A year of war in Ukraine: review 5 memorable moments

@curtonews 5 memorable moments from the War in Ukraine, which is celebrating its 1st anniversary this Friday, February 24th. #CurtoNews ♬ original sound – Curto News

Russia and Ukraine have not presented a reliable death toll for months. According to Norway, the war in Ukraine caused around 180 deaths or injuries in the ranks of the Russian army, and 100 Ukrainians, without taking into account the 30 civilian deaths.

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From the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, on February 24, 2022, to the announcement of the sending of Western tanks to Kiev, see 5 moments that have marked the conflict so far:

1 – Large-scale invasion

In the early hours of February 24, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin orders a “special military operation” to “demilitarize” and “denazify” Ukraine. The argument was to defend the separatist “republics” of Luhansk and Donetsk in Donbass.

The world condemns the attack and Western powers impose economic sanctions on Russia. The European Union sends weapons to Ukraine and the United States releases billions of dollars in military aid.

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Kiev suffers new air strikes after New Year's bombings — Debris from areas attacked by the Russian army in Kiev. Image: AFP

2 – The horror in Bucha

Russian troops capture the port of Berdiansk and the regional capital of Kherson near the Black Sea, as well as several cities around the capital Kiev. Ukrainian forces resist the capture of the capital, and Volodimir Zelensky gains the spotlight. On April 2, Ukraine claims that the entire Kiev region has been liberated

In the city of Bucha, bodies of civilians executed in cold blood are found in the streets. The remains of several hundred civilians, some showing signs of torture, were in mass graves in this town on the outskirts of Kiev.

Close relatives and friends mourn at a funeral ceremony for those killed in Bucha, near Kiev. Image: SAVILOV / AFP

3 – The fall of Mariupol

On April 21, the Kremlin announces the conquest of Mariupol, a strategic port on the Sea of Azov, leaving the place without vital infrastructure, water, electricity and heating.

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2 Ukrainian fighters, entrenched in the labyrinthine underground of the Azovstal factory with hundreds of civilians, fought until they surrendered in May. Mariupol is 90% destroyed; 20 thousand people died.

The retaking of Mariupol was celebrated by Ukrainian soldiers and a milestone in the armed conflict. Image: Reproduction Twitter

4 – Ukrainian counteroffensives

In September, the Ukrainian army announced a counteroffensive in the south, forcing the Moscow army to withdraw from the Kharkiv region, the scene of violent fighting.

Step by step, the Ukrainian army, with the help of Western weapons, takes dozens of cities from the Russians. The Crimean Bridge, a strong symbol, is damaged by a powerful explosion on October 8.

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Russian forces are forced to abandon Kherson on November 9. Two days later, Ukraine regained control of the city, “a historic day” hailed by President Zelensky.

Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine — Volodymyr Zelensky gains strength and the world's spotlight. Image: AFP

5 – Severe winter

Starting in October, Russia systematically attacks Ukrainian plants and transformers with its missiles and drones, plunging the population into cold and darkness.

In January, the Russian army, reinforced by around 300 reservists mobilized since September and supported by paramilitaries from the Wagner group, returns to the offensive.

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Faced with repeated requests from the Ukrainian president, Americans and Europeans promehas sent dozens of heavy tanks to Kiev in early February, drawing Moscow's ire.