As the Russian invasion of Ukraine approaches the six-month mark, here’s a brief recap of some key moments from the war:
24 February: Putin launches the invasion of Ukraine, describing it as a “special military operation” with the aim of “demilitarisation and denazification” of the country.
7 March: Ukraine and Russia agree to open humanitarian corridors to evacuate civilians from the besieged city of Mariupol but attempts fail as Russian shelling continued.
30 March: Russia first announces it will curb its assault on Kyiv. It will later shift its focus to eastern Ukraine
1 April: Horrors in Bucha emerge after Russian troops begin to withdraw from the city near to Kyiv. Bodies are found lying the streets, indicating a civilian massacre
20 May: Russia takes control of the Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol after a long siege
25 June: The eastern city of Severodonetsk falls to Russia, with neighbouring Lysychansk following on 3 July, giving Moscow almost total control of the eastern Luhansk region.
1 August: First grain ship leaves Ukraine under a landmark deal with Russia which been blockading Ukrainian ports since February
