Despite a barrage of Western sanctions aimed at the Russian economy, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is set to enter its second week, with no sign of a cease-fire approaching.
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Since Russian troops launched their invasion last Thursday, the bloodshed in several major Ukrainian cities has escalated, driving hundreds of thousands of civilians to evacuate the nation in search of safety.
According to Ukrainian sources, the number of deaths and injuries is rising as Russian soldiers intensify their attacks and a massive military convoy approaches the capital, Kyiv.
Below are key events that have marked the war so far according to Aljazeera:
February 21:Russian President Vladimir Putin recognizes Luhansk and Donetsk as separate republics and orders Russian forces to function as “peacekeepers” in the two separatist territories of eastern Ukraine.
February 22: The Russian parliament authorises Putin to use military force outside the country
February 23: Ukraine declares a nationwide state of emergency.
February 24: Russia launches a full-scale assault on Ukraine.
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February 25: Russian forces press towards the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, as the United Nations says more than 50,000 people have fled the country since the start of Moscow’s invasion
February 26: The mayor of Kyiv imposes a curfew in the Ukrainian capital as Russian troops advance towards the city.
February 27: European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen announces that Russian aircraft will be banned from EU airspace, and Russian state-owned media Russia Today, Sputnik and their subsidiaries are banned from EU airwaves and the internet.
February 28: In a largely symbolic move, Ukraine applies to join the EU.
Russia and Ukraine hold a first round of ceasefire talks at the Belarusian border. They disbanded after five hours without an agreement.
March 1: A 65km-long Russian convoy amasses on the outskirts of Kyiv.
March 2: The UN General Assembly approves a non-binding resolution condemning Russia for its invasion of Ukraine and demanding an immediate withdrawal. The resolution is supported by 141 of the assembly’s 193 members. Thirty-five member states, including China, abstain.
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