Timeline of the Russian invasion of Ukraine

Animated map of the invasion (for a more detailed, interactive map, see here)

In February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine. This is the list of key events in that conflict.

This timeline is a dynamic and fluid list, and as such may never satisfy criteria of completeness. Some events may only be fully understood and/or discovered in retrospect.

Background

Main article: 2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis

On 24 February, Russia launched a comprehensive invasion of Ukraine, marking a major escalation of the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War. The campaign had been preceded by a prolonged Russian military buildup (since early 2021), as well as numerous Russian demands for security measures and legal prohibitions against Ukraine joining NATO.

Lead up

On 10 November 2021, the United States reports unusual movement of Russian troops near the borders of Ukraine. By 28 November, Ukraine reports a build up of 92,000 Russian troops. On 7 December, US president Joe Biden warns Putin of "strong economic and other measures" if Russia attacks Ukraine. On 17 December, Putin proposes limits on NATO's activities in eastern Europe, such as a prohibition on Ukraine ever joining NATO, which are rejected. On 17 January 2022, Russian troops begin arriving in Russia's ally Belarus for military exercises. On 19 January, the US gives Ukraine $200 million in security aid. On 24 January, NATO puts troops on standby. On 25 January, Russian exercises involving 6,000 troops and 60 jets take place in Russia near Ukraine, and Crimea. On 10 February, Russia and Belarus begin 10 days of military manoeuvres. On 17 February, fighting escalates in separatist regions of eastern Ukraine.

February 2022

See also: List of military engagements during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine and 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine

21 February

At 22:35 (UTC+3), Russian president Vladimir Putin announced that Russia recognizes the independence of two pro-Russian breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine. This leads to a first round of economic sanctions from NATO countries the following day.

24 February

See also: Attack on Snake Island, Battle of Antonov Airport, Battle of Chernihiv, Battle of Kharkiv (2022), Battle of Konotop (2022), Battle of Sumy, Kherson offensive, and Kyiv offensive (2022)

Structure in Kyiv hit by a missile fragment, 24 February

Shortly before 06:00 Moscow Time (UTC+3) on 24 February, Putin announced that he had made the decision to launch a "special military operation" in eastern Ukraine. In his address, Putin claimed there were no plans to occupy Ukrainian territory and that he supported the right of the peoples of Ukraine to self-determination. Putin also stated that Russia sought the "demilitarisation and denazification" of Ukraine. He said that "all responsibility for possible bloodshed will be entirely on the conscience of the regime ruling on the territory of Ukraine." The Russian Ministry of Defence asked air traffic control units of Ukraine to stop flights, and the airspace over Ukraine was restricted to non-civilian air traffic, and the whole area was deemed an active conflict zone by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency.

Within minutes of Putin's announcement, explosions were reported in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odessa, and the Donbas. Ukrainian officials said that Russia had landed troops in Mariupol and Odessa and launched cruise and ballistic missiles at airfields, military headquarters, and military depots in Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Dnipro. Military vehicles entered Ukraine through Senkivka, at the point where Ukraine meets Belarus and Russia, at around 6:48 am local time. A video captured Russian troops entering Ukraine from Russian-annexed Crimea.

The Kremlin planned to initially target artillery and missiles at command and control centres and then send fighter jets and helicopters to quickly gain air superiority. The Center for Naval Analyses said that Russia would create a pincer movement to encircle Kyiv and envelop Ukraine's forces in the east, with the Center for Strategic and International Studies identifying three axes of advance: from Belarus in the north, from Donetsk, and from Crimea in the south. The US said it believed that Russia intended to "decapitate" Ukraine's government and install their own, with US intelligence officials believing that Kyiv would fall within 96 hours given circumstances on the ground.

According to former Ukrainian Deputy Minister of Internal affairs, Anton Herashchenko, now serving as an official government advisor, just after 06:30 (UTC+2), Russian forces were invading via land near the city of Kharkiv and large-scale amphibious landings were reported in the city of Mariupol. At 07:40, troops were also entering the country from Belarusian territory. The Ukrainian Border Force reported attacks on sites in Luhansk Oblast, Sumy Oblast, Kharkiv Oblast, Chernihiv Oblast, and Zhytomyr Oblast, as well as from Crimea. The Ukrainian interior ministry reported that Russian forces captured the villages of Horodyshche and Milove in Luhansk. The Ukrainian Centre for Strategic Communication reported that the Ukrainian army repelled an attack near Shchastia (near Luhansk) and retook control of the town, claiming nearly 50 casualties from the Russian side.

Shortly before 07:00 (UTC+2), Zelenskyy announced the introduction of martial law in Ukraine. Zelenskyy also announced that Russia–Ukraine relations were being severed, effective immediately. Russian missiles targeted Ukrainian infrastructure, including Boryspil International Airport, Ukraine's largest airport, 29 km (18 mi) east of Kyiv.

Scenes in eastern Ukraine during the invasion

At 10:00 (UTC+2), it was reported during the briefing of the Ukrainian presidential administration that Russian troops had invaded Ukraine from the north (up to 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) south of the border). Russian troops were said to be active in Kharkiv Oblast, in Chernihiv Oblast, and near Sumy. Zelenskyy's press service also reported that Ukraine had repulsed an attack in Volyn Oblast. At 10:30 (UTC+2), the Ukrainian Defence Ministry reported that Russian troops in Chernihiv Oblast had been stopped, a major battle near Kharkiv was in progress, and Mariupol and Shchastia had been fully reclaimed.

In the Battle of Antonov Airport, Russian airborne troops seized the Hostomel Airport in Hostomel, a suburb of Kyiv, after being transported by helicopters early in the morning; a Ukrainian counteroffensive to recapture the airport was launched later in the day. The Rapid Response Brigade of the Ukrainian National Guard stated that it had fought at the airfield, shooting down three of 34 Russian helicopters.

Because Belarus allowed Russian troops to invade Ukraine from the north, at 11:00 (UTC+2), Ukrainian border guards reported a border breach in Vilcha Oblast (Kyiv Oblast), and border guards in Zhytomyr Oblast were bombarded by Russian rocket launchers (presumably BM-21 Grad). A helicopter without markings reportedly bombed Slavutych border guards position from Belarus. At 11:30 (UTC+2), a second wave of Russian missile bombings targeted the cities of Kyiv, Odessa, Kharkiv, and Lviv. Heavy ground fighting was reported in the Donetsk Oblast and Luhansk Oblasts.

By 12:04 (UTC+2), Russian troops advancing from Crimea moved towards the city of Nova Kakhovka in Kherson Oblast. Later that day, Russian troops entered the city of Kherson and took control of the North Crimean Canal, which would allow them to resume water supplies for the peninsula.

File:Battle of Konotop 06.jpg

A destroyed APC from the Battle of Konotop

At 13:00 and 13:19 (UTC+2), Ukrainian border guards and Armed Forces reported two new clashes—near Sumy ("in the direction of Konotop") and Starobilsk (in Luhansk Oblast). At 13:32 (UTC+2), Valerii Zaluzhnyi reported four ballistic missiles launched from the territory of Belarus in a southwestern direction. Several stations of Kyiv Metro and Kharkiv Metro were used as bomb shelters for the local population. A local hospital in Vuhledar (Donetsk Oblast) was reported to have been bombed with four civilians dead and 10 wounded (including 6 physicians).

At 16:00 (UTC+2), Zelenskyy said that fighting between Russian and Ukrainian forces had erupted in the ghost cities of Chernobyl and Pripyat. By around 18:20 (UTC+2), the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant was under Russian control, as were the surrounding areas.

At 16:18 (UTC+2), Vitali Klitschko, the mayor of Kyiv, proclaimed a curfew lasting from 22:00 to 07:00.

At 22:00 (UTC+2), the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine announced that Russian forces had captured Snake Island following a naval and air bombardment of the island. All thirteen border guards on the island were assumed to have been killed in the bombardment, after refusing to surrender to a Russian warship; a recording of the guards refusing an offer to surrender went viral on social media. President Zelenskyy announced that the presumed-dead border guards would be posthumously granted the title of Hero of Ukraine, the country's highest honour. Seventeen civilians were confirmed killed, including thirteen killed in Southern Ukraine, three in Mariupol, and one in Kharkiv. Zelenskyy stated that 137 Ukrainian citizens (both soldiers and civilians) died on the first day of the invasion.

Shortly after 23:00 (UTC+2), President Zelenskyy ordered a general mobilisation of all Ukrainian males between 18 and 60 years old; for the same reason, Ukrainian males from that age group were banned from leaving Ukraine.

25 February

See also: Battle of Kharkiv (2022), Battle of Kyiv (2022), Battle of Mariupol (2022), Battle of Starobilsk, Kherson offensive, Kyiv offensive (2022), and Millerovo air base attack

"Kyiv Tense as Russian Forces Advance", video news report from Voice of America

Around 04:00 (UTC+2) local time, Kyiv was rocked with two explosions from cruise and ballistic missiles. The Ukrainian government said that it had shot down an enemy aircraft over Kyiv, which then crashed into a residential building, setting it on fire. It was later confirmed that the aircraft was a Ukrainian Su-27.

Independent military analysts noted that Russian forces in the north of the country appeared to have been heavily engaged by the Ukrainian military. Russian units were attempting to encircle Kyiv and advance into Kharkiv but were bogged down in heavy fighting, with social media images suggesting that some Russian armoured columns had been ambushed. In contrast, Russian operations in the east and south were more effective. The best trained and equipped Russian units were positioned outside Donbas in the southeast and appeared to have manoeuvred around the prepared defensive trenches and attacked in the rear of Ukrainian defensive positions. Meanwhile, Russian military forces advancing from Crimea were divided into two columns, with analysts suggesting that they may have been attempting to encircle and entrap the Ukrainian defenders at Donbas, forcing the Ukrainians to abandon their prepared defences and fight in the open.

On the morning of 25 February, Zelenskyy accused Russia of targeting civilian sites; Ukrainian Interior Ministry representative Vadym Denysenko said that 33 civilian sites had been hit in the previous 24 hours.

Ukraine's Defence Ministry stated that Russian forces had entered the district of Obolon, Kyiv, and were approximately 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) from the Verkhovna Rada building. Some Russian forces had entered northern Kyiv, but had not progressed beyond that. Russia's Spetsnaz troops infiltrated the city with the intention of "hunting" government officials. A Russian-made tank was filmed crushing a civilian car in northern Kyiv, veering across the road to crush it. The car driver, an elderly man, survived and was helped out by locals.

An apartment block in Kyiv (Oleksandr Koshyts Street) after shelling, 25 February

The mayor of Horlivka in the Russian-backed Donetsk People's Republic reported that a munition fired by the Ukrainian military hit a local school building, killing two teachers.

As Russian troops approached Kyiv, Zelenskyy asked residents to prepare Molotov cocktails to "neutralise" the enemy. Putin meanwhile called on the Ukrainian military to overthrow the government. Ukraine distributed 18,000 guns to Kyiv residents who expressed a willingness to fight and deployed the Territorial Defence Forces, the reserve component of the Ukrainian military, for the defence of Kyiv. The Defence Ministry also announced that all Ukrainian civilians were eligible to volunteer for military service regardless of their age.

By the evening, the Pentagon stated that Russia had not established air supremacy of Ukrainian airspace, which US analysts had predicted would happen quickly after hostilities began. Ukrainian air defence capabilities had been degraded by Russian attacks, but remained operational. Military aircraft from both nations continued to fly over Ukraine. The Pentagon also said that Russian troops were also not advancing as quickly as either US intelligence or Moscow believed they would, that Russia had not taken any population centres, and that Ukrainian command and control was still intact. The Pentagon warned that Russia had sent into Ukraine only 30 per cent of the 150,000–190,000 troops it had massed at the border.

Reports circulated of a Ukrainian missile attack against the Millerovo air base in Russia, to prevent the base being used to provide air support to Russian troops in Ukraine.

Zelenskyy indicated that the Ukrainian government was not "afraid to talk about neutral status". On the same day, President Putin indicated to Xi Jinping, the Chinese paramount leader and general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party, that "Russia is willing to conduct high-level negotiations with Ukraine".

26 February

See also: Battle of Kyiv (2022), Battle of Mykolaiv, Battle of Vasylkiv, Kherson offensive, and Kyiv offensive (2022)

Apartment block in Kyiv (Valeriy Lobanovskyi Avenue) struck by a missile, 26 February

Apartment block in Kharkiv partially destroyed by a missile, 26 February

At 00:00 (UTC), heavy fighting was reported to the south of Kyiv, near the city of Vasylkiv and its air base. The Ukrainian General Staff claimed that a Ukrainian Su-27 fighter had shot down a Russian Il-76 transport plane carrying paratroopers near the city. Vasylkiv mayor Natalia Balasinovich said her city had been successfully defended by Ukrainian forces and the fighting was ending.

Around 03:00, more than 48 explosions in 30 minutes were reported around Kyiv, as the Ukrainian military was reported to be fighting near the CHP-6 power station in the northern neighbourhood of Troieshchyna. BBC News reported the attack may be an attempt to cut off electricity to the city. Heavy fighting was reported near the Kyiv Zoo and the Shuliavka neighbourhood. Early on 26 February, the Ukrainian military said it had repelled a Russian attack on an army base located on Peremohy Avenue, a main road in Kyiv; it also claimed to have repelled a Russian assault on the city of Mykolaiv on the Black Sea. American officials said a Russian Il-76 transport plane had been shot down by Ukrainian forces near Bila Tserkva, about 80 kilometres (50 mi) south of Kyiv. President Zelenskyy, remaining in Kyiv, had refused US offers of evacuation, instead requesting more ammunition for Ukrainian troops.

Hundreds of casualties were reported during overnight fighting in Kyiv, where shelling destroyed an apartment building, bridges, and schools. At 11:00, the Ukrainian General Staff reported that its aircraft had conducted 34 sorties in the past 24 hours, indicating that Russia had continued to, unexpectedly, fail to gain air superiority.

By the afternoon, most of the Russian forces that had amassed around Ukraine were fighting in the country. Mayor Vitaly Klitschko of Kyiv imposed a curfew from 5 p.m. Saturday until 8 a.m. Monday, warning that anyone outside during that time would be considered enemy sabotage and reconnaissance groups. Internet connections were disrupted in parts of Ukraine, particularly in the south and east. In response to a request from Mykhailo Fedorov, the Vice-Prime Minister of Ukraine, Elon Musk announced that he had turned on his Starlink service in Ukraine, with "more terminals en route".

"Solemn Kyiv Copes with Bombs, Gunfire", a video news report from Voice of America

Ukrainian Interior Ministry representative Vadym Denysenko stated that Russian forces had advanced further towards Enerhodar and the Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant. He stated that they were deploying Grad missiles there and warned that they may attack the plant. The Zaporizhia Regional State Administration stated that the Russian forces advancing on Enerhodar had later returned to Bolshaya Belozerka, a village located 30 kilometres (19 mi) from the city, on the same day.

A Japanese-owned cargo ship, the MV Namura Queen with 20 crew members onboard was struck by a Russian missile in the Black Sea. A Moldovan ship, MV Millennial Spirit, was also shelled by a Russian warship, causing serious injuries.

Ramzan Kadyrov, the head of the Chechen Republic, confirmed that the Kadyrovtsy, units loyal to the Chechen Republic, had been deployed into Ukraine as well. Oleksiy Danilov, the Secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, stated that members of Russia's Federal Security Service had tipped off Ukraine that Kadyrovtsy were attempting to infiltrate Kyiv and assassinate President Zelensky. Danilov stated that the Kadyrovtsy had split into two groups, with one destroyed by Ukrainian forces.

A six-year-old boy was killed and multiple others were wounded when artillery fire hit the Okhmatdyt Children's Hospital in Kyiv. The Ukrainian military claimed to have blown up a convoy of 56 tankers in Chernihiv Oblast carrying diesel for Russian forces.

By the end of the day, Russian forces had failed in their attempts to encircle and isolate Kyiv, despite mechanised and airborne attacks. The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Russia had committed its operational northern reserve of 17 battalion tactical groups (BTGs) after Ukrainian forces halted the advance of 14 BTGs to the north of Kyiv. Russia temporarily abandoned attempts to seize Chernihiv and Kharkiv after attacks were repelled by determined Ukrainian resistance, and bypassed those cities to continue towards Kyiv. In the south, Russia took Berdiansk and threatened to encircle Mariupol.

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said that poor planning and execution was leading to morale and logistical issues for the Russian military in northern Ukraine. US and UK officials reported that Russian forces faced shortages of gasoline and diesel fuel, leading to tanks and armoured vehicles stalling and slowing their advance. Videos also emerged online of Russian tanks and armoured personnel carriers, or APCs, stranded on the roadside. Russia continued to not use its full arsenal; the ISW said this was likely to avoid the diplomatic and public relations consequences of mass civilian casualties, as well as to avoid creating rubble that would impede the advance of its own forces.

27 February

Equipment of Russian sabotage and reconnaissance group captured in Odessa Oblast

See also: Battle of Kharkiv (2022), Battle of Kyiv (2022), Battle of Sumy, Kherson offensive, and Kyiv offensive (2022)

Overnight, a gas pipeline outside Kharkiv was reported to have been blown up by a Russian attack, while an oil depot in the village of Kriachky near Vasylkiv ignited after being hit by missiles. Heavy fighting near the Vasylkiv air base prevented firefighters from tackling the blaze. Also at night, it was reported that a group of Ukrainian Roma (Gypsies) had seized a Russian tank in Liubymivka, close to Kakhovka, in the Kherson Oblast. Furthermore, the Presidential Office stated that Zhuliany Airport was also bombed. Russian-backed separatists in Luhansk province said that an oil terminal in the town of Rovenky was hit by a Ukrainian missile. The State Emergency Service of Ukraine rescued 80 people from a nine-story residential building in Kharkiv after Russian artillery hit the building, extensively damaging it and killing a woman.

Nova Kakhovka's mayor, Vladimir Kovalenko, confirmed that the city had been seized by Russian troops, and he accused them of destroying the settlements of Kozatske and Vesele. Russian troops also entered Kharkiv, with fighting taking place in the city streets, including in the city centre. At the same time, Russian tanks started pushing into Sumy. Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry announced that Russian forces had completely surrounded Kherson and Berdiansk, in addition to capturing Henichesk and Kherson International Airport in Chernobaevka. By the early afternoon, Kharkiv Oblast governor Oleh Synyehubov stated that Ukrainian forces had regained full control of Kharkiv, and Ukrainian authorities said that dozens of Russian troops in the city had surrendered. Hennadiy Matsegora, the mayor of Kupiansk, later agreed to hand over control of the city to Russian forces.

Putin ordered Russian nuclear forces on a high alert, a "special regime of combat duty", in response to what he called "aggressive statements" by NATO members. This statement was met with harsh criticism from NATO, the EU, and the United Nations (UN); NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg described it as being "dangerous and irresponsible", while UN official Stéphane Dujarric called the idea of a nuclear war "inconceivable".

According to the intelligence analyst firm Rochan Consulting, Russia had been able to connect Crimea with areas in eastern Ukraine held by pro-Russian forces by besieging Mariupol and Berdiansk. Oleksiy Arestovych, an advisor to President Zelenskyy, stated that Berdiansk had been captured by Russian forces. The main Russian force from the Crimea was advancing north towards Zaporizhzhia, while a Russian force on the east bank of the Dnipro threatened Mykolaiv.

Russian forces were pushed back in Bucha and Irpin to the north-west of Kyiv. According to UK military intelligence, Russian mechanised forces had bypassed Chernihiv as they moved towards Kyiv. Luhansk Oblast governor Serhiy Haidai accused Russian forces of destroying Stanytsia Luhanska and Shchastia before capturing them, while Donetsk Oblast governor Pavlo Kyrylenko also accused them of destroying Volnovakha.

The ISW said that Russian forces in northern Ukraine had likely conducted an "operational pause" starting the previous day in order to deploy additional forces and supplies; Russian military resources not previously part of the invasion force were being moved toward Ukraine in anticipation of a more difficult conflict than initially expected.

28 February

See also: Battle of Kyiv (2022), Battle of Zaporizhzhia, Kherson offensive, Kyiv offensive (2022), Okhtyrka vacuum bomb attack, Zhytomyr Airport attack, and Siege of Enerhodar

File:Chernihiv, 28.02.2022 - State Emergency Service of Ukraine.webm

Ruins in Chernihiv after Russian shelling on 28 February

File:Russian shelling of Kharkiv, 28 February 2022.webm

Russian shelling of Kharkiv on 28 February

Fighting took place around Mariupol throughout the night. On the morning of 28 February, the UK defence ministry said that most Russian ground forces remained over 30 km (19 mi) north of Kyiv, having been slowed by Ukrainian resistance at Hostomel Airport. It also said that fighting was taking place near Chernihiv and Kharkiv, and that both cities remained under Ukrainian control. Maxar Technologies released satellite images that showed a Russian column, including tanks and self-propelled artillery, travelling toward Kyiv near Ivankiv. The firm initially stated that the convoy was approximately 27 kilometres (17 mi) long, but clarified later that day that the column was actually more than 64 kilometres (40 mi) in length.

The Times reported that the Wagner Group had been redeployed from Africa to Kyiv, with orders to assassinate Zelenskyy during the first days of the Russian invasion.

Ukrainian advisor Oleksiy Arestovych claimed that more than 200 Russian military vehicles had been destroyed or damaged on the highway between Irpin and Zhytomyr by 14:00 EET. Ihor Terekhov, the mayor of Kharkiv, stated that nine civilians were killed and 37 were wounded due to Russian shelling on the city during the day. Oksana Markarova, the Ukrainian ambassador to the US, accused Russia of using a vacuum bomb.

Talks between Ukrainian and Russian representatives in Gomel, Belarus, ended without a breakthrough. As a condition for ending the invasion, Putin demanded Ukraine's neutrality, "denazification" and "demilitarisation", and recognition of Crimea as Russian territory.

Russia increased strikes on Ukrainian airfields and logistics centres, particularly in the west, in an apparent attempt to ground the Ukrainian air force and disrupt resupply from nations to the west. In the north, the ISW called the decision to use heavy artillery in Kharkiv "a dangerous inflection". Additional Russian forces and logistics columns in southern Belarus appeared to be manoeuvring to support a Kyiv assault. An analyst with the Royal United Services Institute stated that the Ukrainian regular army is no longer functioning in formations but in largely fixed defences, and was increasingly integrated with Territorial Defense Forces and armed volunteers.

March 2022

1 March

A downtown street in Kharkiv after Russian bombardment

See also: Battle of Kharkiv (2022), Battle of Kyiv (2022), Eastern Ukraine offensive, Kherson offensive, and Kyiv offensive (2022)

According to Dmytro Zhyvytskyi, the governor of Sumy Oblast, more than 70 Ukrainian soldiers had been killed during Russian shelling of a military base in Okhtyrka. A Russian missile later hit the regional administration building on Freedom Square during a bombardment of Kharkiv, killing at least ten civilians, and wounding 35 others. In southern Ukraine, the city of Kherson was reported to be under attack by Russian forces. The Ukrainian government announced that it would sell war bonds to fund its armed forces.

The Ukrainian parliament stated that the Armed Forces of Belarus had joined Russia's invasion and were in Chernihiv Oblast, northeast of the capital. UNIAN reported that a column of 33 military vehicles had entered the region. The US disagreed with these claims, saying that there was "no indication" that Belarus had invaded. Hours prior, Belarus's president Lukashenko said that Belarus would not join the war.

After Russia's Defense Ministry announced that it would hit targets to stop "information attacks", missiles struck broadcasting infrastructure for the primary television and radio transmitters in Kyiv, taking TV channels off the air. Ukrainian officials said that the attack killed five people and damaged the nearby Babyn Yar Holocaust Memorial Center, Ukraine's main Holocaust memorial.

An official from the US Department of Defense stated that Russian forces had captured Berdiansk and Melitopol.

2 March

See also: Battle of Kharkiv (2022), Battle of Kherson, Horlivka offensive (2022), Siege of Enerhodar, and Siege of Mariupol

The Ukrainian military reported a Russian paratrooper assault on northwest Kharkiv, where a military hospital came under attack. Zhyvytskyi stated that Russian forces had captured Trostianets after entering it at 01:03.

Ukrainian advisor Oleksiy Arestovych stated that the Ukrainian forces had gone on the offensive for the first time during the war, advancing towards Horlivka. Russia claimed to have captured Kherson, though Arestovych denied their claim. It was later confirmed by Ihor Kolykhaiev, the mayor of Kherson, that the city had fallen.

Valerii Zaluzhnyi, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, stated that Ukrainian forces had recaptured Makariv. Vadym Boychenko, the mayor of Mariupol, reported that the residential areas in the city were being "relentlessly" shelled by the Russian military, with "scores of" casualties among civilians.

The Bangladeshi bulk carrier Banglar Samriddhi was struck by a missile at 17:25 at the port of Olvia in Mykolaiv Oblast, setting it on fire and killing a Bangladeshi engineer.

A US report cites unnamed high-ranking Chinese officials claiming that Russia was told by China to not start an invasion before the end of the 2022 Winter Olympics on February 20; this was subsequently called speculation by Chinese spokepersons. According to a VK post picked up by some Russian and Ukrainian media outlets, a top Russian officer, Major General Andrey Sukhovetsky, deputy commander of the 41st Combined Arms Army of the Central Military District, was killed in unspecified circumstances in Ukraine.

Ukrayinska Pravda reported that Ukrainian intelligence sources believed that Viktor Yanukovych, a former president of Ukraine with pro-Russia sympathies ousted following the Revolution of Dignity, was in Minsk, Belarus, and that it was Russia's intention to declare him as president in the event of Russian forces gaining control of Kyiv.

Sergey Lavrov, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, accused the NATO and the EU of wanting to start a nuclear war and warned that "World War III would be nuclear and destructive".

3 March

The Estonian cargo ship Helt was sunk by a mine in the Black Sea, 16 nautical miles from the Port of Odessa. Six crew members aboard the Estonian ship were taken to the hospital after drifting in the sea for hours. Ukrainian president Zelenskyy asked to hold direct talks with Russian President Putin, saying that they are "the only way to stop this war".

See also

• Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation – 2014 annexation of territory
• Cities and towns during the Russo-Ukrainian War
• International recognition of the Donetsk People's Republic and the Luhansk People's Republic
• Post-Soviet conflicts
• Second Cold War – Term referring to heightened tensions in the 21st century
• War in Donbas – 2014–2022 war between Ukraine and Russia