2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine

The 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, also known as the Russo-Ukranian War, was a military conflict between the Russian Federation, Republic of Belarus and Ukraine. The war was an escalation of conflict and military invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation in response to being threatened by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the possibility of Ukraine joining the military alliance. On February 24, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" in Ukraine, after nearly a year of significant military buildup along the border. Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine became the focal point of attacks by both Russia and Belarus forces. By April of 2022, the Russian forces re positioned to the South and West where they captured Mariupol and planned to capture Odessa to cut off the agricultural arm of Ukraine.