The anniversary came just two days after Russia pounded Ukrainian critical infrastructure, particularly its power grid, in one of its most intense missile and drone barrages since its February 2022 invasion.
"For 1,000 days, the Armed Forces of Ukraine have been confronting the enemy on the front line, which stretches over 1,000 kilometers," the country’s commander-in-chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi, posted on the Telegram app. "In the frozen trenches of Donetsk Oblast and in the burning steppes of Kherson Oblast under shells, Grad [missiles], and guided bombs, we are fighting for the right to life. For us and for our children.
"Every dark night, even if there are a thousand of them, always ends with a dawn," he added. “And one day it will be the dawn of our Victory.”
An international conflict
In Brussels, the European Commission projected a Ukrainian flag onto its headquarters. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tweeted a photo of the building with a text saying the gesture honored “the brave men and women of Ukraine.”
In a statement, Ukraine’s foreign ministry said that despite the war, the country was making progress towards EU and NATO membership and “maintaining the unity of society along the way, including all our people abroad. We are working to create the conditions for their return home.”
“The Russian military invasion is accompanied by massive violations of international law, international humanitarian law and human rights,” the statement continued.
“Russian occupation forces are committing war crimes and crimes against humanity, killing civilians, torturing and executing prisoners of war. Ukrainian civilians live in conditions of constant attacks by guided bombs, missiles and drones of various types of Russian, North Korean and Iranian production.
“Russia is waging a hybrid war not only against Ukraine but also against the entire world, using food, energy and other resources as weapons,” the foreign ministry wrote.
“Russia is implementing large-scale disinformation campaigns and cyberattacks, trying to manipulate public opinion, spread chaos and divide democratic societies.”
