiv later claims responsibility for the action.
Pictures of the Ukraine war: great horror and small moments of happiness
View photo gallery
Autumn in the Ukraine war: retreat, partial mobilization, annexation
September 10th ⇨ Russian withdrawal from Kharkiv
: First success for the Ukrainian counteroffensive.
Ukraine recaptures the towns of Kupyansk and Izyum in the Kharkiv region.
Russia withdraws from the area.
September 21 ⇨ Putin announces partial mobilization
: In response to the liberation of Kharkiv, the Kremlin announces partial mobilization.
At least 300,000 Russians are said to be in the military, some are refusing and many are fleeing.
There are also critical voices in Russia.
30 September ⇨ Annexation
of Ukrainian territories: Russia annexes four territories in eastern Ukraine after holding mock referendums;
Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhia and Kherson.
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Winter in the Ukraine War:
October ⇨ Counter-offensives in the Donbass
: Ukraine conquers other areas such as the city of Lyman in the Donetsk Oblast, and progress is also being made in Luhansk.
On October 8, the Ukrainian military damaged the strategically important Crimean bridge.
November 9th ⇨ Russian withdrawal from Cherson
: The Ukraine can also liberate Cherson, which has been occupied for months.
Western officials see a possible turning point in the war, although fears of a winter war are growing.
November 15 ⇨ Russian backlash including Poland incident
: In a single day, Russian troops fire nearly 100 rockets at cities in Ukraine.
On the same day, a missile hit Poland, a NATO country.
It is said to be a Ukrainian anti-aircraft missile that wanted to intercept a Russian cruise missile.
December ⇨ The war goes on
: Russia continues to attack civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, the fighting continues through Christmas.
There is vague speculation that Belarus will enter the war.
Selenskyj travels to the USA, Russia seeks to close ranks with China.
A peaceful solution is not in sight.
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