Claim: Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022
100%Based on my research, I can verify this claim:
Reasoning:
- Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, at dawn, marking the beginning of the largest military conflict in Europe since World War II1234
- The invasion began with missile strikes targeting airports and military installations across Ukraine, followed by ground assaults from multiple directions including from Belarus toward Kyiv, from Russia toward Kharkiv and Sumy, and from Crimea431
- Fighting began in Luhansk Oblast at 3:40 a.m. Kyiv time on February 24, 20224
- This was a major escalation of the existing conflict that began when Russia attacked Ukraine in 2014 (annexation of Crimea and conflict in Donbas)3
- The invasion was not officially declared as war by Russia, but President Putin announced a "special military operation" in a televised address on the morning of February 243
- Immediate international response included US President Biden declaring it "the beginning of a Russian invasion" on February 21, 2022, when Putin recognized the independence of Donetsk and Luhansk, with full-scale sanctions enacted by the US, UK, and EU5
The claim stating Russia launched its invasion in February 2022 is accurate. The specific date was February 24, 2022.
Overall validity: 100%