History Today: When Russia went to war against Ukraine and changed the world

The world watched in horror as Russia launched a full-scale invasion of its neighbour Ukraine on February 24, 2022. The war was a result of escalating tensions between the two nations since 2014 when Russia annexed Crimea.

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In 2010, Sachin Tendulkar became the first batsman to score a double century in international cricket on this day. Meanwhile, Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein was convicted of raping several aspiring young female actors in 2020.

Here is all that happened on this day.

Russia invades Ukraine

It was on this day in 2022, when Russia launched its attack on neighbouring Ukraine. This marked the largest military conflict in Europe since World War II.

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To understand the cause of the war we need to look back a few years, precisely 2014, when armed conflict in eastern Ukraine erupted after Russia’s annexation of Crimea. Russia formally annexed the peninsula after Crimeans voted to join the Russian Federation in a disputed local referendum.

In early February 2022, satellite imagery showed the largest deployment of Russian troops to its border with Belarus since the end of the Cold War. President Putin then ordered troops to Luhansk and Donetsk for a “peacekeeping” function.

In defiance of last-minute UN Security Council (UNSC) diplomacy, Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, with land, sea and air attacks targeting military installations and cities throughout the country. In his defense, Putin stated that the operation was to demilitarise and denazify Ukraine and end the alleged genocide of Russians in Ukrainian territory.

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So, in the early hours of February 24, Russian forces entered Ukraine from all sides i.e. from Belarus in the north, Kharkiv in the east and Crimea in the South, in a bid to reach and capture the national capital Kyiv.

President Zelenskyy’s unwavering commitment to defend Ukraine, rejecting offers to flee, became a symbol of resistance as Russia launched its invasion. Despite three years of war, Russia has yet to secure the "Breadbasket of Europe," and the invasion triggered significant international sanctions and NATO military support for Ukraine.

Sachin Tendulkar scores first double-century in international cricket

History was made on February 24, 2010 when Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar became the first batsman to score a double century in One Day Internationals (ODIs). He achieved this milestone against South Africa at the Captain Roop Singh Stadium in Gwalior.

In the final over of the innings, Tendulkar nudged a single off Charl Langeveldt to reach the magical milestone. The stadium erupted in celebration as he became the first player to score 200 runs in an ODI match. Tendulkar’s unbeaten 200 off 147 balls was a masterclass in precision, timing and skill and cemented his status as one of the greatest batsmen in cricket history.

India finished with a formidable total of 401/3 and later went on to win the match by 153 runs. Notably, his innings included 25 fours and three sixes, maintaining a strike rate of 136.05. His achievement was celebrated worldwide and further solidified his reputation as the “God of Cricket.”

Harvey Weinstein convicted of rape

In 2020, famous Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein was convicted of sexually assaulting former production assistant Mimi Haleyi in 2006 and raping aspiring actress Jessica Mann in 2013. It was a landmark trial that became a major milestone in the #MeToo movement.

The conviction was delivered by a Los Angeles jury, marking the second time Weinstein was found guilty of sex crimes. This trial focused on allegations from multiple women, highlighting a pattern of abuse and exploitation spanning decades.

Weinstein, convicted and remanded into custody, was transported from the courthouse to Bellevue Hospital by ambulance, with his sentencing scheduled for a later date. His lawyers argued for his placement in the Rikers Island infirmary, citing his need for medical care following a failed back surgery.

This Day, That Year

• In 1991, US ground operations began in the Persian Gulf War
• Cofounder of Apple Inc. Steve Jobs was born in 1955.
• In 1868, US President Andrew Johnson was impeached on this day.