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Four years of war, and for what? On 24 February, in the depths of an exceptionally cold winter, Ukrainians commemorate a bitter fourth anniversary of the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
Where do things stand? Mass destruction of human lives – some estimates put the number of military casualties at up to 465,000, including Ukrainians and Russians – as well as infrastructure and culture, all so that the Kremlin can hold on to some 20% of Ukrainian territory since the invasion of Crimea in 2014.
As the most significant conflict to have devastated Europe since World War II drags on, peace talks between Ukraine, Russia, and the United States are stalling. Meanwhile, the European Union is struggling to devise an action plan to effectively support Ukraine, and the current strategy of economic aid and a new package of sanctions against Russia have faced criticism for their lack of effectiveness. As for Ukrainians, they continue to resist, despite the cold, exhaustion, and devastation.
For the occasion, we invite you to read the opinion piece that Ukrainian human right activist Oleksandra Matviichuk, winner of the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize, shared with us, in which she recounts how, four years since the start of Russia's “special military operation,” Ukrainians turn survival into resistance.
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