Three Years Of Ukraine War: Tracing Key Events Of The Biggest Conflict In Europe Since World War II | Photos

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to launch what he called a “special military operation" set off the biggest conflict in Europe since World War II.

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Tens of thousands of soldiers — from both sides — and Ukrainian civilians have been killed in the Ukraine conflict and cities across the country’s south and east have been flattened and millions forced to flee their homes. (ILLUSTRATION: News18)

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Moscow launches its full-scale invasion with missile strikes on Ukrainian cities. (ILLUSTRATION: News18)

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On May 21, 2022, Russia takes the southeastern port city of Mariupol, which has been relentlessly bombed, after the last Ukrainian troops holding out at a steelworks surrender. (ILLUSTRATION: News18)

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On June 24, 2023, Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin led a mutiny to bring down Moscow's top military brass but retreated following mediation via Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko. (ILLUSTRATION: News18)

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Ukraine, the United States and South Korea have said that, beginning in October, North Korea sent more than 10,000 troops to help Russian forces in the Kursk region. (ILLUSTRATION: News18)

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US president Donald Trump said he could meet Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin very soon" to discuss ending the fighting, raising fears in Kyiv and Europe that they are being sidelined. (ILLUSTRATION: News18)

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Trump has signalled he could trade aid to Kyiv for access to Ukraine's critical minerals, key elements used in electronics. (ILLUSTRATION: News18)