Over 50 countries condemn Russian aggression on the 2nd anniversary of full-scale invasion. Over 50 countries have united in condemnation of Russian aggression in Ukraine. This firm stance was articulated in a statement marking the 10th anniversary since its onset and the second anniversary of the commencement of full-scale aggression. The text, delivered in English by Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba in New York, was later made available in Ukrainian by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the evening of February 23. Signed on behalf of 51 governments, including members of the European Union, the United States, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Paraguay, Uruguay, South Korea, and the Federated States of Micronesia, the statement underscores that Russian aggression traces its origins to the annexation of Crimea on February 20, 2014. It also references a series of rulings from the International Court of Justice, which obligated Russia to halt its unlawful actions: “We emphasise the International Court’s order for provisional measures issued on March 16, 2022, which demands Russia’s immediate cessation of the military operation initiated on February 24, 2022, within Ukrainian territory. This order remains legally binding and must be adhered to by the Russian Federation.”
RFE/RL: Hungary blocked the EU statement on the Russian invasion. Countries of the European Union failed to reach a consensus on a joint statement for the second anniversary of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, with Hungary blocking the agreement, according to Radio Free Europe in Europe. “Hungary has blocked the EU’s proposed joint statement marking the second anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. It seems likely that only the leaders of the three EU institutions—the Council of the EU, the European Commission, and the European Parliament—will issue a joint statement,” he wrote on the social media platform X. For an EU statement to be released, all 27 member states must give their approval. Budapest took a stand against the prepared text, with one diplomat unofficially stating that the wording was “too strong for their liking.”
European leaders in Kyiv. Today, on February 24, the prime ministers of four G7 countries, the President of the European Commission, and the former head of the government of the United Kingdom arrived in Kyiv. The prime ministers of Italy (Giorgia Meloni), Canada (Justin Trudeau), and Belgium (Alexander De Croo), as well as the President of the European Commission (Ursula von der Leyen), arrived in Kyiv. They travelled to the Ukrainian capital overnight by train from neighbouring Poland to express solidarity with Ukraine on the second anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion. “In Kyiv to mark the anniversary of the 2nd year of Russia’s war on Ukraine. And to celebrate the extraordinary resistance of the Ukrainian people. More than ever, we stand firmly by Ukraine. Financially, economically, militarily, morally. Until the country is finally free”, Ursula von der Leyen wrote on X. Later today, Meloni is scheduled to hold a video conference from Kyiv, with the leaders of the G7 countries in attendance. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will also be invited to join the discussion.
Additionally, former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has also arrived in Kyiv. He mentioned that it is an honour to be here, in Ukraine, on the second anniversary of Putin’s invasion. “On this grim second anniversary of Putin’s invasion, I am honoured to be here in Ukraine. With their indomitable courage, I have no doubt that the Ukrainians will win and expel Putin’s forces – provided we give them the military, political and economic help that they need.”
Zelenskyy speaks from Hostomel, where Russians planned to “capture Kyiv in 3 days”. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed Ukrainians from Hostomel in the Kyiv region on the occasion of the second anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. He pointed out that it was from Hostomel that the attempt by Russian forces to take Kyiv began. “Two years ago, we met the enemy’s landing here; two years later, we are here welcoming our friends and our partners. And this symbolically and eloquently describes the path we have travelled over these two years, and the difference between February 24 then and now,” he stated. Zelenskyy also added that despite the desire to end the war, it is crucial for it to conclude on Ukraine’s terms. “That is why we always add “on our terms” to the phrase about “ending the war.” That is why “just” always accompanies the word “peace”. That is why, in future history, the word “independent” will always stand alongside “Ukraine”. We fight for this. For 730 days of our lives already. And we will prevail. On the best day of our lives,” he stated.
Kyiv’s mayor publishes statistics of the full-scale Russian invasion. Kyiv Mayor Klitschko details the city’s resilience in two years of war, highlighting a video on his Telegram channel capturing the lead-up to the Russian invasion. “For a decade, Ukraine has resisted Russian aggression. We honour our fallen defenders, aid their families, support our troops, rebuild our city, and ensure its functioning. I thank Kyiv’s people for their unity during the conflict’s onset, ensuring our city’s endurance. Gratitude to those providing essential services and our brave soldiers fighting for Ukraine’s freedom. Our strength: unwavering commitment to truth, justice, and freedom.” The Mayor of Kyiv has released figures detailing the realities of life in the capital during two years of full-scale war.
According to him, since February 24, 2022, in Kyiv, the city has endured air raid sirens sounding 989 times; nearly 800 residential buildings were left damaged, alongside 122 educational institutions, 18 healthcare facilities, and 17 social service centres affected by the conflict. The Kyiv Rescue Service carried out 156 missions, responding swiftly to the aftermath of rocket attacks within the capital. Emergency medical teams rushed to the scenes of 1,741 rocket and drone attacks, providing vital assistance to 1,034 patients, including 36 children. The loss of nearly 200 civilian lives in the capital, a devastating toll that includes 6 children, reflects the harsh reality of the conflict. Currently, almost 209,500 internally displaced persons are registered in Kyiv, among them approximately 46,000 children, highlighting the scale of displacement and its impact on families. Over 8,000 Kyiv residents received crucial daily aid from the Humanitarian Headquarters of Kyiv during the initial months of the conflict, with internally displaced persons and pensioners in the capital benefiting from nearly 200,000 additional food kits distributed by the headquarters. The metro system served as a refuge, sheltering approximately 70,000 Kyiv residents during tense moments of air raid alerts. Over 14,000 trees were planted throughout the city, symbolising hope and renewal amidst the challenges. Life continued amidst the turmoil, with 48,267 couples tying the knot and 6,476 couples parting ways through divorce. A total of 36,620 newborns came into the world.
British intelligence: Russian losses match or surpass initial deployments in Ukraine. The losses suffered by the Russian army over the past two years have now matched and often surpassed the levels of tanks, personnel, and armoured combat vehicles initially deployed by Russia in Ukraine at the outset of the full-scale war. However, at present, the occupying forces are operating with a larger number of troops than in 2022. At the commencement of the full-scale conflict, Russia had dispatched approximately 130 battalion tactical groups for the invasion of Ukraine. Intelligence reports suggest this comprised roughly 1,300 tanks, over 5,000 infantry fighting vehicles and armoured personnel carriers, and at least 100,000 liquidated personnel. According to the UK intelligence report, over these two years, Russia’s losses have equalled — and in many instances exceeded — those of its original force. The report indicated that confirmed equipment losses for Russia include over 2,700 tanks, 5,000 BMPs and BTRs. The total estimated count of killed and wounded Russian soldiers is close to 350,000 individuals. Despite these figures, the mobilisation efforts, production capacity, and replenishment of reserves in Russia have evidently compensated for the losses, as noted by British sources. UK Ministry of Defence emphasised that presently, the Russian forces in Ukraine outnumber those at the onset of the [full-scale] conflict. This now enables Russia to sustain attacks across the front lines and pursue a strategy of attrition against Ukrainian forces.
