Key date at a glance
The Russian state launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022. This marked the start of the large-scale war phase in an enduring conflict with roots in 2014 and earlier. The invasion was preceded by months of military buildup, diplomacy, and public messaging. Below is a verified timeline and set of durable facts to clarify what “start date” means in this ongoing war.
Why there is no single simple start date
Journalally and legally, “the start of the war on Ukraine” can refer to multiple moments, depending on whether you are tracking combat operations, political decisions, humanitarian impact, or legal definitions. Broadly, the timeline falls into four overlapping phases:
- 2014: Russia’s annexation of Crimea and the outbreak of armed conflict in eastern Donbas.
- 2014–2022: Sustained low-intensity conflict along the line of contact, with periodic escalations.
- 2021–22: Russian military build-up and political demands that framed the threat of large-scale invasion.
- 24 February 2022: Russia launched a multi-axis full-scale invasion, rapidly expanding the conflict across Ukraine.
2014 as the start of the sustained war in Donbas and Crimea
After Ukraine’s Euromaidan political transition in late 2013–2014, Russia moved to annex Crimea and supported separatist armed groups in Donetsk and Luhansk. Fighting between Ukrainian forces and Russian-backed groups began in April 2014. While not a large-scale conventional invasion, this marked the start of a sustained war in eastern Ukraine and the effective occupation of Crimea, forming the enduring conflict baseline used by many analysts.
Key facts from 2014
| Attribute | Verified detail | Source type |
|---|---|---|
| Crimea annexation | Completed in March 2014 after a rapid political and military process widely not recognized internationally | Government and international assessments |
| Conflict in Donbas | Started April 2014; over 14,000 documented casualties before 2022 | UN and conflict monitoring reports |
2021–2022: From crisis escalation to invasion planning
In early 2021, Russia conducted a major military build-up near Ukraine’s borders and engaged in coercive diplomacy, demanding security guarantees that would restrict NATO’s future operations. Throughout late 2021, satellite imagery, troop sightings, and diplomatic signals indicated that large-scale operations were being prepared. On 21–22 February 2022, Russia recognized the self-declared separatist republics in Donetsk and Luhansk and sent troops there under the guise of peacekeeping, a step widely seen as a pretext for wider invasion.
24 February 2022: Launch of full-scale invasion
In the early hours of 24 February 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a ‘special military operation’ and launched missile strikes and ground operations across multiple directions: north from Belarus toward Kyiv, east from Crimea and Donbas, south from occupied territories in Kherson and toward Zaporizhzhia, and northeast toward Kharkiv. This was a significant escalation from the 2014–2022 conflict, involving combined arms, long-range fires, and attempts to seize major urban centers. It triggered one of Europe’s fastest and largest refugee and humanitarian responses in decades.
International legal and policy context
The United Nations General Assembly passed multiple resolutions rejecting Russia’s annexation and recognizing Ukraine’s territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. Many states treat the 24 February 2022 invasion as the start of a war of aggression under international law. Security Council action was blocked by Russia’s veto, reinforcing debates about accountability and enforcement mechanisms.
Comparative timeline at a glance
| Date or Period | Event | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Crimea annexed; Donbas conflict begins | Start of sustained war in Ukraine, displacement, and humanitarian impact |
| 2014–2022 | Low-intensity conflict along the line of contact | Kept war active and set conditions for escalation |
| Late 2021–21 Feb 2022 | Massive Russian build-up and recognition of Donetsk/Luhansk | Signaled imminent escalation and created legal-political pretext |
| 24 Feb 2022 | Full-scale Russian invasion launched | Start of large-scale conventional war, widespread civilian impact, international military and humanitarian response |
Common questions and misconceptions
- Did the war start in 2014? Yes, in terms of active conflict in Donbas and Crimea, but the large-scale invasion widely referred to in global media and policy began on 24 February 2022.
- Was there a single decision date? The decision to launch a large-scale invasion appears to have been finalized in late January–early February 2022, with the public launch on 24 February 2022.
- Does recognizing Donetsk and Luhansk on 21 Feb 2022 equate to starting the war? It was a critical escalation and legal pretext, but overt cross-border operations began on 24 February 2022.
How to keep this timeline accurate over time
Because this conflict is active, new information and differing interpretations will continue to emerge. For an evergreen explainer, anchor dates to verifiable events (e.g., 24 February 2022 launch; 2014 Crimea/Donbas start) and clearly separate these from analyses, policy arguments, and evolving assessments. Use multiple authoritative sources—intergovernmental investigations, court documents, and major newsroom reporting with corrections policies—to maintain accuracy.
Bottom line
There are two widely referenced start moments: the ongoing war in Donbas and Crimea beginning in 2014, and the full-scale invasion that began on 24 February 2022. For most global audiences and policy discussions, 24 February 2022 is treated as the start of the large-scale war on Ukraine, while acknowledging earlier conflict as a direct and continuous background.