Next Friday, February 24, marks one year since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine escalated into a full-scale war. The conflict has its roots in 2014 with the annexation of Crimea and the fighting in Donbas, but it was on February 24, 2022, that Moscow launched a large-scale assault that changed the region’s trajectory. Vladimir Putin directed the military onslaught, aiming to force Kyiv to surrender quickly.
The initial plan to seize Kyiv almost immediately failed, giving way to a prolonged war fought on multiple fronts. Western nations responded by imposing sanctions on Russia and supplying Ukraine with military aid to stop the advance. The videos accompanying this piece capture the human cost and the harsh realities faced by people living through the past year of fighting.
Kiev Endures a Russian Siege
On February 24, Russia began what officials called a special operation across several border points, and bombardments began soon after in the capital. In the early hours of February 25, a blast shattered a Kyiv apartment block, waking residents with a sudden, terrifying interruption. Dozens were injured, and the authorities attributed the strike to a Russian missile attack as Ukrainian forces fought to halt the push toward the city center, which remained under threat just days into the siege.
Throughout the spring, Ukrainian defenders confronted relentless bombardments as the siege spread from north to south. The capital faced increasing danger with airstrikes and ground assaults pressing closer to the heart of Kyiv.
Humanitarian Corridors and Eastern Fronts
Russia’s occupation deepened its violence, including airstrikes on Irpin and continued bombardments around Kyiv. Northern, eastern, and southern fronts saw relentless fighting and the assault of towns like Bila Tserkva. In the northeast, cities faced shelling that disrupted civilian life, and Kharkiv and surrounding areas endured heavy bombardments as Russian forces pressed forward.
The ceasefire attempts around Mariupol, intended to create humanitarian corridors for hundreds of thousands, repeatedly broke down. Ukrainian officials reported heavy artillery strikes around Volnovakha and Zaporizhia, complicating relief efforts and intensifying civilian hardship in the east.
Nuclear Fear at Zaporizhzhia
Early March brought warnings around Europe’s largest nuclear plant in Zaporizhzhia, where powerful lights and the presence of armored vehicles signaled Vladimir Putin’s strategy. Firefighters faced restricted access as safety provisions were compromised. The situation heightened concerns about nuclear safety and regional security, with Kyiv urging Europe to remain vigilant. The war’s toll extended beyond battlefield losses to the steady erosion of everyday life across cities.
Within days, Kharkiv and nearby towns bore the scars of intense fighting, and Chernihiv faced damage as the conflict spread through the region, reshaping the skyline and displacing residents.
Two Weeks of War
Two weeks into the conflict, the fighting broadened, and airstrikes intensified on multiple fronts. Zhytomyr was attacked again as Russian forces pressed toward Kyiv. Civilians faced danger as the military movements disrupted daily life, and hospitals in cities like Izium suffered significant damage as the war raged on.
Ukraine Stands Firm as Putin Holds Ground
Ukraine delayed, but did not concede. Ukrainian artillery, drones, and a stubborn defense checked ground advances, while urban landscapes endured the consequences of months of bombardment. The conflict’s narrative shifted into a broader struggle between land and air power, with the world watching closely as narratives and footage circulated globally. The human cost remained the central concern amid the dramatic military activity.
Bucha Massacre
In early April, harrowing reports emerged detailing atrocities in Bucha after its liberation. Hundreds of bodies appeared in streets and makeshift graves, with some discoveries chilling in their finality. Survivors recounted personal losses, sharing the trauma of finding loved ones and the emotional toll of a community torn apart by violence.
Azovstal and the Siege in Mariupol
In a dramatic chapter, civilians and fighters sheltered in the Azovstal steelworks endured a brutal siege. Living conditions were dire, with limited medical supplies and challenging survival conditions for those sheltering in basements. The ordeal highlighted the human cost of prolonged sieges and the resilience of people under siege conditions.
Kharkiv and the Battle for Ukraine’s Second City
The struggle around Kharkiv showcased the city’s strategic importance and the heavy toll on civilians as bombardments targeted neighborhoods and key institutions. From Melitopol to Chernihiv, the war’s reach stretched across the northeast and south, underscoring the widespread disruption and the urgent need for humanitarian relief.
Escalated Siege Across Ukraine
A major blast near a fuel facility underscored the danger many towns faced as the war intensified. Moscow’s forces sought to encircle Kyiv, while strikes on southern towns and critical infrastructure disrupted power and water supplies. Authorities reported both battlefield gains and setbacks as Ukrainian forces mounted resistance, with some regions reporting stepwise retakes and others facing renewed pressure.
Ukraine’s Countermoves and Regional Backlash
Ukraine reported regained territory and defensive successes, with several towns liberated and the national posture shifting toward defense and counteroffensives. International partners pledged continued military support to sustain Ukraine’s defense, and the broader geopolitical response grew more complex as countries weighed security commitments and sanctions.
Arming Ukraine and the NATO Promise
Continued international support included increased arms shipments and air defense capabilities. NATO partners stressed the need for rapid provisioning of munitions, armor, and anti-air systems to sustain Ukraine’s defense. The alliance discussed strengthening eastern defenses and enhancing coordination with member states, while some observers noted the risk of further escalation and the global implications of ongoing arms supply.