Russia invades Ukraine, upending the European order

Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine this year, triggering the largest land war in Europe since the Second World War, upending the continent's security order and prompting a sweeping response from Western nations, in an event that reshaped geopolitics and sent shockwaves around the world.

The invasion, launched across multiple fronts, met fierce and determined resistance from Ukrainian forces and civilians, confounding expectations of a swift outcome and settling into a grinding conflict with enormous human cost, as cities were bombarded and millions were displaced.

The war prompted an extraordinary unified response from Western countries, which imposed sweeping economic sanctions on Russia and provided substantial military and financial support to Ukraine. The conflict also galvanised and expanded Western defensive alliances.

The humanitarian consequences were severe, as the fighting killed and wounded many, drove millions of refugees into neighbouring countries, and inflicted widespread destruction. The war also had far-reaching economic effects, disrupting supplies of energy, grain and other commodities and contributing to a surge in global inflation.

The invasion marked a profound rupture in international relations, shattering assumptions about peace and stability in Europe and raising fundamental questions about sovereignty, aggression and the international order. It drew comparisons to the darkest chapters of the 20th century.

The conflict became the defining geopolitical event of its time, with implications extending far beyond the region, affecting energy markets, food security, alliances and the broader balance of global power. The resilience of Ukraine's resistance drew admiration around the world, while the war's course and consequences remained deeply uncertain, casting a long shadow over international affairs and marking a pivotal and dangerous turn in the history of the era.