The war in Ukraine began in two major phases:
- The initial conflict started in February 2014 after Russia's occupation and annexation of Crimea, followed by Russian-backed separatists taking control of parts of the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine. This conflict involved fighting between Ukrainian forces and Russian-supported militants and lasted several years, including an ongoing low-scale war in eastern Ukraine.
- The full-scale war began on February 24, 2022, when Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine, escalating the conflict dramatically into the biggest war in Europe since World War II. This offensive included air and ground attacks from multiple directions and was officially called a "special military operation" by Russia.
In summary, the war's roots trace back to early 2014, but the full-scale war started on February 24, 2022.
