On February 24th, one year ago, the world watched in shock and numbed silence as gathered Russian troops swarmed into Ukraine and declared war. One year has passed since the beginning of one of the largest military conflicts since WW2, but there are no signs of the war abating soon. 

Initially, the war was expected to take three days, with an overwhelming victory for the seemingly far superior Russian military power. Denying these grim prophecies, Ukraine proved resilient under the unrelenting barrage of Russian artillery. It surprised the world repeatedly by never giving up, which prolonged the battle for over a year. 

The war has dire consequences for the Ukrainians. There have been more than 13,000 Ukrainian soldiers and 7,199 civilians killed. Approximately 8 million Ukraine citizens have been displaced and become refugees in other nations, and over 65,000 war crimes have been reported since the start of the war. 

Some key moments from the war include February when Kyiv didn’t fall, and soldiers and citizens alike fought tirelessly for each street and block. In March, Kherson and Donbas fell to Russian sieges. In April, Bucha, a small city near Kyiv, became infamous for Russian atrocities. Over 450 people died. The world reacted in outrage as videos of unlawful killings, shooting at point-blank range against civilians, executions, mutilation, rape, and torture were shared. In May, the last Ukrainian soldiers held a defiant stand in the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol for 47 days. In June, Ukraine retook Snake Island, a strategically located rocky island, which could act as a blockade for Ukraine to the Black Sea. Afterward, Ukraine launched a counteroffensive and regained major cities like Kherson. In retaliation, Russia hit Ukraine’s energy supply with airstrikes, determined to pull down public morale in the freezing winter. Still, Ukraine citizens pushed on, relying only on themselves as they gathered near fires. 

It wasn’t only Ukraine and Russia that suffered damage. Many other nations were also indirectly harmed as the global economy took a hit, with the vast Ukraine rice fields being locked up. Further sanctions and Russian retaliation made oil prices skyrocket. 

Despite the unforgiving year, the Ukraine citizens remain optimistic about their future. Patriotism and national pride run high. Polls from the Guardian show that around 95% of the entire nation believes in victory, and trust in the army is also about 97%. 

As of February 24th, 2023, marking the anniversary of the day Russians crossed the border, President Zelensky recounted the day as “the hardest day of our modern history.” He gave a speech, saying, “Its main result is that we endured. We were not defeated. And we will do everything to gain victory this year!” Many world leaders showed support for Ukraine. President Biden of the U.S. secretly visited Kyiv to show his adamant support for Ukraine. Other European allies, like Rishi Sunak and King Charles, condemned Russia for starting the war and announced support for Ukraine.

World-renowned landmarks, like the Empire State Building, the Eiffel Tower, and the Sydney Opera House, were all painted in blue and yellow to commemorate the tragic passing of countless Ukraine citizens on February 24th. Many protesters worldwide joined protests and shouted, “Slava Ukraini!” which translates to “Glory to Ukraine!” 

Although both sides have suffered greatly, neither is willing to back off, and the stakes continue to rise.