As the conflict with Russia reaches its third anniversary, Ukrainians reflect on the profound losses endured since the onset of the invasion on February 24, 2022.
Ukraine Reflects on Losses as War Enters Third Year
Ukraine Reflects on Losses as War Enters Third Year
On the anniversary of the invasion, Ukraine mourns while honoring its resilience and sacrifice.
February 24, 2025, marked a poignant day for Ukraine, as President Volodymyr Zelensky shared a heartfelt video, recognizing the sacrifices of the Ukrainian people and memorializing the lives that have been lost. Unlike previous years, no grand commemorations were on the agenda; instead, the occasion served as a solemn reminder of the devastating impact of war.
In Hamburg, German refugee Olha Shtepan found herself overwhelmed with emotion, recalling her harrowing experiences during the initial attacks in Kyiv. “It’s a wound that doesn’t heal,” she expressed, reflecting on how moments like this exacerbate the pain of memories. Three years ago, she was babysitting her sister's children in Kyiv while her own were in nearby Irpin, which was quickly engulfed in conflict. To reunite, she chose to face the danger head-on, not realizing the horrors that lay ahead.
After a traumatic week filled with relentless airstrikes, Shtepan and the children managed to flee, crossing over a devastated bridge that symbolizes the early brutality of the war. Though they eventually found refuge in Germany, the emotional scars remain deeply embedded. “February is a terrible month for all Ukrainians who endured those horrors,” Shtepan lamented.
Throughout the nation, memorials serve as stark tributes to loss and resilience. Some grim reminders, like the abandoned vehicles of those who attempted to escape, remain scattered across the landscape, while new memorials continue to rise as the conflict endures. Recently, Ukraine Wow, a cultural organization, unveiled a striking installation at Kyiv’s central railway station: a tower of giant hearts that pulse in response to messages honoring those lost to the war, embodying the collective grief and remembrance of a nation in turmoil.
In Hamburg, German refugee Olha Shtepan found herself overwhelmed with emotion, recalling her harrowing experiences during the initial attacks in Kyiv. “It’s a wound that doesn’t heal,” she expressed, reflecting on how moments like this exacerbate the pain of memories. Three years ago, she was babysitting her sister's children in Kyiv while her own were in nearby Irpin, which was quickly engulfed in conflict. To reunite, she chose to face the danger head-on, not realizing the horrors that lay ahead.
After a traumatic week filled with relentless airstrikes, Shtepan and the children managed to flee, crossing over a devastated bridge that symbolizes the early brutality of the war. Though they eventually found refuge in Germany, the emotional scars remain deeply embedded. “February is a terrible month for all Ukrainians who endured those horrors,” Shtepan lamented.
Throughout the nation, memorials serve as stark tributes to loss and resilience. Some grim reminders, like the abandoned vehicles of those who attempted to escape, remain scattered across the landscape, while new memorials continue to rise as the conflict endures. Recently, Ukraine Wow, a cultural organization, unveiled a striking installation at Kyiv’s central railway station: a tower of giant hearts that pulse in response to messages honoring those lost to the war, embodying the collective grief and remembrance of a nation in turmoil.
