Volodymyr Zelensky sent a message of defiance against Russia on the first anniversary of the war, declaring, "that 2023 will be the year of our victory."
The 45-year-old showed clips from the ongoing battle that has already lasted a year and said that his compatriots have been heroically resisting and battling the invading Russian soldiers despite the suffering and sorrow that they have endured.
"On Feb. 24, millions of us made a choice. Not a white flag, but the blue and yellow one. Not fleeing, but facing. Resisting and fighting," Zelensky wrote. "It was a year of pain, sorrow, faith, and unity. And this year, we remained invincible. We know that 2023 will be the year of our victory."
Ukrainians have planned memorials, candle vigils, and other acts of commemoration for their tens of thousands of dead, a number that is expected to rise as conflict continues in eastern Ukraine.
Concerns were raised that Russia would rain more missiles down on Ukraine, making an already sad day even worse. Thankfully, there were no air raid sirens overnight in Kyiv, and the mournful morning began without any disruptions. Yet, government officials suggested that schools switch to online education, and they encouraged office workers to put in more time at home.
There have been over 100,000 casualties on both sides of the fight, the largest in Europe since World War II, according to estimates by Western military sources.
"Almost everyone has at least one contact in their phone that will never pick up the phone again," Zelensky said, according to Reuters. "He who will not respond to the SMS 'How are you?'. These two simple words got a new meaning during the year of the war."
Since Russian forces invaded his country on Feb. 24, Zelensky has been leading from the front. He has also been effusive in his praise of his people.
"We became one big army," he said. "We have become a team where someone finds, someone packs, someone brings, but everyone contributes."
Zelensky has played an essential role in securing international financial and military support for the maintenance of Ukrainian defenses. America has pledged millions of dollars' worth of weaponry to Ukraine, including artillery ammunition, anti-armour systems, and air defense radars.
Ahead of the first year anniversary of the Russian invasion, U.S. President Joe Biden made a surprise visit to Ukraine and met with Zelensky.
