On the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky delivered a somber message through a video exploring the sacrifices made by those involved and paying tribute to those who have lost their lives. The day was marked by reflection and remembrance rather than large events, honoring the lives and experiences that have been irrevocably changed.
For Olha Shtepan, a Ukrainian refugee now living in Hamburg, Germany, the invasion has left a perpetual wound. Sharing her story, she recounted how her life radically changed on February 24, 2022, when she was in Kyiv babysitting her sister’s children. In a desperate bid to reunite with her own family, she ventured into Irpin, a suburb that soon became partially occupied by Russian forces. Her decision to join her family was met with peril, launching them into a situation she now characterizes as an entry into “hell.”
A pivotal moment came when the family fled, crossing a destroyed bridge that became a symbol of early war suffering. This journey to escape to Germany, with four children in tow amidst heavy bombing, was fraught with danger and loss. Despite their physical distance from the conflict, the emotional scars endure. For Ms. Shtepan and many others, the month of February is marked with pain, serving as a grim reminder of their experiences.
Across Ukraine, memorials have been erected to commemorate the war’s toll. Some, such as abandoned, wrecked cars scattered across the landscape, serve as haunting reminders of the fate faced by fleeing civilians. New memorials continue to be constructed, symbolizing the ongoing nature of their struggle.
In a poignant initiative to honor the fallen, Ukraine Wow, an organization dedicated to promoting Ukrainian culture, erected a striking sculpture at Kyiv’s central railway station. This installation, composed of 12-foot-high hearts, pulses rhythmically in response to messages bearing the names of those who have died in the conflict. It stands as a dynamic monument to the lives lost and a testament to the resilience and unity of the Ukrainian people.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/24/world/europe/ukraine-war-anniversary-zelensky.html
