Ukraine-Russia War: One Year On
Exactly one year ago, Russia invaded Ukraine and Europe suddenly witnessed the largest land war since World War 2. Over the course of the next 12 months, the world would bear witness to unbelievable images and tragedies — reminiscent of the world wars of the 20th century — as well as unbelievable acts of courage, leadership and heroism. The war has challenged many assumptions. Despite facing one of the largest militaries in the world, Ukraine withstood and repelled a multipronged Russian offensive. Pres. Zelenskyy was rightfully recognized as TIME’s Person of the Year, an award that was shared with the Ukrainian people in recognition of their defiance, determination and resilience. But, major challenges remain as the war stretches into year 2. As France 24 notes, “Russia has continued to pummel Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure, leaving millions without power amid freezing winter temperatures”. Both sides are now preparing for the Spring Offensive — with Ukraine poised to benefit from NATO training and the latest weaponry while Russia looks to newly mobilized conscripts. We are currently exploring the varied (military, humanitarian, political) dimensions of the war via The Global List Podcast, and, in order to provide comprehensive coverage, we have also curated key articles below analyzing the war at the one year mark.
FINANCIAL TIMES
How Putin blundered into Ukraine — then doubled down
”At about 1am on February 24 last year, Sergei Lavrov, Russia’s foreign minister, received a troubling phone call.
After spending months building up a more than 100,000-strong invasion force on the border with Ukraine, Vladimir Putin had given the go-ahead to invade.
The decision caught Lavrov completely by surprise. Just days earlier, the Russian president had polled his security council for their opinions on recognising two separatist statelets in the Donbas, an industrial border region in Ukraine, at an excruciatingly awkward televised session — but had left them none the wiser about his true intentions.
Keeping Lavrov in the dark was not unusual for Putin, who tended to concentrate his foreign policy decision-making among a handful of close confidants, even when it undermined Russia’s….” Continue article.
CNN
After nearly one year of war, how Ukraine defied the odds — and may still defeat Russia
“When you attack us, you will see our faces. Not our backs, but our faces.”
The words of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hours after Vladimir Putin launched his full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022.
They were prophetic. Many analysts expected Ukrainian resistance to crumble in days. But for a year, the Ukrainian military has faced down a much larger force, rolling back the Russians’ initial gains in Kharkiv and Kherson, holding the line in the hotly contested Donbas region. n the process the Ukrainians have inflicted stunning losses on the Russian army, and laid bare the outmoded tactics, stale leadership and brittle morale of a force more impressive on parade than on the battlefield.
By contrast, Ukrainian units have proved nimble and adaptive, harnessing drone technology, decentralized command and smart operational planning to exploit their enemy’s systemic weaknesses.
And few would have bet that one year into this war, the vintage Ukrainian air force would still be flying.
Perhaps one of the most impressive examples of Ukrainian agility came on the first day of the…” Continue article.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Russia isolated as U.N. marks one year of Ukraine war
“The United Nations overwhelmingly isolated Russia on Thursday, marking one year since Moscow invaded Ukraine by calling for a "comprehensive, just and lasting peace" and again demanding Moscow withdraw its troops and stop fighting.
Just a day after China's top diplomat visited Moscow and pledged a deeper partnership with Russia, Beijing abstained on the vote - the fourth time it has done so on such action since the Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24 last year.
With a round of applause, the resolution was adopted on Thursday with 141 votes in favor and 32 abstentions. Six countries joined Russia to vote no - Belarus, North Korea…” Continue article.
WASHINGTON POST
Ukraine-Russia War: Ukraine Marks 1 Year of War
“Ukraine is marking one year since Russia launched a full-scale attack that violently ended decades of relative stability in Europe.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the invasion as “the hardest day of our modern history,” adding: “We woke up early and haven’t fallen asleep since.” He has framed the conflict as a morally charged battle, pledging that Ukrainian forces will fight on with the help of Western arms. The United States announced Friday another $2 billion package for Ukraine, including anti-armor Switchblade drones and laser-guided rocket systems.
In Russia, Friday was a quiet holiday, with scant official mention of the anniversary, though some antiwar memorials sprang up in support of Ukraine, and police mounted a large presence in major cities to prevent…” Continue article.
ABC
Russia-Ukraine war: A year in Ukraine, a nation devastated by war: Reporter's notebook
“Angelina Potopenko has been living underground since the start of the war. A bomb shelter basement beneath a blood bank in Kharkiv has been her home for almost 12 months. It is where she sleeps, eats, studies and plays.
Most of her friends have long since gone and some days she goes to the local playground on her own.
“My close friend left, and we were actually friends for over five years and I'm very sad because now we can only talk over the phone,” she says.
“At the moment I only have one friend. Or maybe one and a half.” she says as she shows me her toy rabbit and teddy bear.
It is no life for an 11-year-old girl but, in war, almost everything…” Continue article.
CNN
US-led sanctions campaign weakened Russia’s economy in first year of Ukraine war. Year 2 is about sealing the cracks.
A year of unprecedented, US-led sanctions designed to isolate one of the world’s largest economies has left Russia weakened, but not incapacitated.
Instead of the forecast double-digit GDP drop, Russia’s economy contracted by about 3% last year. After an initial crash heralded by President Joe Biden, the country’s currency has stabilized. And while US export controls have restricted Russia’s ability to obtain necessary components to manufacture some sophisticated military hardware, Russia has found countries willing to help keep its war machine humming.
If the first year of the US-led sanctions campaign was all about cutting Russia off from the global economy and degrading its military industrial complex, year two will be focused on sealing the cracks.
Biden administration officials say they will apply a laser-like focus on cracking down on Russia’s sanction evasion efforts, which span adversaries like China as well…” Continue article.
BBC
How Putin’s fate is tied to Russia’s War in Ukraine
“I keep thinking back to something I heard on Russian state TV three years ago.
“At the time Russians were being urged to support changes to the constitution that would enable Vladimir Putin to stay in power for another 16 years.
To persuade the public, the news anchor portrayed President Putin as a sea captain steering the good ship Russia through stormy waters of global unrest.
"Russia is an oasis of stability, a safe harbour," he continued. "If it wasn't for Putin what would have become of us?"
So much for an oasis of stability and safe harbour. On 24 February 2022, the Kremlin captain set sail in a storm of his own making. And headed straight for the iceberg.
Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine has brought death and destruction to Russia's neighbour. It has resulted in….” Continue article.
AP
China calls for Russia-Ukraine cease-fire, peace talks
China called for a cease-fire and peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, in a vaguely worded proposal released Friday that analysts said was unlikely to deliver results.
Beijing claims to have a neutral stance in the war that began one year ago, but has also said it has a “no limits friendship" with Russia and has refused to criticize its invasion of Ukraine, or even refer to it as an invasion. It has accused the West of provoking the conflict and “fanning the flames” by providing Ukraine with defensive arms.
The plan released by China’s Foreign Ministry mainly reiterated long-held positions and analysts said Beijing would be an unlikely broker.
It calls for the “sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of all countries” to be respected, but does not say what…” Continue article.
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