OSMP Collection
Ukraine and Russia 2022–2026
On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, involving military forces aimed at capturing most major cities, including the capital, Kyiv. It became the largest conflict in Europe since World War II, and about a quarter of Ukraine’s territory came under Russian control. But Russian troops were eventually pushed back from Kyiv. Later that year, a Ukrainian counteroffensive led to the liberation of a number of key regions, including the second largest city, Kharkiv.
After the initial invasion and counteroffensive, the war was characterised by relatively stable and well-fortified front lines, an atypical trend for 21st-century warfare. Both sides used significant amounts of heavy weapons, including artillery and mortars. UAVs were also widely used, including so-called kamikaze drones—single-use strike drones. Airspace remains contested, so although the use of aerial munitions is frequent, it is less common than in other modern conflicts.
Although Russian military actions were recorded throughout Ukraine, the most intense fighting took place in the eastern regions, near the border with Russia. As of May 2024, Ukraine’s hopes of a breakthrough seemed to have faded due to the numerical and military superiority of Russian forces in many places.
































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































