This week, a symbolic date appeared on the calendars of Ukrainians: 1,000 days since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion. A period that has entered world history as an act of unprecedented lawlessness and brutality, aimed at the total destruction of an entire country and its people. The events that have happened to Ukrainians since February 2022 are compared to the horrors of both world wars. However, this is also a time of heroic resistance, massive societal mobilization, and unprecedented international support.
Ukraine’s greatest ally, the United States of America, honors this symbolic date together with Ukrainians. Ceremonial events were held across the country, including one organized by the Consulate General of Ukraine in San Francisco, which brought together government officials and diplomats, U.S. military personnel, as well as activists and volunteers from California. The event became an opportunity to honor Ukraine’s heroic struggle and remind the world of the global consequences of the war instigated by Russia.
1,000 days stand as proof of Ukrainian courage but also of the failures of international diplomatic mechanisms, which have lacked the strength to stop this attack. The Consul General of Ukraine in San Francisco, Dmytro Kushneruk, in his speech, reminded the audience of the price Ukraine pays every day and called on the international community to take more decisive actions.
"Unfortunately, we have lost many of our warriors and civilians. This is the price we pay. But the cost of appeasing the aggressor would be even greater. If we allow Russia to continue its actions with impunity, it will become a threat to global security, nuclear stability, and the future of the entire world. Even now, Russia is using food and energy as weapons, affecting millions of people," said Kushneruk, highlighting separately the horrific crimes of Russia against children. "This is the largest operation of child abduction in history: 20,000 Ukrainian children have been forcibly deported to Russia. Their normal childhood has been stolen, and we cannot allow the world to forget this."
In turn, Major General Matthew Beavers of the California National Guard emphasized that support for Ukraine remains unwavering. He reminded attendees that the war has lasted not 1,000 days but more than 10 years, and the United States will always stand by Ukraine. "We must remember that the strong connection between California and Ukraine has lasted for more than 30 years, starting in 1993 with the NATO Partnership for Peace program. These relationships go beyond political changes and remain the foundation of our shared values – freedom and sovereignty," he said.
The event also highlighted the unyielding spirit of Ukrainians. Despite missile strikes that have recently claimed the lives of at least 10 people, including children, and left Odessa, Sumy, and many other cities and villages without power, Ukraine remains filled with determination and the will to fight.
1,000 days in numbers:
During the war, Russia has occupied about 66.9 thousand square kilometers of Ukraine’s territory, which is 11% of the country’s area within its 1991 borders. Ukrainian forces have liberated 42.5 thousand square kilometers, which is 7% of the country’s total area. However, these percentages constantly fluctuate depending on changes along the frontlines. In addition, about 1,000 square kilometers of Russia’s Kursk region are under the control of Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Losses among military personnel are enormous on both sides. Russia has provided almost no official data, with the last figure given in September 2022 reporting 5,937 dead. Meanwhile, Ukrainian and Western sources report over 600,000 killed and wounded among Russian troops. Ukraine has officially confirmed 31,000 military personnel killed as of February 2024, though more precise data remains classified until the end of the war.
Civilian casualties are also significant. According to the Prosecutor General's Office, over 1,000 days of war, 15,059 cases of abduction by Russian occupation forces have been documented. The number of civilians killed, injured, or missing is unknown, as proper investigations are often impossible due to occupation and active combat zones. Children have suffered the most in Donetsk region (598), Kharkiv (459), Kherson (187), Dnipropetrovsk (190), Kyiv (133), Zaporizhzhia (154), and Mykolaiv (117).
International assistance has been a key factor in Ukraine's resilience. The European Union has provided $40.5 billion in direct budgetary aid, the United States $28.2 billion, and total external support exceeds $100 billion. Of this, 33% has been granted in the form of grants, helping Ukraine avoid increasing its debt burden. The United States remains the largest donor of military assistance, allocating at least $182.99 billion, of which $131.6 billion has been directed toward security support.
Civic engagement has also been extraordinary. Through three major funds – United24, Come Back Alive, and the Serhiy Prytula Foundation – Ukrainians and international donors have raised over $1.3 billion for military needs. According to a Deloitte study, 92% of Ukrainians have made donations to support the military or those affected, demonstrating unprecedented societal unity.
The humanitarian crisis remains immense. Europe hosts 4.2 million Ukrainian refugees, and another 3.5 million people have been internally displaced within Ukraine. Meanwhile, over 4.2 million citizens have returned from abroad, trying to rebuild their lives in Ukraine.
Ukraine has not only endured but continues to implement reforms, attract investments, and cooperate with international partners. These 1,000 days also foreshadow enormous challenges that lie ahead. However, resilience, solidarity, and the support of the civilized world still offer grounds for motivated optimism.
Thanks to Danylo Vegera for the photos. More of his work here – danielvegera.com
Author: Lukian Selskyi