On Invasion Anniversary, Zelenskyy Vows Ukraine Will Not Surrender Its Independence.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's Address to the Nation

According to UATV: In a speech marking four years since Russia's full-scale invasion, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized his nation's desire for peace while affirming its unwavering commitment to sovereignty. The address was delivered on February 24, a date that now signifies 1,462 days of all-out war and 12 years since the initial onset of Russian aggression against Ukraine.

'Ukraine wants peace. A strong, dignified, and lasting peace.' Volodymyr Zelenskyy

The President stated that 'we have defended our independence; we have not lost our statehood.' These words have come to symbolize the resilience of the Ukrainian people and their pursuit of peace during a period of immense hardship. This anniversary comes as Ukraine continues to defend its territory with significant international military and financial support.

Cities and Sites That Have Suffered Destruction

Zelenskyy's speech paid tribute to numerous cities and critical infrastructure sites that have endured severe devastation since the war began, including:

• Bucha
• Irpin
• Borodianka
• Hostomel
• Kharkiv
• Mykolaiv
• Kakhovka Dam
• Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant
• Kremenchuk
• Kryvyi Rih
• Ternopil
• Lviv
• Olenivka
• Chasiv Yar
• Kyiv
• Okhmatdyt
• Kramatorsk
• Mariupol
• Odesa

The President concluded his address with the rallying cry: 'Glory to Ukraine!'.

The anniversary underscores the protracted and brutal nature of Ukraine's struggle to defend its land and independence, alongside its consistent readiness to seek a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The President's message serves as both a tribute to the war's victims and a testament to the nation's enduring resolve. It also functions as an appeal to the global community for sustained support in Ukraine's quest for peace and the restoration of its territorial integrity.