Russia-Ukraine War: 1,235 Days of Conflict – A Look at Key Moments

When the news broke back in February 2022, I remember sitting at my kitchen table, staring at my phone screen like millions of others around the world. Russia had begun a full-scale invasion of Ukraine – something I never thought I’d witness in my lifetime. Here we are today, 1,235 days later, and the war has dug itself deep into history books, news feeds, and everyday discussions.

Today, I want to lead you through a chronology — not just dates and dry data, but glimpses of what people like you and me were feeling as the globe watched Ukraine stand its ground.



A Sudden Shock: February 24, 2022

It all started before morning. Russian troops crossed the border from several directions — Belarus, Crimea, the Donbas. Missiles hit Kyiv, Kharkiv, and hundreds of other locations. Ukrainians woke up to sirens, hasty packing, and panicked phone calls to family.

I remember my friend Oksana, who lives in Lviv, telling me she grabbed her cat and passport before anything else. Millions fled west. Train stations were so packed that people clung to each other, hoping for a seat to Poland, Romania, somewhere safe.



A President Who Stayed

One of the first viral moments was President Zelensky’s selfie video in Kyiv. “I’m here. We are here,” he said, standing defiantly in front of the Presidential Office with his cabinet behind him. That tiny clip became a symbol. Ukrainians weren’t going to fold. They stayed — and the world saw it.



Key Battles: From Kyiv to Kherson

The war’s first year was marked by tremendous swings:

Battle of Kyiv (Feb-Mar 2022): Russian soldiers tried to encircle the capital but faced heavy urban resistance. Images of wrecked Russian tanks on ice highways spread globally. By April, Ukraine had pushed them back – a turning point that stunned even the specialists.

Mariupol Siege (Mar-May 2022): Who can forget the steel plant? The Azovstal complex turned into a last stand for Ukrainian soldiers. Underground shelters, desperate families, and troops who refused to surrender. The world saw through blurry videos smuggled out.

Kherson Counteroffensive (Sep-Nov 2022): When Ukrainian forces retook Kherson, citizens applauded in the streets, waving blue-and-yellow flags after eight months of Russian control. It reminded everyone that Ukraine was far from beaten.




A War of Drones and Sanctions

By 2023, the frontlines stiffened. It wasn’t simply tanks and trenches anymore – drones buzzed day and night. Russia targeted energy infrastructure. Ukraine hit back at supply lines in Crimea and well into Russian territory.

Sanctions piled up. Western countries put billions toward Ukraine’s defense, and the EU cut itself off from Russian oil and gas. Ordinary Europeans paid increased heating prices — yet unity mainly held.



Stories from the Ground

Behind every headline are real people. Like Petro, a farmer near Zaporizhzhia, who plowed fields between missile strikes to keep food exports alive. Or the students in Kharkiv who repurposed a basement into an art club when their school was attacked.

It’s these human moments that stick with me more than the political speeches or military stats.



Where Are We Now?

As I write this on day 1,235, the combat is still terrible in the Donbas. Reports of new offensives near Kharkiv have propelled the topic back into Google’s hot rankings. NATO leaders have finished another conference, promising air defense systems and more ammo.

Meanwhile, Russian domestic politics are seething. Internal opposition has gotten louder despite strict state constraints. Some analysts hint about future negotiations, but no one dares forecast how — or when — this ends.



What Lies Ahead?

If there’s one lesson we’ve all learned, it’s that this war defies straightforward forecasts. Talk of peace feels brittle; winter always brings fresh misery. Yet, amid the bombardment and darkness, people keep reconstructing, planting gardens, mending windows, teaching youngsters in underground classrooms.



Why This Still Matters

It’s tempting to scroll past the daily updates. We acquire combat fatigue. But Ukraine’s fight is a daily reminder that democracy, freedom, and sovereignty aren’t simply words in dusty textbooks – they’re ideas people are risking everything to maintain.

And for millions of Ukrainians, it’s not just about geopolitics – it’s home.



Closing Thoughts

1,235 days in, the conflict has transformed energy policies, supply systems, and global alliances. But more than anything, it’s transformed lives – both in Ukraine and well beyond.

Whether you’re a student, a commuter, a parent reading this while your kids nap, or someone like me trying to make sense of the news, remember this: history doesn’t simply happen in large summits or military briefings. It happens in the tales we share — and the compassion we choose to hold on to, even when the news cycle moves on.

Stay informed. Stay human. And let’s not look away.