Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his gratitude for the “absolute heroism” of Ukrainians over the past three years defending the country against Russia’s invasion, of which Monday marked the third anniversary.
“Three years of resistance,” Zelensky wrote in a statement on social media. “Three years of gratitude. Three years of absolute heroism of Ukrainians.”
“I am proud of Ukraine! I thank everyone who defends and supports it,” Zelensky wrote. “Everyone who works for Ukraine. And may the memory of all those who gave their lives for our state and people be eternal.”
A dozen leaders from Europe and Canada visited Ukraine’s capital Monday to mark the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion in a show of continued support from some of Kyiv’s most important allies.
The visitors were greeted at the train station by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and the president’s chief of staff, Andrii Yermak. Among the visitors were European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
In a post on X, von der Leyen wrote that Europe was in Kyiv “because Ukraine is in Europe.”
“In this fight for survival, it is not only the destiny of Ukraine that is at stake. It’s Europe’s destiny,” she wrote.
The guests, also including European Council President Antonio Costa as well as the prime ministers of Northern European countries and Spain, were set to attend events dedicated to the anniversary and discuss supporting Ukraine with President Volodymyr Zelensky amid a recent US policy shift under President Donald Trump.
In the latest sign of Europe’s efforts to rework its strategy on Ukraine to respond to Trump’s actions, Costa on Sunday announced that he would convene an emergency summit of the 27 EU leaders in Brussels on March 6, with Ukraine at the top of the agenda.
As of February 24, 2025, marking the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the conflict has resulted in significant human and material losses.
Russia launched a record 267 drones into Ukraine very early Sunday, destroying infrastructure and killing at least three people the day before the world was to mark the third year of Moscow’s invasion.
Zelensky said on social media that it was “the largest attack since Iranian drones began hitting Ukrainian cities and villages.”
Ukraine’s air force said 138 drones were shot down over 13 Ukrainian regions, with 119 more lost en route to their targets.
Effects of the Russia-Ukraine war
Casualties:
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Ukrainian Military: President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that over 46,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed on the battlefield since the invasion began.
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Russian Military: Estimates of Russian military casualties vary. The US Department of Defense has reported that over 172,000 Russian soldiers have been killed and 611,000 wounded.
Other sources suggest figures ranging from 60,000 to 100,000 killed and 400,000 wounded.
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Civilian Casualties: The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has verified 41,783 civilian casualties in Ukraine since February 24, 2022, including 12,605 killed and 29,178 injured.
However, the actual numbers are believed to be higher due to reporting delays and challenges in conflict zones.
Displacement:
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Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs): As of January 2024, an estimated 3.7 million people were internally displaced within Ukraine.
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Refugees: 6.3 million Ukrainians have been recorded as refugees abroad, seeking asylum in various countries.
Infrastructure and Humanitarian Impact:
The war has caused extensive damage to Ukraine’s infrastructure, including residential buildings, schools, hospitals, and cultural sites. The conflict has also led to significant economic disruptions, with millions of people in need of humanitarian assistance. The United Nations estimates that 14.6 million people require humanitarian aid, highlighting the severe impact on the civilian population.
These figures underscore the profound human and societal toll of the conflict, which continues to affect millions of lives both within Ukraine and globally.
To express Georgian citizens’ solidarity towards Ukraine, a rally will be held in Tbilisi today. Citizens will first gather at the Embassy of Ukraine at 19:00 and then march towards Rustaveli Avenue, to unite in front of the parliament building.
