4 Years of Full-Scale War: Ukrainians Recall the First Day of Russia’s Invasion
Today, February 24, Ukrainians everywhere remember the most terrifying day of their lives—a day divided into before and after the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. On social media, they share memories of their first air raid alerts, the first bombings of towns and villages, urgent evacuations, and the constant thought in their minds: “How do we survive this?”
The agency UA.News collected these recollections.
“Our morning on February 24. Kyiv Sea. No information. And the Russians were flying very low over the buildings. That horror is forever,” recalls Anna, a resident of Kyiv region.
“Four years ago, that night I didn’t sleep! Around 4 a.m., I heard the first explosion! I never imagined a full-scale war had started. I thought it was just some silly fireworks! By 6 a.m., I counted about ten explosions, but still couldn’t believe it was real. How could it happen in the 21st century, at 4 a.m., without a declaration of war, that the occupiers attacked us like mice from Mordor? Just like the Germans on June 22, 1941. At 6 a.m., my wife ran in shouting ‘War!’ All day the residents of Irpin heard explosions near Hostomel airport. The day was tense, but the tensest was the night of February 24–25! When I heard explosions, it calmed me—it meant the fight continued! The scariest thing was the silence. Terrifying to think we’d lost!” — wrote Lavrentiy, a resident of Irpin.
“On February 24, 2022, the first day of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Lieutenant Colonel Oleksandr Oleksandrovych Zhybrov died during a combat mission. From the first days of the 2014 war, he defended Ukrainian skies, repeatedly performing complex combat sorties. That tragic day, he and his aviation wing flew to Kherson region to destroy an enemy mechanized column moving south. Despite heavy fire from Russian air defenses, Oleksandr successfully hit the target. When his aircraft was severely damaged and became uncontrollable, he directed the attack plane into a cluster of enemy vehicles, completing his mission to the last breath. Unfortunately, ejection failed—he died a hero’s death,” recalled the 299th Tactical Aviation Brigade named after Lieutenant General Vasyl Nikiforov.
“Four years ago, without pomp or grand words, my comrades and I took up arms and went to defend our country. Hundreds of thousands of sons and daughters of Ukraine stepped into the unknown and became Warriors. Honor to all the real ones! Eternal memory to those who remain forever on duty…” — wrote Serhiy.
The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine also published posts from February 24, 2022, on its Facebook page, minute by minute: at 09:10, martial law was declared—President Volodymyr Zelensky signed Decree No. 64/2022 “On the Introduction of Martial Law in Ukraine,” approved by 300 MPs.
“I remember the closed shutters of foreign embassies in Kyiv, which had kindly invited me before. Diplomatic missions were empty—they left shortly before that morning. In Bucha, near the military commissariat and the territorial defense HQ, hundreds of men and women gathered. That morning, we asked for weapons and instructions on where and how to defend. Hours later, a battle was raging nearby in Hostomel. We didn’t ask what our status would be, how much we’d be paid, or what benefits we’d get. We only demanded weapons, ammo, and positions. An officer asked who had military obligations or experience. Only a small group qualified,” — recalled Ukrainian defender Said Ismagilov.
“February 24, 2022. Putin escalates the confrontation that started in 2014 against Ukraine. Cities and villages turn into fields of ruins. Ukraine does not fall. I have the honor of documenting the Ukrainian people’s struggle with my camera,” — wrote German photojournalist Till Mayer, who has since traveled all front-line zones over four years.
“This is my only photo from February 24, 2022. That day we had an important work meeting. The night before, I ironed my shirt, nervous about how it would go. The shirt, of course, wasn’t needed. In the morning, Serhiy went to collect weapons; I bought groceries, taped windows, laid out a sleeping mat in the corridor. A few days later, I left the apartment with two cats, two laptops, documents, and minimal belongings. Never returned,” — recalled Kyiv resident Olga.
“What was I doing on February 24, 2022? Nothing special: I was killing the enemy. It was scary, hard, fun, and intense. And then came the 25th, then the 26th… And today is February 23, 2026. Many enemies are still alive. Everyone will get theirs,” — wrote Ukrainian defender Vasyl online.
“In Kyiv, there was a curfew—the first restrictions of my life. Even during Maidan, there were no such prohibitions. But today, we had to obey and let authorities do their work. My relatives spent the night in a basement for the first time. No connection. Another family stayed in a cellar. Only in the morning would we find out who survived,” — wrote Kyiv resident and volunteer Iryna.
“Four years feel like time stopped. It’s one very long day that won’t end soon. The small war tested our homework—could we defend ourselves? The big war is the consequence that everyone has felt—a hard lesson against passivity, amorphousness, and infantility of a population that thinks democracy is about rights, not duties. We pay with blood and land for decisions of those we elected to power all these years. I hope those who survive will not repeat such mistakes for their children or grandchildren,” — wrote Ukrainian defender Oleksandr.
Former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valerii Zaluzhnyi released a statement on the fourth anniversary of the full-scale invasion.
Russian losses over four years of full-scale war have exceeded 1.26 million military personnel. Even tens of kilometers from the front line, any mistake can cost lives. The full-scale war in eastern Ukraine has fundamentally changed army tactics, logistics, and even the very concept of the rear.
