On February 24, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, just days after recognizing the Donetsk People's Republic and the Luhansk People's Republic as independent states. This move came after months of escalating military presence along Ukraine’s borders, sparking fears of a broader conflict. Putin justified the invasion by claiming the need to protect Russian speakers in Ukraine and to prevent its potential NATO membership, despite significant international concern regarding Ukraine's sovereignty. The invasion began in the early hours with missile strikes targeting major Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv, and land assaults from multiple directions, comprising ground forces from Crimea and the Eastern border with Russia.

The invasion prompted an immediate response from several countries and international organizations, including the United Nations, NATO, and the European Union. A broad coalition of nations condemned Russia’s actions and began implementing stringent economic sanctions aimed at crippling key sectors of the Russian economy. In Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged citizens to resist the invasion and encouraged international support, marking the beginning of a fierce defense against the Russian military. The conflict rapidly escalated into a protracted war, profoundly affecting European security dynamics and international relations, with millions displaced and significant humanitarian crises emerging in its wake.