Four Years On, Zelenskyy Says Putin ‘Did Not Win This War’ as Ukraine Marks Anniversary of Russia’s Invasion
Kyiv, Ukraine — Ukraine commemorated the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion on 24 February 2022 with solemn ceremonies, international statements of support, and a powerful address by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reflecting on the nation’s struggle, resilience and hopes for the future after 1,461 days of war. In his speech, Zelenskyy told citizens and the world that Putin has not achieved his goals and has not won the war, despite the immense human, economic and territorial costs of the conflict that has reshaped European security.
Zelenskyy’s Message on the Anniversary
In a video address that resonated across Ukraine and beyond, Zelenskyy recounted the shock and fear of that first day of invasion, calling 24 February 2022 “the longest day of our lives.” He described how, in those early hours, Ukrainians — from soldiers on the frontlines to everyday civilians in cities under attack — confronted the overwhelming shock of a brutal assault that Moscow had hoped would succeed quickly and decisively, capturing Kyiv within days.
But fast forward four years, he said, and the story is very different from what Russian planners anticipated. Zelenskyy emphasised that Ukraine has defended its independence, preserved its statehood, and resisted at every turn — even if the cost has been staggering in lives lost and territory occupied. “Putin has not broken Ukrainians; he has not won this war,” Zelenskyy said, underlining that the invasion failed to deliver the quick victory Moscow envisioned when its forces crossed the border.
Zelenskyy paid tribute to the courage of ordinary people — from soldiers on the frontlines holding positions against overwhelming odds to families sheltering during bombardments in basement shelters — and recalled how Ukrainian society, driven by unity and resolve, helped blunt the expected rapid Russian advance in those first critical weeks. He highlighted how citizens turned out to support defence efforts, volunteer networks formed overnight, and ordinary Ukrainians refused to give up their homeland despite fear and adversity.
War’s Human and Strategic Toll
Although the war has not resulted in a Russian victory, its toll has been immense and continues to mount with each passing day. The conflict — Europe’s deadliest since World War II — has inflicted vast human suffering, with tens of thousands of civilian casualties, hundreds of thousands of military deaths, and millions displaced by the fighting, creating a refugee crisis that has tested European solidarity.
Entire cities have been reduced to rubble, industrial infrastructure destroyed, and the economic cost to Ukraine is estimated in the hundreds of billions of dollars. The environmental damage from fighting will take generations to address.
Despite this, Ukraine’s military and society has adapted and fought tenaciously, learning and evolving throughout the conflict. Zelenskyy’s government and international partners have worked to strengthen Ukraine’s armed forces with modern weapons and defensive systems that were unimaginable in the earliest days of the war. Ukrainian forces now operate sophisticated air defence systems and domestically produced weapons that were unimaginable in the earliest days of the war, helping blunt aerial attacks and bolster battlefield effectiveness against a larger adversary.
International Support and Diplomatic Context
The anniversary was marked not only in Kyiv but also by international leaders reaffirming their support, with high-profile visits demonstrating continued commitment. Officials from the European Union, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, visited Ukraine to underline continued solidarity — both military and financial — even as Europe’s unity has faced occasional challenges from domestic politics and competing priorities. For example, efforts to pass a new sanctions package and a multi-billion-euro aid plan were stalled due to disagreements among EU member states, highlighting the diplomatic complexities of sustained support.
Von der Leyen and other European leaders publicly reiterated that support will continue “until peace is restored — and peace on Ukraine’s terms,” stressing that Kyiv’s right to self-determination and territorial integrity must be respected and not bargained away in any settlement.
Despite such backing, peace talks with Moscow remain stalled, with both sides rigid on core demands such as the future of the Donbas — eastern Ukraine’s industrial region that Russian forces largely control after years of fighting — and the post-war security guarantees Kyiv insists are necessary to prevent future aggression from a revanchist Russia.
Continuing Conflict and Future Challenges
On the battlefield, fighting continues with neither side able to force a decisive outcome that would end the war. Russia’s initial strategy of rapid domination collapsed early in the war thanks to Ukrainian resistance, and subsequent campaigns have resulted in a grinding war of attrition that has consumed vast resources and lives. Western officials have noted that Russian territorial gains in recent years have been limited and costly, even as the conflict drags into its fifth year with no end in sight.
Both sides have adapted their tactics, with drone warfare, electronic warfare, and artillery duels characterising much of the fighting along static front lines.
Zelenskyy’s address was clear that Ukraine seeks “a strong, dignified and lasting peace,” but he also made clear that peace cannot come at the cost of Ukrainian sovereignty or justice for victims of the invasion and its many documented atrocities. He emphasised that any peace agreement must be accepted by Ukrainians and reflect the nation’s rights and sacrifices, not concessions forced by military pressure or diplomatic compromise that would leave Ukraine vulnerable to future attacks.
The Human Cost Remembered
Across Ukraine, ceremonies honoured those who have died. In Kyiv’s Maidan Square, the site of so many pivotal moments in Ukraine’s modern history, citizens laid flowers and lit candles. In cities across the country, church bells tolled for the fallen.
For the millions displaced, the anniversary brings painful memories of homes abandoned and lives interrupted. For soldiers on the front lines, it marks another day of holding the line.
Looking Ahead
As Ukraine marks this somber anniversary, the war’s end remains uncertain and distant. The conflict has reshaped European security dynamics, reinforced the strategic importance of alliances like NATO, and underscored the limits of diplomacy when faced with entrenched territorial ambitions backed by military force. Yet, for Kyiv and its supporters, the core message is that Russia’s invasion has not succeeded in breaking Ukraine — a nation that continues to fight for its future and its place in Europe.
The words of Zelenskyy on this symbolic day reflect both pride in Ukrainian resilience and a sobering recognition that the struggle for peace, security and justice remains unfinished. The road ahead is long, but Ukraine remains determined.
Four years of war. A nation unbowed. The fight continues.
