The conflict was triggered by mass protests in Kiev and other Ukrainian cities at the end of 2013, leading to the fall of President Yanukovych in February 2014. Today, Ukraine is still the most mine-contaminated country in the world.
Since 24 February 2022, when the conflict between Ukraine and Russia intensified, cities across the country have been the target of devastating weapons strikes.
In the current conflict, civilians remain the hardest hit by the daily air strikes and bombings, with more than 22,000 civilian casualties so far: almost 9,000 dead and more than 14,000 wounded. Almost 18 million people will need multi-sector humanitarian aid in 2023, including more than 6 million internally displaced people, 5 million returnees and the 7 million people who stayed at home throughout the war.
Civil infrastructure has been severely damaged, limiting access to electricity, telecommunications, food, water, heating and medical care. People are more vulnerable because of reduced access to essential services. An estimated 10 million people will need psychosocial support as a result of conflict-related trauma.