The outcome of another year of war

Ukraine managed to survive through yet another year of war. Let's take a look at key points.

International aid

The aid from partners remains crucial for Ukraine to keep the economy vital and maintain the ability to deal with enormous defense expenses. In 2024, Ukraine received substantial aid from its key international partners, with the United States and the European Union leading the contributions. The United States allocated over $41 billion in assistance, including $20.5 billion in military aid and $20.4 billion in financial and humanitarian support. This funding ensured the continuity of essential services, including pensions and salaries for educators and healthcare workers, while bolstering Ukraine’s military capabilities against ongoing aggression. Key initiatives like the PEACE in Ukraine program, coordinated with the World Bank and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), further strengthened Ukraine’s social safety nets and reconstruction efforts.

The European Union and its member states collectively played a critical role in Ukraine’s support network, contributing billions in financial, humanitarian, and military aid. Germany emerged as a leading donor with over €15 billion in assistance, while the United Kingdom provided nearly €14 billion. The EU committed an additional €50 billion in aid, which included €11.1 billion through the European Peace Facility aimed at enhancing Ukraine’s defense capabilities. Moreover, the EU joined the G7 in allocating $50 billion in loans for Ukraine's budgetary and reconstruction needs, partially funded through revenues from frozen Russian assets, with the EU itself contributing $20 billion to this initiative.

Together, the United States and the European Union demonstrated unwavering support for Ukraine, offering both immediate relief and long-term investments in its recovery and defense. This robust assistance reflects a shared commitment to upholding Ukraine's sovereignty, addressing the humanitarian challenges posed by the conflict, and ensuring stability in the region. The collaboration underscores the global resolve to counter aggression and provides Ukraine with the resources to navigate the crisis.

Ukraine invaded Russia

In August 2024, the Armed Forces of Ukraine launched a significant incursion into Russia's Kursk region, marking one of the most audacious cross-border operations since the onset of the conflict. The offensive began on August 6, with Ukrainian troops advancing towards the town of Sudzha, approximately 10 kilometers from the border. By mid-August, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the capture of Sudzha, highlighting the rapid progress of Ukrainian forces in the initial stages of the operation. Ukraine ceased 1263 square kilometers of Kursk oblast, including 93 settlements.

This unexpected maneuver compelled Russia to reallocate thousands of troops from occupied Ukrainian territories to counter the Ukrainian advance in Kursk. The incursion demonstrated Ukraine's strategic initiative and exposed vulnerabilities in Russia's border defenses. Despite the boldness of the operation, its long-term impact on the broader conflict dynamics remains a subject of analysis among military experts.

As of today, Russians managed to push Ukrainian forces from the part of the territory that was under Ukrainian control. Ukraine lost control of around 50 percent of the territory in the Kursk region so far.

Notably, Russia had to involve North Korean troops in battles for Kursk oblast.

Loss of territories

In the second half of 2024, Russia achieved incredible results in occupations of Ukranian land. The increase in occupation began right after Ukraine conducted a successful Kursk incursion operation. Since August 2024, Russia has taken over around 2,800 square kilometers, an area comparable to three times that of Kyiv. The majority of Russia's territorial gains in 2024 have been concentrated in the eastern regions of Ukraine, particularly in the Donbas area. As of today, Russia has almost reached the border between Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk oblast, which allows Russians to conquer more land beyond the Donbas area.

The main reasons for successful creeping occupations were several factors: Ukrainian armed forces concentrated the most skilled units to hold the territory of Kursk oblast, and less experienced soldiers and rookies were to defend the frontline in Donetsk oblast, where Russians gained much of their success.

Also one of the key factors was the fatigue among Ukrainian army, lack of man power, problems with mobilization and increasing number of men trying to dodge the draft.

Attacks on the power grid

During 2024, Russia intensified its campaign against Ukraine's energy infrastructure, launching multiple large-scale attacks that severely disrupted the nation's power grid. On March 22, a massive missile strike targeted key facilities, including the Zmiivska Thermal Power Plant in Kharkiv Oblast, leading to widespread blackouts and water supply issues in the region. The attack also caused significant damage to the Dnieper Hydroelectric Station, raising concerns about the stability of Ukraine's energy supply.

The assaults continued throughout the year, with a particularly devastating strike on December 13, when Russia launched 93 missiles and nearly 200 drones aimed at Ukraine's energy facilities. This offensive resulted in extensive damage, prompting longer power outages across the country. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned these attacks as "inhumane," especially following a massive barrage on Christmas Day that left many regions without electricity during the holiday season.

Attacks on the civil infrastructure

Also, in the course of 2024 year, Russia kept attacking civil infrastructure, and civilian objects such as schools, hospitals, and residential buildings were repeatedly targeted. In September, a cultural center in Lviv in the Western part of Ukraine was hit during a drone attack, destroying invaluable artifacts and killing seven civilians. Such assaults highlight the systematic targeting of non-military sites, with the intent to demoralize the population and cripple vital services.

One of the most harrowing incidents occurred on July 8, when a missile struck a children’s hospital in Kyiv, killing two people and injuring 32. The attack caused significant damage to the hospital and was highly condemned in the world`s society.

Each day, week, and month of the war brings more and more victims among the civilians and keeps millions of others under constant threat.

Ukraine is being pushed towards peace talks

In 2024, Ukraine faced growing international pressure to engage in peace talks with Russia amid ongoing devastation from the war and rising global concern. Key partners of Ukraine, including the United States, European Union members, and UN officials, have called for diplomatic efforts to find a resolution, though Ukraine has consistently emphasized that peace talks can only happen on its terms. The newly elected President of the USA, Donald Trump, expressed his desire to bring peace to Ukraine through direct negotiations with Russia, advocating for a settlement that he believes would quickly end the war. Trump suggested he could strike a deal by engaging with Russian President Vladimir Putin, possibly conceding some territories to Russia as part of the negotiations. His approach raised concerns among Ukrainian officials and their allies, as it could potentially involve the loss of Ukrainian territories to appease Moscow. Trump`s potential peace plan could be potentially harmful to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has remained firm in his stance that Russia must withdraw from all occupied territories before any meaningful negotiations can take place. Meanwhile, some Western officials have suggested that Ukraine consider compromises, especially as military and humanitarian costs continue to rise. While Ukrainian leaders continue to call for stronger support and focus on regaining control of occupied territories, the pressure to explore diplomatic solutions reflects the increasing international desire to end the conflict and stabilize the region.