On the anniversary of Russia’s invasion, Zelensky vows to fight on even as stalled American and Western aid hurts Ukraine on the battlefield.
Today marks two years since Russia invaded Ukraine. 24 months later, advances remain stalled while intense fighting rages one, even as Ukraine’s diminishing supply of artillery ammunition are starting to impact its capabilities.
The milestone in the war comes as brutal combat continues in the country’s east. Ukraine recently appointed a new military leader, who moved troops out of the city of Avdiivka, a focal point on the front line, to avoid encirclement.
Speaking in Kyiv on the anniversary of the invasion, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the country would not give up. He said that the country wants the war to end, but in a “fair” way and “on our terms.”
“We are fighting for it. For 730 days of our lives already. And we will win on the best day of our life,” Zelensky said.
Two years on, both sides have effectively and somewhat efficiently dug in. Once the fighting turned to mostly static artillery-driven battles of attrition in late 2022, both sides have shelled each other relentlessly. The arrival of Western weapons systems, from Patriot missiles to Abrams tanks, has increased Kyiv’s abilities against the larger Russian military, but now ammunition is starting to run out, curtailing how much fighting Ukraine can actually do each day.
Beyond a series of new sanctions, Western allies of Ukraine have pledged additional help for the nation, even as delays in material assistance are impacting the country on the battlefield.
Several nations are pledging new military aid to Ukraine, particularly needed ammunition for Kyiv’s artillery. Denmark said it will give Ukraine its “entire artillery” for the war effort.
