Ukraine war: What’s really happening and how it’s changing the world

When we talk about the Ukraine war, a full-scale invasion by Russia that began in February 2022 and has since become the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War II. Also known as the Russia-Ukraine conflict, it’s not just about borders or territory—it’s about the future of international law, energy security, and how democracies respond to aggression.

The war has forced countries to rethink everything from how they power their homes to how they protect their data. NATO response, a coordinated effort by Western allies to supply weapons, intelligence, and financial aid to Ukraine while avoiding direct military involvement has turned into the largest military support operation in modern history. At the same time, global energy crisis, triggered by the loss of Russian gas and oil exports to Europe sent prices soaring, hit household budgets, and pushed governments to scramble for alternatives—even reopening coal plants. And while the frontlines drag on, the humanitarian crisis, involving millions displaced, children pulled from schools, and cities reduced to rubble continues to grow, with aid organizations struggling to keep up.

This isn’t a war happening far away. It’s influencing everything from your electricity bill to the price of bread, from the way governments track disinformation to how charities raise money. The headlines you see—tank battles, drone strikes, peace talks—are just the surface. Underneath, there’s a quiet revolution in how nations defend themselves, how civilians survive, and how the world decides who gets protected and who doesn’t.

Below, you’ll find real stories and hard data from across London and beyond: how the war is affecting local communities, what’s being done to help refugees, how it’s reshaping global power, and why this conflict won’t be forgotten even if the news cycle moves on.