Billy Kelleher· Renew

Overestimated

Putin started the war in Ukraine five years ago (from March 2026)

Omissions

• The claim refers to the full-scale invasion that began on February 24, 2022, not five years prior. The conflict in eastern Ukraine began earlier in 2014 with Russia's annexation of Crimea and support for separatists in Donbas, but the full-scale invasion occurred in 2022.

Sources

• PrimaryCouncil of the European Union - Ukraine Declaration on invasionRussia launched full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022
• PrimaryEuropean Council - Special meeting February 24 2022Special European Council meeting on February 24, 2022 following Russia's invasion of Ukraine
• PrimaryEU Institutions Joint Statement on fourth anniversary of invasionFebruary 24, 2026 marks four years since Russia started its full-scale invasion of Ukraine
• SecondaryReuters - Timeline of events leading to Russia's invasionRussia launched large-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022