Mon Feb 23 13:36:52 UTC 2026: # Ukraine’s Resilience Endures as War Enters Fifth Year, Despite Losses
The Story:
Four years after Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine demonstrates remarkable resilience despite significant land and manpower losses. While initial predictions foresaw a swift Russian victory, Kyiv remains defiant, with daily life persisting amidst the ongoing conflict. Although Russia controls approximately 10 percent of Ukrainian territory, its advances have stalled, and it has suffered substantial casualties. Despite limited battlefield successes, Ukraine’s spirit of resistance endures, bolstered by international support, even as the mobilization process becomes increasingly challenging.
Key Points:
- The war in Ukraine has entered its fifth year.
- Initial predictions of a rapid Russian victory have proven false.
- Russia controls about 10 percent of Ukrainian territory but has suffered significant losses.
- 1.3 million Russian soldiers have reportedly been killed or seriously wounded.
- Sweden and Finland have joined NATO since the invasion.
- Ukraine relies heavily on financial and military aid from European allies, including a 90 billion-euro ($106bn) loan from the EU.
- Mobilization is becoming increasingly difficult for Ukraine.
Key Takeaways:
- Ukraine’s resilience and ability to withstand the initial Russian onslaught have defied expectations.
- The war has evolved into a protracted conflict with no clear end in sight.
- International support remains crucial for Ukraine’s continued resistance.
- The human cost of the war is immense for both sides.
- The conflict has reshaped the geopolitical landscape, particularly with the expansion of NATO.
First Piper 