Russia-Ukraine War
Russia and Ukraine are locked in an retaliatory long-range drone and missile war that now strikes deep into both countries, including Moscow, St. Petersburg, Crimea, and major Ukrainian cities like Kyiv and Dnipro.
Ukrainian forces launched one of their largest drone attacks on June 26, striking 12 Russian regions and hitting key energy targets, while Russia continues massive retaliatory bombardments that kill civilians and destroy infrastructure.
The conflict is now centered on degrading each side's war capacity—particularly Russia's oil-refining and fuel-supply systems—rather than shifting front lines, with Ukrainian strikes causing widespread gasoline rationing across two-thirds of Russia.
Ceasefire efforts remain fractured after President Zelenskyy's June 4 proposal was rejected by Putin, as the widening strike pattern has heightened civilian casualties, disrupted fuel supplies, and raised risks near nuclear facilities like Chornobyl.
The war between Russia and Ukraine grew from the post-Soviet struggle over Ukraine's independence and Moscow's long effort to keep it within its strategic sphere.
Tensions intensified as Ukraine moved toward European and Euro-Atlantic institutions, which Russian leaders viewed as a threat to their influence and security. Open warfare erupted in 2014 with Russia's annexation of Crimea and the separatist conflict in Donbas; the Minsk peace process failed to resolve core disputes over territory, sovereignty, and security.
By 2022, Russia had amassed large forces near Ukraine's borders, recognized the self-declared Donetsk and Luhansk republics, and launched a full-scale invasion. Initial Russian advances on Kyiv were halted, and Ukraine retaked significant territory in Kharkiv.
Russia then annexed four eastern and southern oblasts, deepening the conflict into a protracted war of attrition that has now entered its fifth year.
Timeline
Vladimir Putin
Russian president directing the war and Moscow's negotiating position, dismissing ceasefire proposals.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Ukrainian president leading the country's defense and diplomacy, proposing bilateral meetings to end the war.
Oleksandr Syrskyi
Commander-in-chief of Ukraine's armed forces overseeing military operations and drone campaigns.
Russian Ministry of Defense
The Russian body issuing official military claims, drone interception counts, and strike announcements.
Ukrainian Armed Forces
Ukraine's military force executing massive long-range drone strikes on Russian energy and logistics targets.
Oleksiy Kuleba
Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister coordinating diplomatic efforts, humanitarian missions, and naval evacuations.
International Atomic Energy Agency
UN nuclear watchdog monitoring safety concerns near Chornobyl after drone incidents.
European Union
Bloc shaping sanctions policy and broader support for Ukraine's defense.
- •Ukraine seeks to raise the cost of Russia's invasion by striking military, energy, and electronics targets inside Russia while preserving international support.
- •Russia aims to maintain control over annexed territories and force Ukraine to accept Russian security demands and territorial claims.
Ukrainian view
Kyiv says its strikes on Russian refineries, logistics hubs, and military electronics plants are meant to raise the cost of the invasion and weaken the systems that sustain Russian attacks. Ukrainian officials also frame Russian attacks on cities and infrastructure as proof that Moscow is still relying on force rather than meaningful negotiation.
Russian view
Moscow describes Ukrainian drone raids deep inside Russia and occupied territory as escalation and says its own strikes are responses aimed at military or strategic targets. Russian officials continue to insist that any settlement must recognize Russia's territorial claims and security demands, dismissing Zelenskyy's ceasefire proposal.
Western view
Western governments and observers see the war increasingly defined by long-range strikes on energy, transport, and defense industry sites rather than only front-line combat. They also view attacks around Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Chornobyl as signs that the conflict is becoming harder to contain even as ceasefire efforts continue.
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