On February 24, 2025, Ukrainians marked a painful milestone as the third anniversary of Russia's invasion. President Volodymyr Zelensky released a poignant video tribute, acknowledging the sacrifices made by his people and honoring those who lost their lives in the conflict. No major events were planned, as the day was devoted to reflecting on the heavy toll of the past three years.
Ukraine Reflects on Three Years of War: A Mourning Nation
Ukraine Reflects on Three Years of War: A Mourning Nation
As Ukraine observes the somber third anniversary of the Russian invasion, President Zelensky leads a day of remembrance for the lost lives and shared suffering.
Among those feeling the weight of the day was Olha Shtepan, a Ukrainian refugee living in Hamburg, Germany. As she walked to her job at a supermarket, she recounted the emotional scars left by the invasion, which began on February 24, 2022. On that fateful day, Shtepan was in Kyiv babysitting her sister's children while her own were with their father in Irpin, a town that fell under Russian control early in the war. The urgency of family prompted her to rush into an increasingly dangerous situation, where she faced uncertainty and fear.
Reflecting on her harrowing escape with a group of children across a destroyed bridge, she remarked, "At that time, I did not know that we are going to hell." After enduring the chaos of bombings and evacuating to Germany, Shtepan still feels the emotional aftermath of the events in February. "For all Ukrainians who experienced these horrors, it’s a terrible month,” she lamented.
Throughout Ukraine, numerous memorials serve as chilling reminders of the war’s devastation. Some of these, like abandoned vehicles left behind by those trying to flee, have remained unchanged since 2022. Additional tributes are taking shape as the conflict lingers. Recently, a public organization titled "Ukraine Wow" revealed an animated installation of 12-foot-high hearts at Kyiv's central railway station, which pulse in response to messages from loved ones who have died in the war, emphasizing the enduring pain felt by individuals and families across the nation.
As Ukraine continues to navigate the challenges of war, the day remains a poignant reminder of the courage, resilience, and heartache borne by its people.
Reflecting on her harrowing escape with a group of children across a destroyed bridge, she remarked, "At that time, I did not know that we are going to hell." After enduring the chaos of bombings and evacuating to Germany, Shtepan still feels the emotional aftermath of the events in February. "For all Ukrainians who experienced these horrors, it’s a terrible month,” she lamented.
Throughout Ukraine, numerous memorials serve as chilling reminders of the war’s devastation. Some of these, like abandoned vehicles left behind by those trying to flee, have remained unchanged since 2022. Additional tributes are taking shape as the conflict lingers. Recently, a public organization titled "Ukraine Wow" revealed an animated installation of 12-foot-high hearts at Kyiv's central railway station, which pulse in response to messages from loved ones who have died in the war, emphasizing the enduring pain felt by individuals and families across the nation.
As Ukraine continues to navigate the challenges of war, the day remains a poignant reminder of the courage, resilience, and heartache borne by its people.
