//Ukraine Marks Three Years of War With Reflection and Resilience//
As Ukraine reaches the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion, the mood across the country is one of solemn remembrance rather than grand ceremonies. President Volodymyr Zelensky led the nation in honoring the fallen, acknowledging the profound losses endured by Ukrainians since February 24, 2022.
A Day of Reflection
President Zelensky, joined by First Lady Olena Zelenska and leaders from allied nations, visited Kyiv’s Maidan Square on Monday. The commemoration was simple but powerful—candles were placed in memory of those who had lost their lives in the ongoing conflict.
A few blocks away, at a memorial wall covered with hundreds of photographs of fallen soldiers, civilians paid their respects. Among them was Olha Vitko, 45, who whispered, “Sleep in peace, boys,” as she gazed at the faces of Ukraine’s lost defenders.
Denys Riapolov, a 32-year-old soldier, passed by the wall, expressing his deep sorrow. “I feel only horror and sorrow,” he said. While he remains hopeful for victory, he acknowledged the harsh reality: “Unfortunately, it will not happen soon.”
A War Without an End in Sight
Ukraine’s struggle continues amid increasing concerns over shifting geopolitical alliances. Recent remarks by former U.S. President Donald Trump, suggesting a pivot toward Russian President Vladimir Putin, have heightened anxieties among Ukrainians and their allies. Many fear that Ukraine’s future hangs in the balance as global support wavers.
For Ukrainian soldiers like drone pilot Vlad Krupko, 26, this anniversary was particularly difficult. “If the world truly values democracy, human rights, and tolerance, they must stand with Ukraine,” he said. “This war is a lesson in what those values truly mean.”
The pain of the war extends far beyond Ukraine’s borders. In Hamburg, Germany, Ukrainian refugee Olha Shtepan found herself overwhelmed with emotion while commuting to work. “It’s a wound that doesn’t heal,” she said. “Sometimes, I manage to not think about everything that has happened, but today, it’s unbearable.”
Three years ago, when the invasion began, Ms. Shtepan was babysitting her sister’s children in Kyiv. Her own children were with her husband in Irpin, a suburb that was soon occupied by Russian forces. In a desperate attempt to reunite her family, she rushed into danger rather than away from it.
“At that time, I didn’t know we were walking into hell,” she recalled.
After weeks of relentless bombings, they managed to escape, crossing a ruined bridge that later became an infamous symbol of the war’s brutality. Though she and her family found safety in Germany, the scars remain. “February is a terrible month for us, for all Ukrainians who lived through that horror,” she said.
Honoring the Fallen
Across Ukraine, memorials to those who have perished in the war continue to emerge. Some, like the wreckage of destroyed cars left untouched in the countryside, serve as raw reminders of the conflict’s human toll. Others, like newly built tributes, are expressions of a nation’s determination to remember.
One particularly poignant tribute is a 12-foot-high animated heart sculpture at Kyiv’s central railway station. Created by the organization Ukraine Wow, the sculpture collects messages from people remembering loved ones lost to the war. With each message received, the heart beats faster.
On Monday, the sculpture pulsed steadily, displaying heartfelt tributes:
- “Maksym Lyzya, your smile is always with us.”
- “My dear brother Vyacheslav Makarets, 48, I am proud of you and I miss you.”
- “Sofiyka Holynska, forever 6.”
A Nation United in Grief and Strength
Despite the pain, Ukraine remains steadfast. The anniversary is not just a time to mourn, but also a moment to reaffirm resilience. In cities and towns across the country, people continue their daily lives under the shadow of war, determined not to let the conflict define them.
As the war enters its fourth year, Ukrainians hold onto hope—hope that the world will not turn away, that justice will be served, and that peace will one day return to their homeland.
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