War chronology
Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine: A Diary
The image released by Russia’s state news agency Sputnik shows Russian soldiers on an armored vehicle on a road near the Russia-Ukraine border. Photo: Anton Vergun/Sputnik/dpa
© dpa-infocom GmbH
All diplomatic efforts failed to avert an invasion. Russia has attacked its sovereign neighbor. For days, the situation in Ukraine was getting worse and worse.
Diplomacy has failed: For a long time, various talk formats were used to prevent Moscow from invading Ukraine. With the invasion of its neighboring country, Russia has now created facts.
For years, Kremlin-backed separatists have fought Ukrainian government forces in eastern Ukraine. A review:
February 15
During his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, Chancellor Olaf Scholz again threatened far-reaching consequences in the event of military action against Ukraine. The Russian parliament (State Duma) is now calling on Putin to recognize the Ukrainian separatist areas as independent so-called people’s republics.
February 16
The NATO defense ministers approve preparations for sending more combat troops to the eastern alliance area. In addition to the previous associations in Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia and Poland, they could be stationed in Eastern and Southeastern Europe.
February 17th
US President Joe Biden warns of a Russian invasion “in the next few days” that the danger is “very high”. According to Western sources, Moscow has gathered about 150,000 soldiers on the border with Ukraine.
February 18th
The Moscow-loyal separatists in eastern Ukraine are calling on civilians to flee to neighboring Russia.
19th of February
The federal government is “urgently” calling on all Germans to leave Ukraine. Other countries are doing the same. Moscow is testing nuclear-capable missiles.
20. February
With appeals and threats of sanctions, leading Western politicians at the Munich Security Conference sharply warned the Kremlin of an attack.
21st of February
Putin recognizes the self-proclaimed People’s Republics of Luhansk and Donetsk as independent states, and the State Duma agrees the following day. Russian soldiers are to be sent to the eastern Ukrainian separatist areas. The West accuses the Kremlin chief of violating international law.
February 22nd
US, EU and allies impose sanctions on Russia. For example, Berlin is putting the Nord Stream 2 Baltic Sea gas pipeline on hold for an indefinite period. The sanctions are aimed, for example, at banks, business people and decision-makers who support Putin’s policies. The President himself is not on the list.
February 23
Ukraine is preparing for war: President Volodymyr Zelenskyj announces a partial mobilization of reservists and a 30-day state of emergency is declared. The separatist leaders in eastern Ukraine are asking the Kremlin for military aid. The US imposes sanctions on the Nord Stream 2 operating company.
February 24th
The large-scale war begins: Putin has Ukraine attacked from several directions. Tanks advance into the former Soviet republic, there are air raids all over the country. Selenskyj declares a state of war and orders general mobilization. NATO activates defense plans for Eastern Europe, but continues to rule out military support for Ukraine. The US and the EU are imposing extensive sanctions – for example against Russian banks, the aviation industry and the energy and technology sectors.
February 25th
The Russian army advances to Kiev. The United Nations estimates that 100,000 people have fled their homes. Moscow welcomes Zelenskyy’s offer to negotiate neutral status for Ukraine. Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov denies the democratic legitimacy of the elected government in Kiev.