Main points
- In his address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized the celebration of the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion, emphasizing the heroism of Ukrainians in defending their country.
- Zelensky also honored the memory of the heroes who gave their lives for the freedom and independence of Ukraine, and expressed gratitude to all who defend the state.
Zelensky addressed Ukrainians on the fourth anniversary of the war / Screenshot from Channel 24
February 24, 2026 marks four years since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised Ukrainians who continue to defend the independence and sovereignty of the state.
The head of state noted this in his video address to the people of Ukraine.
Address by Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the fourth anniversary of the full-scale war in Ukraine
For the first time since the start of the full-scale invasion, the head of state showed his office in the bunker on Bankova Street. It was there, he said, that at the beginning of the war in 2022, key decisions were made regarding the defense of the state, and the first conversations with partners and leaders of other countries took place.
I spoke with President Biden here and it was here that I heard: “Volodymyr, there is a threat, you need to leave Ukraine urgently. We are ready to help with this.”
– the president said.
However, Zelensky stressed that he needed weapons, “not taxis.” He noted that at that moment Ukrainians were scared and hurt for their country, many were shocked and could not find words. At the same time, according to him, at the domestic level, everyone realized that there was no other Ukraine, this was home, and everyone understood what they had to do.
It was on that day, the president says, that millions of Ukrainians made their choice.
“Our people did not raise the white flag, but defended the blue-yellow one,” Zelensky emphasized.
He noted that the occupiers expected support, but instead saw queues at military registration and enlistment offices, because citizens chose the path of resistance. According to him, the military held the defense, and civilians stood up to defend their cities and villages with their bare hands, sometimes literally stopping enemy equipment with their own presence. The President emphasized that society had united and everyone understood: each new day must be fought together.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy's address on the anniversary of the war: watch the video
The Head of State noted that Ukrainians fought with such strength and devotion that it was both impressive and inspiring, and the scale of the resistance was seen all over the world. Later, the President says, the world saw thousands of people with blue-and-yellow flags in the squares of European cities as a sign of support for Ukraine.
He emphasized that the country was building resilience step by step, having survived the first, most difficult day of a full-scale war, and then the weeks and months. The arrival of spring, according to Zelensky, became a symbol of a turning point.
It was a turning point and for the first time, everyone had the thought, “We can do it! Ukraine can do it!”
the president emphasized.
Zelensky stressed that no words can convey even a fraction of the pain that Ukraine has experienced during this time, and that Russia has brought to every family and every Ukrainian heart. He listed cities and tragedies – from Bucha, Irpin and Borodyanka to Mariupol, Kramatorsk, Olenivka, the Kakhovka Dam and the Zaporizhzhia NPP – as symbols of loss, destruction and human suffering.
According to the Ukrainian leader, the strikes on maternity hospitals, residential buildings, train stations, and civilian infrastructure show that this is not how people fight and act. He emphasized that Ukrainians will never forget this.
The President noted that despite all the pain and loss, Ukrainians do not allow anger and fear to control them – they transform their own human strength into energy for the fight and prove every day that you can force them to hide in bunkers, but you cannot conquer Ukraine.
According to him, the people always rise up, return, and continue to fight for life, the right to stand on their own land, and breathe their own air.
What previously seemed like fantasy has now become the norm for Ukraine. The head of state recalled that from receiving bulletproof vests and the first “Javelins” and “Bayraktars”, the country has gone the way to its own weapons production. We are talking about more than three million FPV attack drones per year and modern high-tech weapons, including “January”, “Gor”, “Vampire”, “Polyanytsia”, “Hell”, “Ruta” and “Flamingo”.
Zelensky noted that Ukraine will continue to strengthen its defenses, as Russia does not stop and is waging war against peace and the civilian population by all means. According to the president, Putin realizes that he is unable to defeat Ukraine on the battlefield, so the second army in the world is attacking residential high-rise buildings and power plants.
He added that Ukrainians are currently going through one of the most difficult winters in history, enduring constant terror, and suggested that few others would be able to withstand such a burden and not falter.
And to stay united. And with all this, to achieve results everywhere. To recover after each attack, to fill our air defense with missiles every time, to go to work every morning, to constantly hold our positions, to speak to the world as equals, to gain candidacy for the EU, to return thousands of our prisoners home,
– Zelenskyy summed up.
The Head of State emphasized that it is from every conscious act, from such steps, achievements, and small victories that Ukraine is built.
In his address, Zelensky honored Ukrainian defenders who gave their lives for the freedom of the people and the independence of the state. He named the Heroes, including “Da Vinci”, “Grenka”, “Dzhuz”, “Zheka”, “Tikhy”, “North”, Petrichenko, Matievsky, sailor Vitalii Skakun, pilot Oleksandr Oksanchenko, Darya Lopatina, “Delta”; Olana Chornohorska, “Sati”; Yulia Berezyuk, Margarita Polovinko.
Thousands and thousands of heroes who gave their lives so that Ukraine could live. Ours are the warriors-defenders, ours are the guardian angels. I am sure that they accurately told God the whole truth about this war, about how we defend ourselves, defend our land, life, independence, our culture, history, our Sofia, our people,
– said Zelensky.
Today is 1462 days of full-scale war and 12 years of Russian aggression. Ukraine seeks peace – strong, dignified and lasting, but no one will allow the state itself to disappear along with the war.
According to the president, before each round of negotiations, he gives his team clear directives: not to nullify the years of struggle of the Ukrainian people, not to devalue the courage and dignity of Ukrainians, and not to forget and not to betray what has been achieved. That is why each round of negotiations is a struggle for every word, point, and real security guarantees so that the agreement is strong.
The President concluded his address by thanking all those who defend independent Ukraine – soldiers, their families, volunteers, medics, educators, and students. He emphasized that thanks to their dedication and work, the state becomes stronger.
“I am proud of you, I believe in each and every one of you, in all of you, to whom, without any exaggeration, I have the honor to address you, the great people of great Ukraine,” the head of state noted.
Martial law has been in effect in Ukraine since February 2022: what is known?
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Martial law was imposed in Ukraine for the first time for 30 days at 05:30 on February 24.
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Since its introduction, some constitutional rights and freedoms of citizens have been restricted, and these restrictions remain in force to this day. These include the inviolability of the home, the secrecy of correspondence and telephone conversations, the right to non-interference in personal and family life, freedom of movement, the right to leave the territory of Ukraine for certain categories of persons, freedom of expression, and the right to hold rallies, assemblies, or demonstrations.
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Martial law in Ukraine has been extended 18 times since the beginning of 2022. Every 90 days, the parliament adopts a corresponding decision.