Global Security

In parts of northern Ukraine, near the border with Belarus, Russian troops were firmly in control for several weeks early last year. One village occupied by Russian soldiers and later retaken by Ukrainian forces is in the middle of trying to rebuild. 

Over the last year, Kyiv’s northern suburbs have become symbols of Russian occupation, atrocities and destruction. But Ukrainians have already begun to rebuild — despite a lack of financial support from the government.

​​In late February of 2022, even as Russian troops moved closer to Ukraine's border and all signs pointed to war, many Ukrainians woke up in disbelief as tanks started to roll into their country. Several Ukrainians shared their memories of Russia's invasion of Ukraine — before and after — which happened a year ago this week.

Russia’s full-scale invasion in Ukraine that began on Feb. 24, 2022, sent shockwaves around the world. It’s now been a year since Russia’s war in Ukraine began. Here’s an account, by month, of some of the key moments in the conflict.

This corner of the globe sits at the intersection of three tectonic plates, including the Arabian Plate that’s moving northward into Europe. Pressure along the fault has been building, and when it finally released, it appears that an area nearly 120 miles long and 15 miles wide got displaced, unleashing the earthquake. 

​​​​​​​Entire neighborhoods have been leveled in northwestern Syria, where an earthquake struck in the early hours of Monday morning. This region of Syria is home to millions of people displaced by years of civil war. Even before the quake, they had been living in already dire conditions.

The death toll has surpassed 5,000, with thousands of others injured after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck large parts of southeastern Turkey and northern Syria on Monday. Rescue teams are trying to find people buried under the rubble of collapsed buildings.

Belgium has to decide how to proceed amid calls for sanctions against Russia's diamond industry. The Belgian city of Antwerp plays a big role in the global diamond trade, and would have much to lose. Hans Merket, of the International Peace Information Service (IPIS), joined the World's host Marco Werman from Antwerp to discuss the situation.

Rahul Gandhi, head of India's opposition Congress party, started a unity march last September from the southern tip of the country, which ended on Monday. Gandhi is trying to drum up support for his party, opposition to the ruling BJP and, many observers say, trying to uphold democracy in the face of what's becoming an increasingly religious state.