Ukraine enters second year of war with Russia

February 25, 2023

Ukraine enters its second year of war against Russian forces on Friday, marking the first anniversary of an invasion against which it displayed fierce resistance and, with the help of the West, inflicted unexpected setbacks on Vladimir Putin.

Russian troops entered Ukrainian territory in the early morning hours of February 24, 2022, sparking the worst conflict Europe has seen since World War II.

A year later, Ukrainian cities have been reduced to rubble, part of the country is under Russian occupation and both sides have more than 150,000 killed or injured each, according to Western estimates.

President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected with a press conference, while local ceremonies are planned in particular in Boutcha, in the suburbs of Kiev, the scene of a massacre of civilians attributed to Russian troops.

The UN General Assembly on Thursday demanded an “immediate” withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine, voting by an “overwhelming” majority for a resolution and calling for a “just and lasting” peace.

On Friday, China, which abstained in the vote, called on Moscow and kyiv to “resume direct dialogue as soon as possible” with a view to a “peaceful solution”.

In a document entitled “China’s position on the political settlement of the Ukrainian crisis”, Beijing, which has been seeking to play a role of mediator for several weeks, rejects any recourse to nuclear weapons, while Russian President Vladimir Putin has brandished this threat.

“We must oppose the threat or use of nuclear weapons” and “the parties (involved) in the conflict” must strictly comply with international humanitarian law, supports the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at a time when Washington and NATO are concerned about potential arms deliveries by China to Russia, which Beijing denies.

Ukrainian intelligence said it expected “large-scale provocations” from Moscow, including missile strikes.

In Paris, the Eiffel Tower was illuminated on Thursday evening in the yellow and blue colors of the Ukrainian flag.

In London, a minute of silence and a prayer in the presence of MPs and diplomats will take place before a march to the Russian Embassy.

In Germany, Chancellor Olaf Scholz will speak after a ceremony attended by the Ukrainian ambassador and a protest is planned outside the Russian Embassy and the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.

On the eve of the anniversary, Mr. Zelensky once again promised victory to the Ukrainians.

“We have not cracked, we have overcome many hardships and we will triumph. We will hold accountable all those who have brought this evil, this war on our land,” he said.

Although tested, the Ukrainians questioned Thursday remained convinced of their triumph.

“Victory will be ours and everything will be fine. I hope it will all be over soon,” said Sofia, 19, a resident of Kramatorsk in the east.

Oksana, 60, said she “lives in fear” and “waits for peace”. “We want the war to be over soon, we are tired of living like this,” she said.

Vladimir Putin did not wait for the anniversary of the conflict to castigate Westerners, whom he accuses of aggravating the conflict in the hope of “ending” Russia.

Far from backing down, he swore on Wednesday before the Russian parliament to “methodically” continue his offensive in Ukraine, in what he described as “historic lands” that should belong to his country.

Despite the difficulties on the front, the losses and the mobilization, the anniversary of the war is likely to make few waves in Russia, where any criticism of the army is severely repressed and the opposition is imprisoned or in exile.

On Thursday, Muscovites interviewed by AFP oscillated between despair and indifference.

“I don’t see any future. I don’t see the point of having children or developing my own brain. What’s the point?” Asks Rouslan Melnikov, a 28-year-old teacher.

Lioubov Iudina assures her that life “has not changed at all”, although friends have seen their sons mobilized. “Some died, that’s how it is,” said the 48-year-old security guard.

Russia now hopes to conquer the four regions for which it has claimed annexation and where the fighting is concentrated, in particular around the fortress city of Bakhmout, which is holding firm despite recent Russian advances.

Westerners, united in their support for kyiv, have adopted a shower of sanctions against Moscow, targeting its gas and oil revenues, its banking sector, air transport and the defense industry.

For a year, Europeans and Americans have offered more than 128 billion euros in aid to Ukraine, according to the Kiel Institute for the World economy.

On Thursday, Washington announced $2 billion in new military aid to Ukraine, without giving details.

At the same time, Westerners continue to take retaliatory measures.

The United States on Thursday promised new “considerable” sanctions against Moscow and the EU is preparing a tenth set of restrictions which will notably target Iranian companies accused of having supplied drones to Moscow.

Meeting in India, the finance ministers of the G7 countries discussed new sanctions and increased their economic support for kyiv, which was increased to 39 billion dollars for 2023.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak must, on Friday, during a videoconference, call on his G7 allies to provide artillery more quickly to the Ukrainian army and bring it longer-range weapons.