Ukraine commemorates the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion today, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy praising the nation’s remarkable bravery amidst the ongoing conflict.
Despite ongoing peace negotiations, which have yet to bring about a resolution to Europe’s largest conflict since World War II, Ukraine finds itself at a critical juncture. Zelenskyy highlighted the significance of the day, stating, “Today marks exactly four years since Putin initiated his three-day offensive to capture Kyiv. This milestone speaks volumes about our resilience and the relentless determination of the Ukrainian people.”
Reflecting on the past and the ongoing struggle, Zelenskyy emphasized the collective strength and unwavering spirit of the Ukrainian population in defending their independence and sovereignty against Russian aggression.
Moreover, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed solidarity with Ukraine on this somber anniversary, reaffirming the UK’s unwavering support for the country. Starmer reassured Ukraine of Britain’s commitment to providing military, humanitarian, and reconstruction assistance until a just and lasting peace is achieved, asserting that Russia will not prevail in the conflict.
Zelenskyy reiterated in a social media post, “Looking back at the start of the invasion and contemplating the present, we can proudly declare that we have safeguarded our independence and statehood. Putin’s objectives remain unfulfilled. Ukraine remains intact, and we are determined to pursue peace and justice relentlessly. Glory to Ukraine!”
The full-scale invasion by Russia in Ukraine four years ago followed its illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014, resulting in the occupation of a significant portion of Ukrainian territory by the Kremlin. Despite US-mediated talks between Moscow and Kyiv, critical differences concerning the future of the occupied regions and post-war security measures have impeded progress towards a resolution.
The conflict has taken a heavy toll on both sides, with Russia reportedly sustaining around 1.2 million casualties, including a substantial number of troop fatalities, between February 2022 and December 2025. On the other hand, Ukraine has witnessed approximately 500,000 to 600,000 military casualties, with up to 140,000 fatalities, according to estimates by the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
Zelenskyy recently disclosed that 55,000 Ukrainian soldiers have lost their lives in the conflict, with many others still missing. The past year marked the highest civilian death toll in Ukraine since 2022, with the UN reporting 2,514 civilian fatalities and 12,142 injuries in 2025, signifying a 31% rise in civilian casualties compared to the previous year.
At Reach and across our entities we and our partners use information collected through cookies and other identifiers from your device to improve experience on our site, analyse how it is used and to show personalised advertising. You can opt out of the sale or sharing of your data, at any time clicking the “Do Not Sell or Share my Data” button at the bottom of the webpage. Please note that your preferences are browser specific. Use of our website and any of our services represents your acceptance of the use of cookies and