On 24 February 2022, Russia launched a military invasion of Ukraine in a steep escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War. The campaign had been preceded by a Russian military buildup since early 2021[1] and numerous Russian demands for security measures and legal prohibitions against Ukraine joining NATO.[2]
On 10 November 2021, the United States reported an unusual movement of Russian troops near Ukraine's borders.[3] On 7 December, US President Joe Biden warned President of Russia Vladimir Putin of "strong economic and other measures" if Russia attacks Ukraine.[4] On 17 December 2021, Putin proposed a prohibition on Ukraine joining NATO, which Ukraine rejected.[4]
On 17 January 2022, Russian troops began arriving in Russia's ally Belarus, ostensibly "for military exercises".[5] On 24 January, NATO put troops on standby.[5] On 25 January, Russian military exercises involving 6,000 troops and 60 jets take place in Russia near Ukraine and Crimea.[5] On 10 February, Russia and Belarus began 10 days of military maneuvers.[5] Fighting escalated in separatist regions of eastern Ukraine on the 17th.[5] On 21 February, Vladimir Putin officially ordered Russian forces to enter the separatist republics in eastern Ukraine.[6] He also announced Russian recognition of the two pro-Russian breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine (the Donetsk People's Republic and the Luhansk People's Republic).[7][8]
