1,000 days of resilience: Ukraine’s journey of courage amidst Russian aggression

What could one possibly achieve in 1,000 days? It’s enough time to learn a new language, earn a degree, start a family, raise a child through infancy, build a new home or create a lasting change in the community. For Ukraine however, these 1,000 days have been an unrelenting battle for its survival, freedom, sovereignty and universal values. When Russia launched its full-scale invasion on 24 February 2022, the Kremlin arrogantly declared that it would seize Kyiv within three days and subdue the nation within ten. Instead, the world has witnessed an extraordinary story of defiance, resilience and transformation.

These 1,000 days have seen Ukraine evolve in ways unimaginable before February 2022. Ukraine’s once underestimated Armed Forces are now regarded as one of the most effective and innovative militaries in Europe. Leveraging advanced Western technologies and their own ingenuity, they have halted Russian advances, reclaimed vast swathes of territory and carried out daring operations deep behind enemy lines, including attacks on the Black Sea Fleet.

Ukraine’s defence industry has surged under wartime conditions, producing cutting-edge drones, modernising existing military equipment and collaborating with international allies to pioneer advancements in defence technology. Beyond the battlefield, Ukraine has become a symbol of resilience and creativity, with citizens volunteering, innovating and standing united in ways that inspire the world.

Yet, this transformation has come at an unbearable cost. According to the United Nations, over 10,000 civilians have been killed, including 600 children; and the real numbers are likely to be much higher. Thousands more are missing or imprisoned, subjected to torture and abuse in Russian-controlled territories. At least 100 civilians have died in Russian captivity, including at least one child. Over 19,500 Ukrainian children have been forcibly deported to Russia or occupied areas, many subjected to Russification efforts that erase their Ukrainian identity –  actions that constitute genocide under international law.

The bravery of Ukraine’s defenders has been met with devastating losses. Ukrainian officials have reported over 70,000 casualties among its Armed Forces. Entire towns and cities – Mariupol, Bakhmut, Avdiivka – and others have been reduced to rubble, and many more bear the scars of Russian bombardment, with tens of thousands of civilians killed in targeted assaults, reminiscent of the destructions during the Second World War.

The destruction of critical infrastructure has been catastrophic. Over 167,000 homes, 384 hospitals and 3,500 schools, universities and daycare centres have been destroyed. Ukraine’s energy infrastructure has been a primary target, with power plants, transmission lines and substations sustaining billions in damage. The cumulative cost of rebuilding Ukraine has been estimated at over $500bn, a figure that grows with every passing day of this devastating war.

Environmental degradation is another tragic consequence. The bombing of industrial sites, chemical plants and pipelines has led to widespread contamination of land and water, threatening ecosystems for generations. Forest fires caused by shelling have destroyed vast areas, while the Kakhovka Dam explosion flooded thousands of hectares, displacing communities and wreaking havoc on local agriculture.

Russia’s war has also devastated Ukraine’s cultural heritage. UNESCO has confirmed damage to dozens of historical landmarks, museums and religious sites. Beyond physical destruction, the war has targeted the very essence of Ukrainian identity, with the systematic suppression of the Ukrainian language and culture in occupied territories.

Ukraine’s survival thus far would not have been possible without the steadfast support of its allies. Western allies have led efforts to provide Ukraine with advanced weaponry, financial aid, and humanitarian assistance. NATO and the EU have stood firmly with Ukraine, as have countless individuals and organisations worldwide.

Still, Ukraine urgently needs additional air defence systems, long-range weaponry and logistical support to defend its people and reclaim its temporarily-occupied territories. The international community must recognise that continued support for Ukraine is not just an act of solidarity; it is an essential investment in global security, democracy and economic stability.

A failure to adequately support Ukraine would have profound and far-reaching consequences. Weakening Ukraine’s defence would embolden not only Russia but also other authoritarian regimes, setting a precedent that aggression pays off. This would destabilise the international order and encourage further acts of expansionism, posing an existential threat to Europe’s peace and security. Allowing Ukraine to falter could escalate regional conflicts and increase the likelihood of a wider European war. NATO would face heightened risks on its eastern flank, necessitating significantly higher defence expenditures and long-term militarisation across the continent. Furthermore, without Ukraine as a bulwark, Russia’s hybrid warfare tactics – cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns and political interference – would pose even greater challenges to Western democracies. These are just a few, but not all, probable consequences of Ukraine’s loss in this war of aggression.

In contrast, bolstering Ukraine’s defence and recovery offers long-term benefits for global stability. A free and thriving Ukraine would anchor peace in the Euro-Atlantic area, serve as a model of democratic resilience and provide opportunities for economic growth through reconstruction efforts. Ukraine’s integration into European structures would strengthen the EU, enhance collective security and secure a critical partner in energy, agriculture and technological innovation.

By acting decisively now, the international community can ensure a future where aggression is punished, not rewarded, and where the values of democracy and human dignity prevail. Supporting Ukraine today is not just the right thing to do; it is the most cost-effective way to safeguard our collective future.

As Ukraine endures, the international community must also ensure that the aggressor faces justice. The establishment of a Special Tribunal to prosecute Russia’s crimes against humanity is not just a necessity for Ukraine but for the global order. Financially, it is imperative to use frozen Russian assets — valued at over $320bn — for Ukraine’s reconstruction. This is not only a pragmatic solution but also a statement of accountability: the aggressor must pay for the devastation it has caused.

Despite its immeasurable sacrifices, Ukraine stands defiant and united. Ukraine’s fight today continues a long history of resistance against foreign domination. From the heroic defence of Kyiv against the Mongol invasion in 1240 to the Zaporizhian Cossacks’ battles against the Russian and Ottoman Empires seeking to subjugate their lands, Ukraine’s spirit has been forged in struggle. The nation’s cultural revival during the Ukrainian People’s Republic of 1917 to1921 was a short-lived yet profound assertion of independence, tragically quashed by Bolshevik forces. In 1991, Ukraine reclaimed its independence, only to face a new wave of aggression in 2014 when Russia illegally annexed Crimea. The Revolution of Dignity that same year reaffirmed Ukraine’s choice for a democratic European future, culminating in the current defence of those values against tyranny.

As we mark these 1,000 days, let us remember that Ukraine’s battle is our shared battle. Supporting Ukraine is the most cost-effective way to ensure peace, justice and stability in Europe and beyond. Together, we must invest in Ukraine’s victory today to avoid far greater costs tomorrow.

Ukraine will win because it must – for its people, its values and the future of a free world. Ukraine’s victory will not only secure its sovereignty but will serve as a testament that tyranny cannot prevail over freedom. Together, with unwavering global support, we will ensure that the blue and yellow flag continues to fly high.