- Russia's full-scale invasion began February 24, 2022.
- Ukraine repelled initial assault, leading to atrocities.
- War evolved into prolonged trench warfare with heavy casualties.
Russia-Ukraine War Enters Fourth Year: Ukrainians have now lived with four years of war. They have lost limbs, loved ones, livelihoods and homes, but not hope. The photos taken after Russia’s full-scale invasion changed their lives.
Here's are the key facts of Russia-Ukraine war
1. Invasion Launch: Russia initiated a full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022, with goals to swiftly capture Kyiv.
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2. Ukrainian Resistance And Atrocities: Ukraine repelled the assault on the capital through determined defence and international support; mass graves and evidence of atrocities emerged, leading to widespread war crime allegations against Russian forces.
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3. Shift To East And South: Russia refocused efforts on Donbas and southern regions, capturing Mariupol after a brutal siege; the war turned into prolonged attritional fighting with heavy artillery, missiles, and drone use.
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4. Major Ukrainian Counteroffensives: Ukraine reclaimed significant territory in Kharkiv Oblast and liberated Kherson city; a larger 2023 counteroffensive made limited gains against fortified Russian defences.
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5. Stalemate And Attrition: Fighting settled into trench warfare along a nearly 1,000 km front; Russia made slow, costly advances, while Ukraine conducted deep strikes into Russian territory.
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6. Kursk Incursion And Retake: Ukraine launched a surprise offensive into Russia's Kursk region, seizing territory temporarily; Russia largely retook the area by mid-2025.
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7. Massive Casualties: Russia has suffered nearly 1.2 million total casualties by late 2025, including up to nearly 3,25,000 killed; Ukraine reported nearly 55,000 soldiers killed by early 2026; civilian deaths exceed 15,000, with sharp rises last year.
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8. Intensified Strikes And Infrastructure War: Russia conducts large-scale missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian energy, water, and rail infrastructure; Ukraine targets Russian refineries, military sites, and uses long-range drones and missiles deep inside Russia.
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9. Diplomatic Efforts And No Resolution: US-brokered trilateral talks yield prisoner swaps and procedural steps but no breakthrough; core issues remain unresolved, with fighting continuing into 2026 amid attrition and no clear end in sight.
(CREDIT: REUTERS)