Russia Launches Full-Scale Military Invasion of Ukraine from Multiple Fronts

Dawn Assault Across Multiple Fronts

KYIV, Ukraine - February 24, 2022 - Russian forces launched a full-scale military invasion of Ukraine at approximately 5:00 AM local time, attacking from three primary directions in what represents the most significant escalation of the eight-year conflict and the largest military action in Europe since 1945.

The assault began with missile and air strikes targeting military installations, airports, and infrastructure across Ukraine, followed by ground invasions from Russian territory and Russian-occupied Belarus.

Three-Front Attack

Northern Assault: Russian forces, supported by Belarusian territory, advanced toward Kyiv from multiple directions, with reports of fighting near Hostomel Airport and attempts to seize key bridges.

Eastern Front: Large-scale attacks launched from previously separatist-controlled Donetsk and Luhansk regions, expanding the conflict zone significantly beyond the previous line of contact.

Southern Campaign: Forces from Russian-occupied Crimea pushed north toward key port cities including Mariupol, Kherson, and toward the strategic city of Zaporizhzhia.

Presidential Address

In a pre-dawn television address, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced what he termed a “special military operation” to “demilitarize and denazify” Ukraine.

I have decided to conduct a special military operation. Its goal is to protect people who have been subjected to bullying and genocide by the Kyiv regime for eight years.

Putin warned other nations against interference, stating that Russia would respond immediately to any attempt to impede the operation.

Ukrainian Response

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky declared martial law across the country and called for international support.

Russia has launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. I call on all Ukrainians to remain calm. We are working, our army is working, our entire security and defense sector is working.

The Ukrainian government activated its territorial defense forces and called for all citizens to resist the invasion.

Initial Military Actions

Air Campaign: Russian forces targeted airports, military bases, and air defense systems across Ukraine in an apparent attempt to establish air superiority.

Naval Operations: Russian naval forces began operations in the Black Sea, with reports of landings along the southern coast.

Cyber Attacks: Significant cyber attacks disrupted Ukrainian government websites and communications infrastructure.

Border Crossings: Multiple reports of Russian ground forces crossing international borders at numerous points.

International Reaction

The invasion prompted immediate international condemnation and emergency diplomatic sessions:

NATO: Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg condemned the “unprovoked and unjustified attack” and called an emergency meeting of the alliance.

United Nations: UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for Putin to halt the invasion and return troops to Russia.

United States: President Biden denounced the “unprovoked and unjustified attack” and announced severe sanctions would follow.

European Union: EU leaders pledged “massive sanctions” and emergency aid for Ukraine.

Civilian Impact

The invasion immediately affected civilian populations across Ukraine:

Capital Under Attack: Explosions reported in Kyiv as air defenses engaged incoming missiles.

Mass Displacement: Civilians began fleeing border areas and major cities as fighting approached.

Infrastructure: Attacks on power plants and transportation hubs disrupted essential services.

Casualties: First reports of military and civilian casualties began emerging from multiple fronts.

Background to Escalation

The invasion followed months of military buildup and diplomatic tensions:

Troop Concentration: Russia had amassed over 150,000 troops along Ukraine’s borders since late 2021.

Failed Diplomacy: Multiple rounds of negotiations failed to resolve Russian demands regarding NATO expansion and Ukrainian neutrality.

Recognition of Separatist Regions: On February 21, Putin recognized the independence of Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics and ordered troops into these regions.

Global Market Impact

The invasion immediately sent shockwaves through global markets:

Energy Prices: Oil and gas prices surged to multi-year highs.

Stock Markets: Major indices fell sharply as investors fled to safe-haven assets.

Commodities: Wheat and other agricultural commodity prices spiked due to Ukraine’s role as a major exporter.

Currency: The Russian ruble plummeted while safe-haven currencies strengthened.

Military Analysis

Defense analysts noted several characteristics of the Russian operation:

Scale: The largest military operation in Europe since World War II, involving estimated 150,000+ troops.

Objectives: Apparent goals included regime change in Kyiv and fundamental alteration of Ukraine’s geopolitical orientation.

Speed: Rapid advance toward the capital suggested Russian expectations of quick victory.

Resistance: Ukrainian military and civilian resistance appeared stronger than Russian planners anticipated.

Historical Context

The invasion marked a dramatic escalation from the conflict that began in 2014:

Eight-Year War: The conflict in Donbas had already claimed over 14,000 lives since 2014.

Failed Agreements: The Minsk accords, intended to resolve the eastern conflict, had effectively collapsed.

Geopolitical Stakes: The invasion represented the most serious challenge to the post-Cold War European security order.

President Putin, in the name of humanity, bring your troops back to Russia. This conflict must stop now.

Regional Implications

The invasion had immediate implications for neighboring countries:

Poland: Prepared to receive refugees and activated emergency protocols.

Romania: Reinforced border security and prepared humanitarian assistance.

Moldova: Expressed concern about security given its proximity to the conflict.

Belarus: Its role in supporting the invasion raised questions about its sovereignty.

Information Warfare

The invasion was accompanied by intense information warfare:

Russian Narratives: Moscow portrayed the operation as defensive and necessary.

Ukrainian Communications: Kyiv worked to maintain international support and document Russian actions.

Social Media: Real-time footage and accounts provided unprecedented visibility into the conflict.

Disinformation: Competing narratives and false information complicated understanding of events.

The February 24 invasion fundamentally altered the nature of the Ukraine-Russia conflict, transforming what had been a regional crisis into a full-scale war with global ramifications that would reshape European security architecture and international relations.