January 27, 2026
News
For four years, Ukraine has been facing a full-scale Russian invasion. However, the war has been ongoing since 2014, and its consequences have been devastating. Millions of people have been forced to leave their homes, and the country has found itself in a humanitarian crisis. Beyond military operations, the conflict has had a profound impact on the economy, healthcare, and infrastructure. Below are seven key facts that help explain the current situation and its consequences for Ukraine and the world.
DONATE TO HELP PEOPLE IN UKRAINE
1. When did the war in Ukraine start, and what are its roots?
The war in Ukraine began in 2014 with Russia’s annexation of Crimea. Four years ago, it escalated into a large-scale invasion across vast parts of Ukrainian territory. The roots of the conflict can be traced back to 2013, when then-President Viktor Yanukovych refused to sign an association agreement with the European Union, triggering mass protests known as Euromaidan. Protesters demanded Yanukovych’s resignation and early elections. The consequences of Euromaidan were far-reaching.
Photo: The war in Ukraine began in 2014 with Russia’s annexation of Crimea
The demonstrations culminated in February 2014 with the overthrow of Yanukovych. Russia used this as a pretext to annex Crimea and support separatist movements in eastern Ukraine. Russian forces occupied the peninsula, and following a referendum that was not internationally recognised, Crimea was annexed by Russia. The conflict in eastern Ukraine then intensified, with pro-Russian separatist groups declaring independence in the Donbas region. This led to a prolonged war that claimed thousands of lives and forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee their homes. The conflict escalated on February 24, 2022, when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, triggering mass displacement and widespread destruction of lives and infrastructure.
2. Why is this the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War II?
The invasion involves extensive military operations with the deployment of large numbers of troops and heavy artillery. The scale of fighting is unprecedented in the post-war era, with millions of soldiers mobilised. As a result, the war in Ukraine is considered to be the largest military conflict in Europe in the past 80 years. The intensity of the fighting and the use of modern weaponry, including military equipment supplied by multiple countries, surpasses the conflicts in the Balkans during the 1990s. As a result of the war, millions of people have been forced to flee their homes.
Photo: The current conflict in Ukraine is the largest one since World War II
Beyond the immense human toll and destruction of infrastructure, the war has also affected the global economy, including energy and food prices. It has also had major geopolitical consequences, shaping security dynamics in Europe and beyond. Ongoing discussions focus on NATO’s role and meaning, respect for international law, Europe’s security architecture, and the balance of power among major global actors.
3. How many people have been displaced by the war in Ukraine?
The fighting has forced nearly one third of Ukraine’s population to leave their homes, including more than half of all Ukrainian children, resulting in massive population displacement. According to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, by January 2026, nearly six million Ukrainians had been forced to leave their country, with 5.4 million finding refuge in Europe. Many people return to Ukraine temporarily or permanently during the conflict, while others move back and forth between Ukraine and host countries, often depending on safety conditions and the time of year. At the same time, millions of people remain in the European Union. Europe has thus experienced the largest refugee wave since World War II.
The highest numbers of Ukrainian refugees have been received by Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic. Significant numbers have also found refuge in Canada and the United States. Relative to population size, Moldova has taken in the most Ukrainian refugees, followed by the Czech Republic. European countries have offered refugees not only temporary protection, but also access to employment, education, and healthcare.
Photo: The fighting has forced nearly one third of Ukraine’s population to leave their homes
4. What is life like for internally displaced Ukrainians?
Millions of internally displaced people in Ukraine are trying to rebuild their lives in safer parts of the country. Leaving their homes but staying in Ukraine was a decision made by or forced upon 3.8 million people. Due to ongoing attacks, this number continues to rise. These people are now trying to start again and live as normally as possible. Major challenges include a lack of access to dignified housing, employment opportunities, and psychological support, all of which are crucial for their adaptation and stability.
Photo: Caritas Czech Republic helps internally displaced persons secure a source of livelihood
Caritas Czech Republic supports these people in securing long-term, dignified housing and by helping them stand back up on their own two feet. In western Ukraine, we have renovated refugee accommodation centres. We also help internally displaced persons secure livelihoods, so they can return to everyday life as soon as possible. We offer retraining and education courses, we support people in starting small businesses, and we help them access new job opportunities. In 2025, we also focused on mental health support. Research shows that more than 70 per cent of Ukraine’s population requires psychological support as a result of the war. In four regions, we established five mental health centres for children and adults, which provide free access to psychological care. We also organised integration activities for children in western Ukraine and provided training and psychological consultations for teachers working with children near the front line.
5. How many people in Ukraine need humanitarian aid?
Active fighting, forced displacement, loss of employment opportunities and attacks on critical infrastructure severely limit Ukrainian’s' ability to meet their basic needs. Currently, around 12.7 million Ukrainians require humanitarian assistance. That accounts for roughly one third of the population.
Millions face critical conditions due to limited access to drinking water, heating, electricity, and other essential services. This is especially evident during the winter months, when temperatures drop well below freezing. Caritas Czech Republic has been providing humanitarian assistance since the very first days of the war. Today, we focus primarily on helping people living near the front line overcome the winter through home repairs and the distribution of warm clothing, fuel, and other essential items.
Photo: Around 12.7 million Ukrainians require humanitarian assistance
6. What impact do attacks on Ukraine’s infrastructure have on civilians?
Hospitals, schools, residential areas, and other critical infrastructure have become frequent targets of Russian attacks. Repeated strikes on power plants, electrical substations, energy networks and heating facilities disrupt energy supplies for millions of people, which has catastrophic consequences for civilians, particularly during winter, further deepening the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. Repairs to damaged infrastructure are difficult due to ongoing fighting and limited resources.
Attacks on healthcare facilities and power outages make it impossible to provide essential medical care and complicate efforts to save injured civilians. The number of attacks on medical facilities and civilian objects continues to rise. Shortages of medicines, equipment, and medical staff further worsen the health crisis in affected areas. Under international humanitarian law, in particular the Geneva Conventions, deliberate, targeted attacks on civilian infrastructure are prohibited and constitute war crimes.
One of Caritas Czech Republic’s priorities in Ukraine is supporting and restoring healthcare services. We focus on rehabilitation care and ensuring access to basic medical services in areas where it is difficult for people to reach them.
Photo: Caritas Czech Republic focuses its assistance on healthcare in Ukraine
7. How is Caritas Czech Republic supporting war-affected Ukraine?
Caritas Czech Republic has been working in Ukraine for many years. Initially, our assistance focused primarily on social services, healthcare and education, but also on support for people affected by the conflict in eastern Ukraine.
Following the Russian invasion in February 2022, we provided immediate humanitarian assistance, financial support, and psychological care.
Today, our work focuses mainly on healthcare (including mental health support), education, and assistance to internally displaced persons, securing them dignified housing so they can rebuild their lives. We have modernised and equipped six rehabilitation centres in the Dnipropetrovsk region. Thanks to Czech support, expertise, modern technologies, and training for healthcare staff, accessibility and quality of care have improved for people across the region. We have also established safe learning spaces, where we offer children extra tutoring and educational courses. We also help people during the winter months. We distribute briquettes, solid fuel, and essential relief packets.
In Ukraine, our help is made possible thanks to the support of the Czech Development Agency, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, the Ukrainian Humanitarian Fund (UHF), and other international and local partners.
Our work is also made possible by donors to the Caritas for Ukraine fundraising campaign.
We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your support.
DONATE TO HELP PEOPLE IN UKRAINE
