1000 Days of Russia’s Full-Scale War Against Ukraine
Today, Tuesday, 19 November 2024, marks 1,000 days since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russian troops, which followed the occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea in February 2014 and the seizure of parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions in the spring of the same year, Ukrinform reports.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy released a video to mark the thousandth day of the war, which contains key moments of the Ukrainian people's struggle against the Russian occupiers.
The video mentions the main moments of the war, including the resistance of the Ukrainian people, the liberation of cities, Zmeinyi Island, the return of prisoners, visits by leaders of states and international organisations, and victories in sports.
The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, General Oleksandr Syrskyi, emphasises that the extremely difficult and fierce battle for the future of Ukraine has been going on for a thousand days.
‘1000 days of full-scale war. 1000 days of a highly complex fierce battle for our existence. For the future of Ukraine and each of us. For 1000 days, the Armed Forces of Ukraine have been confronting the enemy on the frontline, which stretches over 1000 kilometres,’ said Syrskyi.
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, Ruslan Stefanchuk, emphasises that Ukraine has not surrendered during the 1,000 days of the full-scale invasion of Russian troops and has united the whole world.
‘Today marks 1,000 days of full-scale Russian aggression... 1,000 days of our heroic resistance and victorious struggle... 1,000 days during which the Ukrainian people proved that courage, unity and resilience can withstand the most cruel enemy,’ he stressed.
Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal expressed his gratitude to all those who contribute to Ukraine's victory in the war against Russia.
‘A thousand days of full-scale war with a cruel enemy for the freedom of Ukraine and the future of Ukrainians. I thank our defenders for standing up and fighting. I am grateful to all those who work in the home front to meet the needs of the army and critical infrastructure. I thank the people who produce weapons and ammunition and provide light and heat to our homes. People who rescue, teach and treat. I am grateful to each one of you who contributes to our victory. To business for paying taxes honestly. Employees - for their diligent work. To the volunteers - for their tireless help,’ the Prime Minister wrote.
On the night of 24 February 2022, as part of the launch of the so-called ‘special military operation’, which was allegedly aimed at ‘demilitarising and denazifying Ukraine’, the Russian army began air strikes in most regions of Ukraine and launched a large-scale ground offensive from the territory of the Russian Federation, Belarus, the temporarily occupied parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, as well as the temporarily occupied Crimea.
The aggressors' initial plan was to quickly capture Kyiv and establish a pro-Russian regime in Ukraine. The Russian invaders are deliberately destroying schools, kindergartens, hospitals, residential buildings, cultural institutions, businesses, roads, bridges, energy facilities, national parks and forests, causing an environmental disaster.
The full-scale war provoked a humanitarian crisis. More than 8 million Ukrainians have fled abroad. Some people became internally displaced.
As previously reported, the EU, NATO and Western countries have expressed support for Ukraine on the occasion of the 1000th day of Russia's full-scale war.