Deputy Defense Minister names Ukraine’s 10 major wins in one year since Russia’s invasion
“Russia failed to seize [the initiative] at sea, or in the air, or even maintain control of the territories that it captured at the start [of the invasion]. The Kremlin failed to achieve strategic success on either axis,” Ukraine’s Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar said Thursday.
“What about us? We are bearing wounds, we are tired yet unbreakable. We held out thanks to the strong spirit of our people, our longing for freedom, and unprecedented support from the democratic world. Allies from across the globe support Ukraine in its fight, and that gives us more motivation and strength. Ukraine is clearly advancing along the Euro-Atlantic path. We’ve come a way from preparing Molotov cocktails on February 24, 2022 to training Ukrainian tank crews today, on February 23, 2023, as Ukraine is to receive Western tanks,” Malyar said. She named Ukraine’s 10 major wins since invasion.
1. Successful defense of Kyiv, Chernihiv, and Sumy between February and April 2022.
2. Civilians massively resist against the Russian occupying forces in the areas they seized.
3. Recapturing Russian-occupied parts of Kyiv, Chernihiv, and Sumy regions between March and April 2022.
4. Sinking of the Moskva, Russia’s flagship Black Sea missile cruiser in April 2022.
5. Regaining control of the Zmiinyi Island in June 2022.
6. Disruption of Russian supply lines in the south and east of Ukraine between June and August 2022.
7. Recapturing the areas in Kharkiv region in September and October 2022.
8. Regaining control of Kherson region and the city of Kherson between September and November 2022.
9. Growing efficiency of Ukraine’s air defenses between October 2022 and February 2023.
10. Restraining Russian advance in eastern Ukraine between December 2022 and February 2023.
“We acknowledge the high price that our nation is paying for freedom. We thank all who continue to fight and defend our Fatherland. We thank all the brave Ukrainians who are holding out at their front. Our fight for the right to live goes on for 52 weeks and more than 8,700 hours!” Malyar said.
“The enemy continues its offensive in the east, launching incessant attacks. The situation is tense. Our service members oppose the occupying force in achieving their goals and inflict heavy losses on them. Our soldiers make extraordinary efforts and perform daily feats,” the Deputy Defense Minister said.
Ukrainians name most reassuring events in one year since invasion
Ukrainians name the recapturing of Kherson region and the city of Kherson (19 per cent), and of Kharkiv region (nine per cent) as happiest and most reassuring events since war began, a survey conducted by Gradus Research between February 17 and 20 finds.
Some 14 per cent of Ukrainians say they are optimistic as the country gets foreign assistance with funds and weapons.
Seventeen per cent of Ukrainians say Russia’s missile strikes against the cities are the scariest event since the invasion. Torture and murder of civilians (12 per cent), and the first day of war (11 per cent) are some of the responses obtained through the survey.
Nearly two-thirds (72 per cent) of Ukrainians say that Ukraine is living through most difficult times now, or these times still lie ahead.
The pollster conducted an app-based survey, collecting responses from 1,151 respondents. The sample represents adults ages 18 to 60, residents of a city of more than 50,000 people.
Russia launches 5,000 missiles, conducts 3,500 airstrikes against Ukraine in one year since invasion, Ukraine’s General Staff says
Russia has fired almost 5,000 missiles into Ukraine since the full-scale invasion began last year, Deputy Chief of the Main Operational Directorate of Ukraine’s General Staff, Brigadier General Oleksiy Hromov said Thursday.
“The Russian forces have carried out almost 5,000 missile and 3,500 airstrikes against Ukraine since Russia began a full-scale invasion,” he told a news conference.
Almost 1,100 drone strikes have targeted the country, he added.
As Russia began to experience shortage of precision missiles, its troops are increasingly using Kh-22 supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles, known as “aircraft carrier killers” against apartment buildings, Hromov said.
Throughout February, the Ukrainian troops shot down six Russian aircraft, two helicopters, 80 cruise missiles, and 84 drones.
The Kremlin’s goals have not changed, Hromov said. Russia has set the goal of capturing key cities of Donetsk region, and all of Luhansk and Donetsk regions by summer, he said.
Regional journalists reflect on a year of the full scale war. Part Three. Ukraine in Flames #350
All of us look back and try to remember who we were before the full-scale russian invasion. Sometimes, we don’t even recognize the people we became – in some cases we are surprised by the strength and stamina we discovered in ourselves, and in other – we are disappointed that fear and hatred took over us in critical moments. Watch Ukraine in flames #350 to reflect on this year and find out how the war changed the life of regional journalists from different parts of Ukraine.
Guests:
- Nadiya Kolenchenko, “Znamianski Visti”, Znamianka, Kirovohrad region
- Iryna Nazarchuk, freelance, Odesa
- Oksana Lymar, “Vizyt Venal”, Nikopol, Dnipropetrovsk region
- Ihor Danylov, freelance, Mykolaiv
