Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, launched on 24 February 2022, has become Europe's largest armed conflict since World War II. After initial rapid advances were repelled by Ukrainian forces, the conflict settled into a war of attrition along a roughly 1,000km front line.
Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, launched on 24 February 2022, has become Europe's largest armed conflict since World War II. After initial rapid advances were repelled by Ukrainian forces, the conflict settled into a war of attrition along a roughly 1,000km front line.
The front line has remained broadly static since late 2023, with both sides incurring heavy losses. Ukraine's 2023 counteroffensive made limited territorial gains. Russia's Zaporizhzhia and Kherson offensives similarly stalled. The conflict has increasingly featured drone warfare at industrial scale, with both sides deploying hundreds of FPV drones daily.
International support for Ukraine has been central to its ability to sustain the war effort. US, EU, and UK military and financial assistance has exceeded $250 billion. However, political shifts in Washington and war fatigue among some European allies have introduced uncertainty.