Russian occupation of Chernihiv Oblast
On 24 February 2022, the Russian military invaded Ukraine, crossing the Russia-Ukraine and Belarus–Ukraine borders at several points in Chernihiv Oblast. Russian troops unsuccessfully attempted to capture the capital city of the oblast, Chernihiv, as part of a strategy to reach the Ukraine's capital Kyiv from the east.
Occupation
During the occupation, 478 people died, including 334 men, 122 women, and 22 children. Most died because of artillery and air attacks.Horodnia
Horodnia was occupied on 24 February 2022, the first day of the invasion.Russian forces left Horodnia on 1 April, blowing up a bridge as they withdrew. According to Ukrainian officials, the situation in the town was "under control" by the next day.
Russian withdrawal
On 29 March, Russian officials announced withdrawal of their forces from the region. The General Staff of Ukraine confirmed that they started to withdraw on the same day. By 31 March, the Chernihiv Oblast governor Vyacheslav Chaus said that Russian forces had begun withdrawing from the region.On 5 April, Ukrainian military took control of some segments of the border in the Chernihiv region while Russian forced continued to withdraw. The Pentagon confirmed their full departure the next day.
Aftermath
After Russian forces withdrew, Ukrainian forces began demining operations in Chernihiv Oblast.Russian forces still shell small towns and villages near the border with Russia.
On 15 November 2024, a likely Russian reconnaissance and sabotage unit conducted a cross-border incursion into the Chernihiv Oblast. According to Russian military bloggers, the Russian force entered and/or seized the villages of Hremiach,, and, though the Institute for the Study of War was unable to confirm that the Russian forces were maintaining positions in the area; Ukrainian officials claimed that Russian forces only briefly crossed into the region as part of an "information operation."