February 24, 2024, marks the second anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, a country now entering its third year of massive destruction that has caused the death of at least 20,000 civilians and servicemen and women. This adds to the toll of Russia’s 2014 war that led to its ongoing occupation of Crimea and parts of Eastern Ukraine and several thousand deaths.
Support for Ukraine has grown from being mostly humanitarian and political in early 2022 to economic and, finally, military as well as diplomatic by the end of 2023. The US, the UK, and countries in the EU close to Ukraine were among the first to call for full and military support to Kyiv and have since been joined by others in Europe, East Asia (besides China and North Korea), and elsewhere. But that support is also reaching its limit because of Ukraine fatigue but also because another war started in the Middle East in Gaza, channeling its own share of media attention, money, weapons, and political engagement on different sides.
In Ukraine, an alliance of civilians and military forces continues to resist. While elections supposed to take place in March 2024 cannot take place under martial law, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy retains clear support inside the country. Several million Ukrainians — the vast majority of women and children — live as refugees in Europe, North America, and elsewhere.
For more about the lived experience of the war, read also War Time Stories from Ukraine
Russia, which lost around 50,000 soldiers and a few civilians, claims it is determined to continue what it still calls a “Special military operation” — yet opposition to the war mounts among wives of soldiers, non-Russian nations, LGBTQ+ groups, and what remains of Russian opposition inside the country.
For more, read Opposing Putin: A multitude of voices
Meanwhile, the world continues to assess its own views and roles in regard to Russia’s invasion: countries like China see it as an economic and diplomatic opportunity to sell its goods and services and increase its influence over Russia; others see their societies reacting in fragmented ways: while war is always business for some, civil society and media might take opposite views.
For more, read Understanding the link between Ukraine and Taiwan
Global Voices continues to provide international content illustrating the need to understand different contexts and lived experiences of those who are closely or remotely affected by this war. In 2024, it is also increasing stories written by people from Ukraine.
Stories about Entering a third year of war in Ukraine from May, 2023
‘Support does not necessarily mean understanding': Interview with founder of Taiwan-based ‘Ukrainian Voices’ Oleksandr Shyn
As Taiwan and Ukraine face threats — and Kyiv a real invasion — from their large and immediate neighbours — China and Russia — is the popular comparison between Taiwan and Ukraine valid?
Remembering the ruined Donetsk International Airport in Ukraine
In 2014, the airport terminal built for the Euro-2012 games became a fighting hot spot in the Ukraine's struggle against the covert Russian invasion of Donetsk region. It is now rubble.
‘Almost all famous artists have left or will leave [Russia], and those who remain will be blacklisted and banned’
For Russian rock, the “golden era” was the years of the underground, the end of the 70s and the first half of the 80s. The question is, will this “new underground” emerge?
Who will this generation be after the war in Ukraine?
I never cared about politics. And now I am 37, I have a bunch of written books under my belt, also translations, depression, and a gun.
Kyiv Animal Rescue Group has evacuated 300 cats and dogs from eastern Ukraine
The volunteers noticed that the animals living in war zones amid constant shelling are very warm to people. They are scared, and seem to want to be rescued.
A Ukrainian wartime love story
On the morning of February 24, we were not planning to go to war but to a traditional dance class. We were learning to dance the polka.
Cultural diplomacy, LGBTQ+ rights, and Ukraine in the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest
On the evening of the Eurovision Grand Final, Ternopil, the home city of Ukraine's 2023 Eurovision contestant, TVORCHI, was brutally shelled by Russian forces.
Caring for a relative with dementia while Ukraine is under siege
Olga shares her experience caring for her mother who suffered from dementia, throughout the last ten years — including during Russia's invasion.
Rewritten, recorded, reframed: Ukrainian wartime songs
Home, mothers, and soil are frequent symbols in Ukrainian wartime songs. These themes have deep roots in Ukrainian folklore — which is frequently referenced in Ukrainian contemporary music.
Russia arrests anti-war poet, claims terrorism charges for a theatre play
This is the first case of detention for a play in today's Russia. Prison sentences on charges for "publicly justifying terrorism" involve five to seven years in prison.
Why don't global south postcolonial countries associate themselves with post-Soviet countries of Eastern Europe?
Analogies between postcolonialism and postsocialism might be too quick and, at the very least, require examining the region’s active participation in the policing of the physical and symbolic borders of “Europe.”
Russian citizens seeking citizenship in Ukraine are left in legal limbo
In 2022, their Russian IDs became toxic, and many found themselves unwelcome in Ukraine. Since the invasion began, more and more are seeing their legal documents expire.