Three Years of War: Russia Gains Ground as Peace Talks Begin

The Russia-Ukraine war, which began on February 24, 2022, has entered its third year, with over 40,000 civilian deaths and millions displaced. Russia now occupies 20 percent of Ukraine, having gained more than 4,000 square kilometers in the past year.

Key developments in the last year include Ukraine’s brief seizure of Russia’s Kursk region, allegations of North Korean troops fighting for Russia, and Russia’s first use of the hypersonic Oreshnik missile. Meanwhile, the U.S. approved $61 billion in aid for Ukraine, with President Trump demanding access to Ukraine’s rare minerals in return.

With Ukraine losing ground and Trump pushing for an end to the war, U.S. and Russian officials met in Riyadh on February 18 to explore a path toward peace.