After 1,000 days of war, a recent wave of Russian missile strikes, along with the continued bombardment of civilian areas, indicates that Moscow has no intention of backing down any time soon.
On Tuesday 19 November 2024, Ukraine marked the 1,000th day of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. It is the 1,000th day of Russian terror.
The 1,000th day of never-ending missile, drone, aerial bombardments and artillery strikes aimed at our cities, our schools, our hospitals, our infrastructure, our agriculture, our churches and museums. Attacks aimed at our culture, our traditions, our language, our faith.
Aimed at all of us.
It’s 1,000 days of atrocities against all Ukrainian citizens and the brutal violation of all existing international laws. Russia, which exists on a territory of 17,098,242km², attacked Ukraine which lives on 603,550km². A country of 145 million people attacked a country of 40 million.
It has been 1,000 days since the second-strongest army in the world attacked the 22nd strongest. And Ukraine is still standing strong, Ukrainian people are fighting for their survival and standing their ground against all odds.
It is also the 1,000th day of me sharing my thoughts, sharing facts and debunking Russian propaganda on this platform. I’m honoured that Daily Maverick gave me a voice in this beautiful country; I’m so thankful for the opportunity to be a loud Ukrainian voice in South Africa.
Global inaction
I often think that if the world had lent us a helping hand 10 years ago when Russia attacked Ukrainian territory for the first time, we would have had a very different outcome.
Russia’s objective in the invasion of Ukraine was always clear as day: occupy, murder, terrorise, indoctrinate and, of course, steal. Yet back then, Russia got a slap on the wrist and business carried on as usual.
Global leaders and nations alike failed to respond decisively to Russia’s violations of international law and war crimes. Their responses often appeared to be more about diplomatic theatre — expressing concern, condemning violence, but they hesitated when it came to meaningful action. We were attacked, our land was occupied, millions lost their homes and we couldn't even buy weapons to defend our land, though multiple reports indicate that Russia was sold weapons and military equipment right up to 2022.
The destabilisation caused by unpunished violence and systemic violations inevitably came home to roost in the form of a horrifying war in the middle of Europe. The failure to act is never a neutral stance — it is a gamble with the future.
Russia’s intentions
Russia’s intentions toward Ukraine have been unmistakable since the beginning of the war in 2014. On 20 February 2014, Russian special forces, operating without insignia, occupied Crimea, and later on the regions of Donetsk and Luhansk.
This marked the beginning of an era of terror. Russia’s actions were not only focused on military conquest, but also on suppressing Ukrainian identity. Ukrainian civilians, particularly those expressing pro-Ukrainian views, were subjected to violence, torture, and unlawful prosecution.
The targeting of Ukrainian civilians for their identity became widespread, with numerous international organisations documenting the gruesome crimes committed by Russian-backed forces in Donbas and Crimea during the so-called “hybrid” phase of the war, which lasted until 24 February 2022 — the date of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
These actions, which included mass killings, forced disappearances and torture, were part of a systematic campaign to erase Ukrainian culture and identity from the occupied territories. Millions of Ukrainians fled the region.
I want people to clearly understand: after the de-occupation of our territories, we have found mass graves and torture chambers in every single city. I’m sure the same was happening in Crimea and Donbas, but it wasn’t documented as the territories stayed occupied by Russians.
Despite Russia’s obvious intentions, the international community initially clung to the hope that dialogue and diplomacy could resolve the situation. In the years following Russia’s initial incursions, discussions took place under formats such as the Normandy format and the Minsk Agreements, which were designed to bring Russia back into the fold of international law and offer a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Many believed that Russia could be convinced to abide by international norms.
However, this belief was naive. While negotiations took place — nearly 200 talks were held, and multiple ceasefire agreements were signed — Russia’s military spending continued to rise. In 2021, for instance, Russia’s defence budget increased by 2.9% from the previous year, reaching $65.9-billion, or 4.1% of the country’s GDP. This continued military build-up showed that Russia was not interested in peace; it was preparing for further aggression.
By 24 February 2022, the world was witnessing the fulfilment of Russia’s long-standing agenda. The invasion was no longer a hidden operation, but an open act of aggression aimed at the full conquest of Ukraine and the elimination of its sovereignty. Russia’s purpose, which had been clear from the very beginning, was now evident to all.
And while the international community had hoped for diplomatic resolution, Russia’s actions proved that its objective was not negotiation, but subjugation and the erasure of Ukraine’s existence as an independent nation.
Russia’s escalating aggression underestimated
As the war in Ukraine stretches into its 1,000th day, some world leaders continue to hold on to the belief that an end is within reach, despite mounting evidence to the contrary. Statements from prominent figures often suggest that the conflict is nearing its conclusion, or that negotiations are just around the corner.
These narratives, however, stand in stark contrast to the reality on the ground. Over the past several months, Russia has significantly ramped up its military operations, launching heavier and more frequent attacks on Ukrainian cities, critical infrastructure, and civilian targets.
On Monday 18 November 2024, Russian terrorists bombed an apartment building in Sumy on a busy city centre street. Four hundred people were evacuated, 12 people were killed, including two children, and more than 80 were injured. They bombed the apartment building in the evening and within a couple of hours they bombed infrastructure, and the city lost electricity and the hospitals ran on generators.
On Tuesday 19 November 2024, Russian terrorists bombed a busy street in the centre of Odessa in the middle of the day. There were bodies scattered on the streets... the lifeless bodies of Ukrainians going about their day. Eleven people were killed and 47 injured.
On the night of 17 November 2024, Russian occupiers launched a massive combined attack on Ukraine’s energy sector, using missiles of various types from air, ground, and sea platforms, as well as Shahed-type UAVs (drones).
The Ukrainian Armed Forces detected and escorted 210 enemy air targets — 120 missiles and 90 UAVs. Russian terrorists literally launched anything and everything they have. These attacks have long ago moved beyond mere military objectives, morphing into a campaign of terror against the civilian population.
Ukrainian civilians have had just one single night free of Shahed drones since 29 August 2024. Russian terrorists attack Ukraine with hundreds of drones every single night. Recently, Russian terrorists began mass using new Shahed drones (3.5 metres long) on Ukrainian civilians — the Shahed drones have thermobaric warheads creating a fireball (with temperatures between 2,400 and 2,600°C) which, at the moment of the explosion, fills an entire apartment completely.
Designed to bring much more destruction
These drones are faster, they are flying really low so that they are hard to detect and shoot down, and they are much deadlier and by default designed to bring much more destruction.
Just in September and October, Russia launched more than 3,000 Shahed drones. The intensity of these assaults on our nation has increased as Moscow seems intent on breaking Ukraine's resolve and forcing concessions on its terms.
Leaders who prematurely declare the war to be “winding down” or suggest that a negotiated peace is imminent, risk undermining the gravity of the situation. In reality, Russia’s military strategy has evolved, becoming even more brutal in an attempt to wear down Ukrainian defences and morale.
The recent wave of Russian missile strikes, along with the continued bombardment of civilian areas, indicates that Moscow has no intention of backing down any time soon.
Yet, some international leaders, particularly from countries with economic or diplomatic interests in ending the conflict quickly, continue to propagate the illusion that the war’s conclusion is near. They advocate for ceasefires or peace talks, often overlooking the fact that these negotiations have been repeatedly sabotaged by Russia’s refusal to adhere to any agreements or to recognise Ukraine’s sovereignty.
This disconnect between diplomatic optimism and the harsh realities of the war has been particularly damaging. By suggesting that the war is nearing its end, these leaders not only mislead their own citizens, but also create false hope within the Ukrainian population which continues to face daily bombardments, displacement, and loss.
Ukrainians know all too well that Russia’s aggression is far from over, and that any premature push for peace could undermine their fight for survival and independence. Until Russia ceases its attacks and withdraws its forces, any claims of an imminent peace are, at best, premature — and at worst, dangerously naive.
Resilience and strength in the face of aggression
In the 1,000 days of full-scale war, Ukrainians have endured unimaginable hardship, displaying resilience and strength in the face of relentless aggression. From the very first moments of Russia’s invasion, civilians were forced to confront the brutal realities of war — sheltering in basements, fleeing cities, and burying loved ones lost to air strikes, artillery, and ground combat.
Entire communities have been razed, with millions displaced both within Ukraine and across its borders. Families have been torn apart, their lives upended by constant fear and violence.
Yet, despite the devastation, Ukraine’s spirit remains unbroken. Ordinary people have become heroes, from the soldiers defending their homeland to the doctors, volunteers, and everyday citizens offering shelter, food, and medical care.
The war has united all of us in a common purpose: to defend our sovereignty, culture, and future. We, the people of Ukraine, have endured profound loss, but our resolve to preserve our identity and independence has only grown stronger with each passing day. DM