1000 days of unbreakableness: Ukraine is changing the course of history
19 November 2024 10:43
on November 19, 2024, the full-scale war in Ukraine reached the 1,000-day mark. The largest-scale military aggression in Europe since World War II has become a test for the entire world, which is reconsidering its approaches to security, politics, and values. During these 1,000 days, Ukraine has proven that it is ready to confront the superior enemy, the Russian Federation, and defend its democracy and sovereignty. The key stages of this struggle have already been included in history books. What is worth knowing today, how historians assess the chances of victory and exclusive footage of the liberation of Kyiv region from the military – read more in the article
Ukraine is a new leader in defense innovation in the world
Ukraine has become one of the leading innovators in the military-industrial complex.
- “Palyanytsia”: high-precision missiles that compete with the world’s leading developments.
- Naval drones: a game-changing tool in the Black Sea.
- Sokol UAVs: versatile drones for reconnaissance and strikes.
In 2022, against the backdrop of a full-scale war, Ukraine made a significant breakthrough in the development and use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), including projects like the Sokol. This includes both reconnaissance and strike functions (drones have the ability to transport explosives or interact with artillery to target). Developments such as the Sokol have gained the ability to independently carry out missions to eliminate targets without direct operator intervention, which shocked even aviation experts. Konstantin Krivolap in an exclusive commentary
“If someone had told me before February 24, 2022, that it was possible to take an Aeropract A-22, throw out the pilot and passenger, put in a fuel tank, stuff it with explosives, equip it with electronic warfare devices and connect an autopilot, and this plane would become a kamikaze, I would have twisted my finger at my temple,” Kryvolap said.
And today, the massive use of UAVs has changed the approach to combat operations, and Ukraine has forced NATO to revise its drone standards.
“The science of killing says that the more accurately you deliver your charge to the target, the less explosives you need. And we have changed the understanding of the whole world, we have opened up whole areas in drone construction. Even in the NATO classification of drones in terms of range and weight, there is no such thing as FPV, bombs, or a drone drop mechanism. And today, NATO is reconsidering its approaches to drone construction, and the Americans are testing their UAVs in Ukraine,” emphasizes Kryvolap.
Since 2024, Ukraine has resumed full-scale production of medium-range missiles, which was made possible by modernizing the production facilities of Pivdenmash and Luch. A new Ukrainian ballistic missile was successfully tested, which was another step in strengthening the country’s defense capabilities. The creation of this weapon took into account the developments of the Hrom-2 project, which was developed before the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
A real breakthrough in the development of Ukraine’s military-industrial complex was the Palianytsia missile, presented in 2024. It has a range of 400-700 km with high accuracy.
And on the eve of the 1000th day of Russia’s full-scale invasion, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine announced the scale-up of mass production of Neptune missiles, which can hit targets at longer distances.
“In the middle of 2025, Ukraine will have, if not mass production, then small-scale production of missiles,” Kryvolap summarized.
Experts predict that starting in 2025, Ukraine will actively export its own weapons to Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, making it an important player in the global arms market.
Ukraine is at the center of the international agenda
Russia’s aggression has turned Ukraine into a symbol of the struggle for freedom, sovereignty and democratic values.
- Kyiv’s efforts have generated broad support on key international platforms, including the EU, NATO, and the UN, which initiated a high-level meeting to mark the 1000th day of Russia’s war against Ukraine. Ukraine is also supported by the G7.
“After 1,000 days of war, we recognize the enormous suffering that the people of Ukraine have endured. Despite these hardships, Ukrainians have demonstrated unparalleled resilience and determination in defending their land, culture and people,” the G7 leaders said.
- They provided large-scale assistance: Since 2022, Ukraine has received tens of billions of dollars in military, humanitarian and economic support.
- Isolated Russia: Ukrainian diplomacy contributed to the imposition of sanctions that have significantly limited Moscow’s economic and political opportunities.
The United States, the European Union, and the United Kingdom became Ukraine’s key partners, providing modern weapons and political support. Ukraine has deepened cooperation with NATO, becoming one of the bloc’s key partners. Ukraine is strengthening ties with the countries of the Global South, in particular, Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
The main achievements of Ukraine’s diplomacy include:
- TheGlobal Grain Agreement, which allowed food exports despite Russia’s blockade of ports. This strengthened Ukraine’s reputation as a reliable partner in ensuring global food security.
- Increased sanctions pressure on Russia. Thanks to Ukrainian diplomacy, more than 14 EU sanctions packages, restrictions from the United States, Canada, Japan, and Australia, as well as an oil embargo and price caps on Russian oil were introduced. The EU has now started working on the 15th package of sanctions. 27 countries have submitted their proposals to the European Commission.
- Establishment of international tribunals. Ukraine has initiated the process of creating a special tribunal to punish Russian war criminals. And Putin misses a number of international events because he has an arrest warrant in The Hague
- Promotion of the peace formula and the victory plan, which consists of five points – geopolitical, two military, economic and security – and three secret annexes.
- Restoration of energy infrastructure. Despite Russia’s massive attacks on the energy system, Ukraine was able to restore the energy sector thanks to the help of international partners.
Military operations that went down in history
Defense of Kyiv. In the first weeks of the war, the Ukrainian capital became a symbol of invincibility. Russia’s attempts to take Kyiv in “three days” failed. The Ukrainian Defense Forces, territorial defense, and volunteers stopped the enemy and forced him to retreat. Exclusive footage of the Irpin defense was shared with
“We, the military, could not have done it without the help of civilians who remained in the occupied cities and did not lose their courage. Ukrainians massively passed us information about the movements of the Russian military and their positions. Some of them voluntarily sacrificed their homes, pointing out to the artillery the positions where Russian troops were hiding,” says Yevhen “Tykhyi”, an officer of the Defense Forces, in an exclusive commentary
The Battle for Kharkiv and its liberation. on September 6, 2022, the Armed Forces launched a counteroffensive in the Kharkiv region, and on September 8, they liberated 20 settlements in the region from Russian troops. Ukrainian flags were then raised over Balakliia, Kupiansk, and Izium. Later, Kozacha Lopan was liberated.
A counteroffensive in the south and the liberation of Kherson. on November 11, 2022, the Armed Forces of Ukraine liberated Kherson, the only regional center of Ukraine captured by Russian troops.
The defense of Bakhmut: a fortress of courage. Bakhmut has become a symbol of resistance, where the Armed Forces of Ukraine held the line against superior enemy forces from August 1, 2022, to May 20, 2023. Although the city was captured, the heroism of the Ukrainian military prevented the Russian army from achieving significant strategic success.
Strikes on the Crimean Bridge and the Black Sea Fleet
Ukraine was able to demonstrate that it is capable of striking far beyond the front. The destruction of key Black Sea Fleet ships in Sevastopol and the damage to the Crimean bridge significantly limited Russia’s capabilities in the south.
1000 days of full-scale war: what’s next?
the 1000 days of war have been a test for every Ukrainian. Ukraine has gained many victories, but the main goal of liberating all the occupied territories and restoring peace is still ahead.
Historian and now a soldier of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Alfyorov in an exclusive commentary for
“There are no resources in Ukraine without which Russia could not exist. We do not have incredible oil deposits in Kherson or diamonds. This is not a war for economic resources,” says Oleksandr Alfiorov.
The historian reminds that the countdown of the days of Russian aggression began in 2014 and this ideological war concerns the very existence of the Russian Federation as a state with imperial ambitions.
“The same war that began in 2014, and in no way lasts for 1000 days, began as a war for meanings. Russian imperial thought cannot exist without Ukraine, and Ukrainian freedom cannot exist without liberation from Russia,” explains Alfiorov.
The war will end only when the imperialist ideology is destroyed in Russia, the historian is sure. Alferov believes in Ukraine’s victory, despite the significant difference in scale. The secret of our strength is in unity.
“Ukrainians, though from different regions, always remain Ukrainians. A Slobozhan, a Galician, or a resident of Kherson is always a Ukrainian. And Russian identity is dispersed: it includes Buryats, Dagestanis, and Yakuts. Their internal disunity cannot defeat our small but strong unity,” emphasizes Aleksandr Alfyorov.
“This war may become the last not only in the history of the Ukrainian state, but also for the Ukrainian nation if we do not win it. But we have a unique chance not just to survive, but to defeat the empire, concludes Alferov.
These words resonate with the sentiments of many Ukrainians who understand that the fight for freedom is a fight for the future. And today Ukraine is showing the world an example of resilience, determination and unity.
Author: Daryna Glushchenko
