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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
World
David Kent

Timeline of Russia Ukraine war so far - from Irish sea exercises to destruction of cities

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has lasted over a month, with millions of people being forced to flee their home as airstrikes rain down amid fighting on the streets.

Vladimir Putin has refused to pull back his troops, while Ukraine leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy has constantly said that there will be no surrenders from his army in defence of their cities.

There have been issues on the eastern half of Europe for a long time, with the 2014 annexation of Crimea being a major flashpoint.

Read more: Irish priests register to offer accommodation to Ukraine refugees

But it was the beginning of 2022 that we saw the first signs of what Putin's intentions were.

Here's the timelines of the crisis so far.

January 29 - Russia u-turn on naval exercises off coast of Cork

Putin's nation was due to carry out a series of military drills around 240km off the coast of Ireland over several days in February.

The move created controversy when it emerged the exercises would take place within Irish airspace and Ireland's 'Exclusive Economic Zone' (EEZ) near Cork and Kerry.

But they were done away with after multiple meetings between Russian representatives and Irish Government and fishing union members at the end of January.

It was an early warning sign of what was to come.

February 11 - US warns of Russian invasion of Ukraine 'any day now'

The US issued a major warning after their security experts gave information to President Joe Biden about Putin's next move.

The national security advisor for the White House, Jake Sullivan, said: "Now, we can’t pinpoint the day at this point, and we can’t pinpoint the hour but what we can say is that there is a credible prospect that a Russian military action would take place, even before the end of the Olympics."

February 17 - Clashes in Donbas region

Russian-backed rebels and Ukrainian forces accused each other of firing across an agreed ceasefire line in the Donbas area while talks were underway to ease tensions.

The residents of Donetsk and Luhansk had been seen as 'Russian' by Putin, with claims that they were independent due to a high population of Russian nationals.

February 21 - Putin puts troops into Donbas

In a special televised address on the morning of February 21, Putin announced that the Russian government would recognise the Donetsk and Luhansk people's republics.

Later that day, he directed that Russian troops be deployed into the regions, with the UN condemning the move.

February 24 - "Special military operation" begins, martial law introduced in Ukraine, Chernobyl captured

Putin announces that he had made the decision to launch a "special military operation" in eastern Ukraine

Putin said that Russia sought the "demilitarisation and denazification" of Ukraine - with bombings being heard in a number of cities in the moments following his address.

At the same time, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy introduces martial law in Ukraine, with all males between 18 and 60 prohibited from leaving the country.

Within a few hours, the Chernobyl nuclear power plant is taken by Russian forces.

This leads Adi Roche to plead for a ceasefire to allow the evacuation of children trapped.

March 4 - Projectile lands at Zaporizhzhia power plant, Russians take control, Taoiseach blasts "evil" Putin

A Russian missile causes a fire at Zaporizhzhia, the third-largest power plant in the world, with the ensuing battles being won by the Russian forces, who take control of the plant.

It brings a new nuclear threat to the war.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin labels Vladimir Putin an 'evil man' while speaking to Ryan Tubridy on the Late Late Show.

March 7 - Truck crashes through gates of Russian embassy in Ireland

The embassy, which is based on Orwell Road on the southside of the city, was the subject of a number of attacks and protests in Dublin since the outbreak of the war.

But things went a step further when a truck dramatically reversed through the gates, with gardai confirming that a man had been arrested.

March 9 - Airstrikes hit children's and maternity hospital in Mariupol

Hundreds are injured and a number of people are killed after a Russian missile destroys a hospital in Mariupol.

02 Maxar satellite image of damaged hospital and apartment buildings in western Mariupol, Ukraine. (gettyimages.ie)

March 11 - Irish student Rachel Diyaolu returns home after escaping war

19-year-old Racheal Diyaolu made the marathon journey from the University of Sumy in eastern Ukraine to Ireland amid the Russia war.

Her journey took over the week, with an emotional reunion at Dublin Airport.

March 13 - American journalist killed in fighting

Brent Renaud is shot dead in Irpin as a result of fire opened by Russian forces.

Pierre Zakrzewski (Twitter/TreyYingst)

March 15 - Irish journalist killed near Kyiv.

Pierre Zakrzewski died outside the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, alongside his colleague Oleksandra Kuvshynova after a Russian attack.

The 55-year-old was killed after artillery shelling broke out in the north-eastern part of the village of Gorenka.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he was "deeply disturbed and saddened by the killing".

March 16 - Theatre sheltering 1,000 people hit by air strike

Mariupol is targeted once more, with a bomb hitting a theatre where up to 1,000 people were sheltering.

Later, it is confirmed that around 300 people are killed in the attack.

March 18-20 - Mariupol encircled, bombs strike shopping centre in Kyiv in 'night of hell'

The city of Mariupol becomes encircled by Russian troops, trapping 300,000 people in the area.

A shopping centre in the capital Kyiv is struck by a bomb, with neighbouring houses also being affected.

The attack results in at least eight deaths.

March 25 - Zelenskyy criticises Irish response

Zelensky appeared to criticise Ireland for not doing enough to help Ukraine's bid to join the European Union.

The Ukraine President issued an impassioned plea to the European Union - but did appear to hit out some members for not doing enough to support his country.

In a speech at a meeting of the European Council, President Zelensky thanked the EU for its support - but said it "was also a little late" coming. He asked the council to "not be late" while it is "preparing Ukraine's membership in the European Union".

Read more: Leo Varadkar and partner Matt Barrett to offer spare room to Ukrainian refugee

Read more: Ireland weather: Met Eireann confirm incredible cold turn as temperatures nosedive by 21C and snow possible

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