Invasioon

Invasioon is the act of entering another state’s territory by force with the aim of defeating the government, seizing control, or compelling political change. It can take different forms, from full-scale campaigns that seek to occupy large areas to more limited incursions intended to disrupt, threaten, or pressure the target. Invasions may be followed by occupation, administration of territory, or annexation, and they can involve land, air, and sea forces, as well as allied or proxy actors. The term appears across languages and historical accounts to describe interstate aggression and the attempted alteration of borders or governance by force.

International law defines the prohibition of the use of force against territorial integrity or political independence as a core principle. The UN Charter generally prohibits aggression in Article 2(4) unless actions fall within self-defense under Article 51 or receive authorization from the UN Security Council under Chapter VII. Whether a specific act constitutes an invasion depends on factors such as attribution to a state or actor, scale and intent, whether it crosses borders, and whether it results in an armed conflict. Occupation and changes of sovereignty after an invasion raise additional legal and humanitarian considerations, including responsibilities toward civilians and the potential for war crimes.

Historically, invasions have shaped wars and state boundaries, with notable examples including the invasion of Poland in 1939, the Allied invasion of Normandy in 1944, the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, the 2003 Iraq invasion, and the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. The consequences often include disruption, humanitarian crises, displacement, prolonged conflict, and shifts in regional or global power.