The First Days of the War
February 24, 2022
Early in the morning, Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered a televised address to initiate a “special military operation” to “protect” the people of the Donetsk People’s Republic and the Luhansk People’s Republic. The goal of this operation would be to “demilitarize and denazify Ukraine” and prosecute those who committed “bloody crimes” against civilians, including against Russian citizens (Kremlin.ru). He urged the Ukrainian military to surrender their arms and return home.
As the speech concluded, Ukrainians were awoken by explosions in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa, and other cities (Kyiv Independent). Kyiv was hit with a series of blasts. Boryspil, its primary international airport, was struck with multiple missiles (CNN). Other airports were targeted in Kharkiv, Ozerne, Kulbakino, Chuhuiv, Kramatorsk and Chornobaivka (CNN). The other primary targets appeared to be military bases, but there was significant damage in numerous cities and oblasts.
President Zelensky posted a brief speech on social media, informing the public that he had spoken with US President Joe Biden and that the US had begun rallying international support. Zelensky declared martial law and said he would return with more information later. As the Russian invasion continued across Ukraine, air raid sirens sounded in Kyiv, and later in Lviv, Lutsk, and Chernivtsi (Kyiv Independent).
In the morning, Zelensky gave a televised speech saying that Russia was attacking Ukraine from three directions. He declared that Russia is on a “path of evil” and that it had struck in a “cunning way,” similar to Hitler in WWII (CNN).
Russian forces began heavily shelling Hostomel, which has an international cargo airport and testing facility near Kyiv (Kyiv Independent). Several hours later, the airport at Hostomel was attacked by about 34 Russian helicopters. Ukrainian forces were able to shoot down three of them (Kyiv Independent). By the evening of February 24, Ukrainian forces were able to recapture the airport.
Russian forces fired heavily on civilian areas in Mariupol using Smerch multiple-launch rocket systems (Kyiv Independent). Most of the injuries were not life-threatening but several people were killed (Kyiv Independent). The airport was damaged in the process.
Clashes continued in Shchastya in Luhansk Oblast and Sumy (Kyiv Independent). Later, Ukrainian forces used Javelin anti-tank missiles provided by the US to destroy 15 Russian tanks in Sumy (Kyiv Independent). The head of the Sumy government reported that the city of Konotop was surrounded by Russian forces, and multiple cities in the oblast were under attack (Kyiv Independent). The Russian military later established checkpoints along the Kyiv-Sumy highway and began checking documents (Kyiv Independent).
Russian forces advanced into the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone from Belarus and clashes began near the reactor (Kyiv Independent). Anton Herashchenko, an adviser to the Interior Minister, warned that shelling may disturb radioactive material currently underground (Kyiv Independent). Zelensky called Russian efforts to capture the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant “a declaration of war against all of Europe” (Kyiv Independent). Ukrainian media later reported that Russian forces had successfully captured the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant and taken its staff as hostages (Kyiv Independent).
Zelensky reported that the Ukrainian Armed Forces had halted Russia’s advances (Kyiv Independent). The Russian military continued to push through Kherson under air cover (Kyiv Independent). They captured the city of Henichevsk and the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant on their way (Kyiv Independent). The Ukrainian military conducted an organized defense in Southern Ukraine, with numerous battles in Kherson oblast.
Overnight, the Ukrainian Navy was reportedly engaged in a battle on the Black Sea defending Odesa and Chornomorsk. Combat and defenses continued in Dovzhanka, Kharkiv, and Okhtyrka (Kyiv Independent).
The US stated that they believed Russia is trying to “behead” the Zelensky administration and install a puppet-regime in its place (Kyiv Independent). In the early hours of the morning, a large military force was moving towards Kyiv and several explosions were reported in the area (Kyiv Independent).
February 25, 2022
Russian forces continued their invasion of Ukraine. Shelling and shooting took place in many areas of the country, with ground forces advancing in numerous places. But according to US officials, Russian forces may be facing more resistance than they were expecting (Reuters).
Heavy fighting took place around Kyiv throughout the day, particularly in the directions of Bucha, Hostomel, and Irpin (Kyiv Independent). Loud explosions were reported in the Obolon and Troeyshchyna areas of Kyiv, as well as near Kyiv’s Heat Power Plant-6 (Kyiv Independent). As Russian forces entered Obolon, the Defense Ministry of Ukraine urged residents to make Molotov cocktails (MoD).
Witnesses also reported shooting near the government quarter in central Kyiv (Kyiv Independent). US and Ukrainian officials maintain that Russian forces likely plan to encircle the capital and remove President Zelensky, who remains in Kyiv (Ukrainska Pravda).
Russian forces refused to let Red Cross workers into the village of Schastia in Luhansk oblast, which was mostly destroyed after a day of constant fighting (Luhansk Gov. Facebook).
Kharkiv was also shelled from many directions, forcing residents to stay in makeshift bomb shelters and metro tunnels (Kyiv Independent). This includes shelling in residential areas (Kyiv Independent). As of the evening, Russian forces were approaching the city from the border (Kyiv Independent).
Ukrainian and Russian forces clashed near Kherson in the South, as the invaders tried to pass through and continue toward Mykolaiv (Ukrainska Pravda).
The US, Canada, EU, and UK introduced new sanctions on Russia today, including on Putin himself (CNN). Sanctions have also targeted other Russian officials, elites, and their families (CNN).
February 26, 2022
Russia’s advance on Ukraine slowed on Saturday, pausing for a short time and then resuming from all directions. While Russia claimed this was a pause for negotiations, a NATO official argued that it is because the Russians are experiencing unanticipated problems, such as a lack of diesel and problems with morale among troops (CNN). Ukrainian forces have caused Russia to experience heavy losses in terms of personnel, armor, and aircraft (Kyiv Independent).
Two massive explosions struck near Vasylkiv, about 18 miles south of Kyiv. Fuel tanks were ignited and the fire raged at Vasylkiv Air Base (CNN). Explosions were detected in Kyiv, from the direction of Obolon, Bucha, and Hostomel (Kyiv Independent).
Fighting continues throughout the country. Heavy shelling and small arms fire took place in and around Mykolaiv in the South (CNN). Kharkiv remains under the control of Ukrainian forces but fighting and shelling in the area remains intense. Russian forces attacked a residential building in Kharkiv with unknown casualties (Kyiv Independent).
The US offered Ukrainian President Zelenskyy the chance to evacuate the country. He rejected this offer, saying “I need ammunition, not a ride.” US officials maintain that Zelenskyy is the “prime target for Russian aggression (CNN),” which echoes previous statements that Russia’s goal is to “behead the Ukrainian government” and install a Russian puppet-regime in its place.
Zelenskyy has asked Ukrainians once more to resist the invasion, and called on Ukrainians abroad to return home and defend their country. He invited international volunteers as well, and stated that “we will give you weapons” (CNN).
Ukrainian volunteers were seen on video attempting to block Russian tanks using their bodies, bicycles, and other materials (CNN).
Secretary of State Blinken authorized $350 million of additional military assistance to Ukraine. This will include “anti-armor and anti-aircraft systems,” according to another US official. Germany, as well as other countries, announced that it would deliver anti-tank weapons and missiles to Ukraine as well (CNN).
An EU official also “strongly condemned” attacks on civilian infrastructure by the Russian military. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal accused Russia of committing war crimes and stated that they would have to face a “military tribunal” (CNN).
The international hacking group Anonymous took credit for the hacking of Russian government sites, including those of the Kremlin and the Russian Ministry of Defense (CNN). Mykhailo Fedorov called for an “IT army” to aid Ukraine on “the cyber front” (Twitter).
Numerous countries have banned Russian airlines from their airspace, including Germany, Estonia, Romania, Lithuania, Latvia, and others. YouTube blocked RT in Ukraine and banned it from monetizing its content on the platform worldwide (CNN). Meta – the rebranded name of Facebook – did the same (CNN).
In a stunning move, the White House and EU announced the expulsion of certain Russian banks from SWIFT (CNN). They also said they would “prevent the Russian Central Bank” from using its international reserves to mitigate Western sanctions.
Nations around the world have illuminated their national landmarks in the colors of the Ukrainian flag (CNN). The national teams of Poland and Sweden have refused to play Russia in next month’s 2022 World Cup qualifier as well (AP).
February 27, 2022
Russian troops entered Kharkiv on Sunday and clashed with Ukrainian forces in the streets (CNN). Locals said there were enemy vehicles in numerous areas of the city, including downtown. Ukrainian forces were able to capture many Russian soldiers and saboteurs, as well as destroy cars and armored vehicles (Kyiv Independent).
Battles continued throughout Kyiv oblast. Many explosions were reported near the center of Kyiv and air raid sirens sounded. Ukrainian forces shot down a cruise missile fired at Kyiv from the territory of Belarus, which Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Ukraine’s highest military commander, described as “yet another war crime” perpetrated by Russia and Belarus (Kyiv Independent).
The Russian Navy captured two more Ukrainian civilian ships in the Black Sea, this time a tanker and a dry cargo ship. Fierce battles took place in and around Kherson. Police warned locals not to leave their towns, because Russian forces have opened fire at any and all civilian vehicles (Kyiv Independent). The General Staff of the Armed Forces also shared a video of a Russian convoy of trucks being destroyed from the air in Kherson oblast. They said that they did so using a Ukrainian, Turkish-made Bayraktar drone (Facebook).
On Monday, Ukrainian and Russian delegations will meet at the Ukrainian-Belarusian border for talks. President Zelenskyy and other Western leaders have expressed their skepticism about Putin’s sincerity. Zelenskyy, however, announced that if there was even a small chance these talks could make the war stop, he had to try (CNN).
US officials stated that Russian forces have continued to face “stiff resistance.” Their advances have slowed down in Northern Ukraine, while they have made a bit more progress in the South (CNN).
President Putin announced that Russia’s deterrent forces – including nuclear weapons – would be placed on high alert. White House press secretary Jen Psaki called this Putin’s latest step in a pattern of unprovoked escalation and “manufactured threats” (CNN).
Ukraine has filed a lawsuit against Russia in the International Court of Justice and requested an urgent decision (Twitter). Earlier in the day, President Zelenskyy and Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal accused Russian forces of “terror” and committing “war crimes” by targetting civillians, including children (CNN).
According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, nearly 400,000 Ukrainians have fled their homes since the full-scale invasion began. Wait times at the border can sometimes be longer than 60 hours (CNN).
Even more countries have offered additional military aid to Ukraine. In a sudden policy shift, Germany has announced that it will deliver 1,000 antitank weapons and 500 stinger missiles to Ukraine. The U.S. also allocated $350 million in new military assistance. Australia has also agreed to give lethal weapons, and France will send fuel and defensive equipment. The U.S. will also send nearly $54 million in humanitarian aid to Ukraine (CNN).
The EU and UK have officially closed their airspace to Russian planes, including “the private jets of oligarchs.” The EU also banned Russian state news outlets Russian Today and Sputnik (CNN).
Protests and prayer vigils have broken out across the world in support of Ukraine and asking leaders to stop Russia’s invasion.The Czech Republic has joined Poland and Sweden in refusing to play against Russia in qualifying matches for the 2022 World Cup, even at a neutral venue (CNN). England has also said they will not play Russia in any international football matches “for the foreseeable future” (Twitter).
In a stunning move, European Commission President Usula von der Leyen said that the European Union wants Ukraine to join its bloc. She stated that “there are so many topics where we work very closely together and indeed over time, they belong to us. They are one of us and we want them in” (Reuters).