yeah I don't think the date matters, but wherever you're following that says the 22nd is misinformed. As far as it being a war, there's not really a difference between an SMO and a war aside from national legal considerations, like in regards to funding, level of mobilisation, and how much approval you need from the other members of state. That's why, for instance, the west rarely classifies its engagements as war: that would require more oversight and approval in congress/parliament.