Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy marked the start of the fifth year of Russia’s invasion by declaring that President Vladimir Putin has failed to achieve his war aims, Feb. 24, 2026. In a video address commemorating the anniversary, Zelenskyy said Ukraine had preserved its independence and would pursue a “strong, dignified, and lasting peace.”

Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, unleashing the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War II. Hundreds of thousands of people have been killed on both sides, and vast swaths of eastern and southern Ukraine have been devastated.

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“We have defended our independence, we have not lost our statehood; Putin has not achieved his goals. He has not broken Ukrainians; he has not won this war,” Zelenskyy said in the address posted to social media. “We have preserved Ukraine, and we will do everything to secure peace and justice. Glory to Ukraine!”

He added that any peace agreement “must not simply be signed, it must be accepted by Ukrainians.”

Talks between Moscow and Kyiv, relaunched last year by the United States, have so far failed to end the fighting. Zelenskyy said last week that Ukraine was not losing the war and urged European allies to consider deploying troops to the front line in the event of a ceasefire to deter renewed Russian aggression.

Leaders from allied nations, including Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, were in Kyiv to mark the anniversary. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also attended, reaffirming Europe’s support.

“We will not relent until peace is restored. Peace on Ukraine’s terms,” von der Leyen said in a video message, adding that Europe stood “unwaveringly with Ukraine, financially, militarily, and through this harsh winter.”

She was scheduled to attend a commemoration ceremony, visit an energy facility damaged by Russian strikes and participate in a videoconference with allies including Britain, France and Germany.

Front-line toll

The prolonged conflict continues to exact a heavy toll on Ukrainian forces. Valeriy Kashkarov, a Ukrainian soldier who has fought since the early days of the invasion, told CBS News he survived being shot by a Russian sniper but has lost many fellow soldiers.

“Especially … young brothers in arms dead, and a lot of them. On a daily basis,” Kashkarov said. “It’s like — what the hell.”

Russia occupies roughly 20% of Ukrainian territory and is pressing for full control of the eastern Donetsk region as part of any negotiated settlement. Ukraine has rejected territorial concessions and insists on security guarantees from allies to prevent another invasion.

Moscow has intensified attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in recent months, disrupting heating and electricity during the winter. Western allies have imposed sweeping sanctions on Russia, forcing it to redirect energy exports toward Asia.

Despite heavy losses, Russian forces have made gradual advances along parts of the eastern front, particularly in the Donbas region.

Reconstruction challenge

The war has left Ukraine facing a massive reconstruction effort. A joint World Bank, European Union and United Nations report published Monday estimated post-war rebuilding costs at approximately $588 billion over the next decade.

Russia has framed its invasion as a defensive move to counter Ukraine’s aspirations to join NATO. Speaking Monday during a ceremony marking Defenders of the Fatherland Day, Putin said Russian troops were defending the country’s “borders” and ensuring “strategic parity” while fighting for Russia’s “future.”

As the war enters its fifth year, diplomatic efforts remain stalled, and both sides continue to prepare for prolonged conflict.