On 24 February, Putin launches what he describes as a “special military operation”, ordering tens of thousands of Russian troops into neighbouring Ukraine from the north, east and south. Hoping for a swift victory, Russian forces move on the capital Kyiv but are eventually forced to retreat.
Neighbouring countries and the EU prepare to open their borders to hundreds of thousands of people fleeing the conflict. Queues at border crossings stretch for several kilometres, although men of conscription age are prevented from leaving the country.
Western nations impose a widespread package of sanctions on Moscow, in response to the invasion. These include stopping transactions with Russia’s central bank, banning new investment and freezing the assets of Russian political and business leaders.
February 2023
President Zelenskyy says Russian offensives in the east and south are part of a strategy to make gains before Kyiv receives tanks and other heavy weaponry from its allies. NATO also begins discussing its request for fighter jets and long-range missiles.
Western countries look at imposing a new raft of sanctions against Russia to tie in with the first anniversary of the war. US officials say they are looking at sanctioning more banks with links to Moscow and stepping up enforcement of existing rules.
Experts estimate lost European sales could halve the export revenues of Russian energy giant Gazprom in 2023. Its revenues from overseas sales may have declined in January to $3.4 billion from $6.3 billion in the year-earlier period.
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