The Russian war in Ukraine Still Ongoing: Second Anniversary of the Full-Scale Russian Military Invasion
Two years ago, at around 3:40 am, the first column of Russian tanks entered the Luhansk region, and Ukraine shuddered at the first enemy missiles on its territory, Ukrinform reports.
This year, on the second anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, leaders of partner countries are planning to come to Ukraine. In particular, on 24 February, an online meeting of G7 leaders with the participation of Ukraine will take place.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky thanked everyone who helps Ukraine and works for victory.
"I am incredibly proud of everyone. I admire everyone. I believe in everyone. Any normal person wants the war to end. But none of us will allow our country to end. That is why we always add to the words about the end of the war: on our terms. That is why the word peace is always followed by the word fair. That is why in the future history, the word Independent will always stand next to the word Ukraine. We are fighting for it. And we will win. On the best day of our lives," the President said.
"Thank you all, soldiers, our people and everyone in the world who stands by us and the truth. Glory to Ukraine!" Zelensky added.
In addition, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky will hold a press conference on Sunday, 25 February. On the same day, a conference will be held with the participation of Ukraine's military and political leadership. The event will focus on the development of the Ukrainian army, Ukraine's integration into the EU and NATO, and the restoration of the physical and mental health of Ukrainians affected by the war.
Over the two years of full-scale war, Ukraine has inflicted significant losses on Russia in terms of manpower, weapons and enemy equipment.
As of 23 February 2024, the Ukrainian Defence Forces had already eliminated about 408,240 Russian invaders.
During this period, a large number of enemy vehicles were also destroyed. In particular, 6,526 enemy tanks, 12,410 armoured combat vehicles, 9,916 artillery systems, and more.
In addition, more than 2,600 Ukrainian soldiers and about 150 civilians returned home as part of prisoner exchanges between Ukraine and the Russian Federation.
However, over the two years of the war, more than 30,000 Ukrainian civilians have been injured and about 10,000 people have been killed.
As of 23 February, more than 1,758 children in Ukraine have been affected by Russia's full-scale armed aggression, with 528 children killed and more than 1,230 injured of varying severity.
Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal wrote on Facebook that over the two years of full-scale war with Russia, Ukraine has demonstrated strength and endurance, unity and dedication.
According to Shmyhal, Ukraine has also shown "an unbreakable spirit and character, thanks to which we not only preserved our country, but were able to continue to build and develop it. To move towards our goals - towards EU and NATO membership. And to our victory."
According to the Prime Minister, every success of Ukraine is a merit of everyone who continues to fight, who continues to work for victory.
"First of all, this is the merit of our soldiers. I am extremely grateful to every defender. You are the shield and support of the state. You protect the light of our future. And light always conquers darkness," Shmyhal said.
Minister of Defence Rustem Umerov stressed that unity and joint responsibility are needed to liberate Ukraine from Russian invaders.
"The enemy was going to destroy us in three days. But the unity of the army and the people gave a worthy rebuff. Which the aggressor did not expect. No one in the world expected it. In those days of February, the commanders and their units fought against superior enemy forces in the forests of Chernihiv and Kyiv regions, in the steppes of the Azov and Black Sea regions, on the outskirts of Kharkiv and Mykolaiv, under the spoil heaps of Donetsk and Luhansk regions. In those days of February, hundreds of thousands of men queued up at the military recruitment centre to protect their families and friends by joining the ranks of the Security and Defence Forces," Umerov wrote on Facebook.
He believes that Ukrainians survived those days in February because they acted as a single organism.
"We showed ourselves, we showed the enemy, we showed the world that the lines of the national anthem 'we will not let anyone rule in our native land' are part of the national identity of the Ukrainian people," he stressed.
According to the Minister of Defence, the defenders of Ukraine destroy more than 1,000 invaders every day and turn dozens of tanks, armoured personnel carriers and artillery systems into scrap metal.
"We are reinforcing the Defence Forces with the latest equipment, both Ukrainian and foreign. Defence industry enterprises are working at full capacity to ensure that our soldiers have what they need to fight. And there will be more of them," he assured.
