Jeremy Gahagan
Live reporter

We are now pausing our coverage marking the first anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

It's been an extremely long day, with first-hand accounts from those who have been affected and displaced by the conflict as well as stories from our reporters, correspondents and producers in Ukraine who have helped us covered the war over the past 365 days.

The day has seen the anniversary marked around the world, from Sydney to Stockholm; while King Charles paid tribute to the people of Ukraine, saying they had "suffered unimaginably".

In Kyiv, Ukraine's President Zelensky took part in a marathon press conference and at the UN in New York the Russian delegation intervened in a minute's silence.

Our coverage today has been written by Alice Cuddy in Kyiv, Marianna Brady in Washington DC, Sam Hancock, Marita Moloney, Thomas Mackintosh, Adam Durbin, Jennifer McKiernan, Anna Boyd, Gem O'Reilly and James Harness in London.

The page has been edited by Jamie Whitehead, Andrew Humphrey, Laura Gozzi, Kevin Ponniah and myself.

On 24 February 2022, Vladimir Putin sent troops into Ukraine, hoping to take over the country in a matter of days.

Here is what has happened since.

Video by Ian Casey

Alice Cuddy
Reporting from Kyiv

I’ve been speaking to colleagues in the BBC’s Ukrainian service, who have been directly impacted by the war with Russia.

Correspondent Zhanna Bezpiatchuk tells me that “reporting on a war in your own country is an experience you would never want to have”.

“As a journalist and as a Ukrainian, on all our deployments across the country, I have tried to find the evidence of humanity amid the destruction and devastation,” she says.

Correspondent Oleh Chernysh recalled the moment of the invasion, one year ago today.

“It was not the explosions in Kyiv that woke me up. The first thing I heard early in the morning on 24 February 2022 was my one-year-old son crying.

“He woke up exactly five minutes before Putin’s speech. So while my wife and I tried to put our little one back to sleep, the Russian president was declaring war on my country,” he said.

Why doesn't Ukraine destroy Russian railways?published at 21:55 Greenwich Mean Time 24 February 2023

21:55 GMT 24 February 2023

Paul Adams
BBC Diplomatic correspondent

Our final question comes from Howard Davies, who asks why isn't Ukraine destroying railway lines well inside Russia, Russia must have to do the majority of its logistics by rail, and it would be impossible to defend?

The authorities in Kyiv don’t tend to talk about operations across the border, so reports (usually on social media) tend to be unconfirmed and sketchy.

But the Russian railway network has certainly been attacked on several occasions.

Anti-war groups in Russia and Belarus are suspected of carrying out dozens of attacks over the past year, targeting lines used to transport men and equipment to the various fronts in Ukraine.

Some attacks have been reported from much further afield. In early January, part of the Trans-Siberian Railway was blown up in distant Krasnoyarsk.

Ukrainian forces have attacked railway lines used by Russian forces in occupied Ukraine, notably a railway bridge across the Dnipro River near Kherson.

Russia also accused Ukraine of carrying out last October’s bombing of the Kerch Bridge, a vital road and rail link between annexed Crimea with the Russian mainland.

But the extent of Kyiv’s involvement in attacks inside Russia is not clear.

Are Ukraine's neighbours tiring of hosting refugees?published at 21:53 Greenwich Mean Time 24 February 2023

21:53 GMT 24 February 2023

Sarah Rainsford
Eastern Europe Correspondent

Are Ukraine’s neighbours tiring of this conflict and of hosting all the refugees they have had to take in?

I’m in Poland now where many cities have been transformed by the arrival of refugees.

You hear a lot of Ukrainian and Russian on the streets and in Warsaw there’s still lots of Ukrainian flags.

When the war began, Poland opened its border and allowed millions to cross.

A year on, we’ve been reporting on how those who’ve stayed are managing to integrate: finding work, learning the language, sending their children to Polish schools.

I’ve heard very little about tensions or fading support, even though in Przemysl near the Ukraine border, for example, the population is 10% higher now.

Poles are proud of their warm welcome. They’ve donated money, volunteered at the border and opened their homes to host families.

People do worry about the risk of the war next door escalating. But there’s still a huge amount of sympathy for Ukrainians and a sense of outrage at the invasion.

Why are the Russians seemingly winning in Bakhmut?published at 21:50 Greenwich Mean Time 24 February 2023

21:50 GMT 24 February 2023

Orla Guerin
Senior International Correspondent

With all the help that Ukraine is getting from its allies, why are we hearing the Russians are closing in on Bakhmut. How is that possible? Why aren’t Ukrainians using all the weapons and tanks that were provided for them? Marina Bogoslavskaya, Los Angeles, US

Russia has been making a big push for the city since last summer, throwing massive resources into the fight.

At first it was wave after wave of fighters from the Wagner mercenary group (many fresh from Russian jails).

Now regular Russian soldiers have been added to the mix. Ukrainian troops are outnumbered and battling with shortages of ammunition.

That was clear when we reported from inside Bakhmut this month with Ukraine’s 93rd brigade. They told us they were short of ammunition of all kinds, especially artillery rounds.

They also need anti-tank weapons, and armoured vehicles to transport troops. Ukraine is still waiting for hundreds of Western battle tanks, promised by its allies.

By the time they arrive it will probably be too late for Bakhmut. The Russians now have effective control over the two main roads to the city, leaving just one back route.

Ukraine may have to make the painful decision to withdraw before that road is cut, to save lives and resources.

What is Ukraine's naval warfare capacity?published at 21:50 Greenwich Mean Time 24 February 2023

21:50 GMT 24 February 2023

Jonathan Beale
BBC defence correspondent

There is little coverage of the naval war. Is Ukraine able to take any limited offensive naval actions? William Fox

The war in Ukraine is mostly being fought on land. Neither side have been able to control the sea or the skies.

Ukraine already lost most of its navy when Russia’s invaded Crimea in 2014 – where its warships were based. In contrast Russia still has a large fleet in the Black Sea.

Western intelligence initially believed it could be used to carry out a simultaneous sea born invasion towards Odesa. But it hasn’t materialised.

The sinking of Russia’s flagship, the Moskva, in April last year by a Ukrainian anti-ship missile only highlighted the risks for a navy.

It was a big blow for Russia.

There have been other skirmishes at sea with both sides losing smaller vessels. Ukraine used unmanned vessels to target the Russian fleet in Sevastapol in October last year – causing some damage. Russia has continued to launch long range missiles strikes from its ships.

Access to the Black Sea continues to be essential to Ukraine’s long term survival, not least for its export of grain. But this war will be won or lost on the ground.

Is Nato fuelling the war?published at 21:44 Greenwich Mean Time 24 February 2023

21:44 GMT 24 February 2023

Sarah Rainsford
BBC Eastern Europe Correspondent

Why is the Nato alliance fuelling this war having seen Moscow expressing dissatisfaction of its expansion towards eastern Europe? Antonio Cruz

I think Nato would argue it’s not fuelling anything and that the war in Ukraine is one that Russia launched and Russia can stop at any moment. I watched President Biden say that just this week, here in Warsaw.

It’s true that Vladimir Putin justifies his invasion by telling Russians that their country is "threatened" by the Nato alliance, and he opposes Ukraine’s ambition of signing-up.

But Nato is already on Russia’s border in the Baltic States and Poland and the counter argument is that without Russian aggression (seen in Georgia, Crimea, eastern Ukraine even before 2022) fewer countries would be keen to sign-up.

It’s also worth remembering that Putin talks a lot about external threats and enemies: it helps him keep tight control at home, including by painting opponents as agents of a hostile West.

Won't Ukraine need air superiority to win?published at 21:41 Greenwich Mean Time 24 February 2023

21:41 GMT 24 February 2023

Paul Adams
BBC Diplomatic correspondent

Won't air superiority be required eventually for the Ukraine to oust Russia? Why wait for the inevitable? The West should be training pilots and crews now to enable the Ukraine. Russia will no doubt use its air force to attack the tanks and armoured vehicles. Phillip Keiser, Illinois, USA

It’s hard to see Ukraine successfully pushing back Russian forces to its international borders without dominating, or at least competing in, the air.

Used in conjunction with armour on the ground, air power can make a huge difference.

But if you think the debate over sending tanks has been long and tortured, it pales in comparison with the provision of vastly more complex, expensive jets.

As Philip suggests, the outcome may be inevitable (although there’s a lively debate about what jets would actually be most useful), but the politics, economics, training and support aspects of sending jets are massively complicated.

Of course, air superiority is also about air defences, and this is an area where the West has already done a lot.

Combined with Ukraine’s existing systems, Western weapons have helped to limit the threats posed by Russian jets and missiles.

BBC correspondents covering the conflict in Ukraine have recalled the people and the moments that have stayed with them.

As Russia launched its full-scale invasion on the night of 24 February 2022, life for Ukrainians went underground - to basements, bunkers, bomb shelters and metro stations.

BBC teams set up a makeshift, round-the-clock operation in a car park beneath the streets of Kyiv.

Our journalists reported from the front line on the outskirts of Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv, and met people preparing to fight back in the eastern city of Dnipro,

They were in the city of Borodyanka, much of which had been reduced to rubble, and in towns and villages newly liberated from Russian occupation.

• Read our special report on moments of reflection from a year of war here

In the last few moments, the European Union has approved a tenth package of Russia sanctions on the anniversary of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

Writing on Twitter the Swedish EU presidency says: "Together, the EU member states have imposed the most forceful and far-reaching sanctions ever to help Ukraine win the war.

"The EU stands united with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people.

"We will keep supporting Ukraine, for as long as it takes."

What did you think of Ukraine's chances at the start?published at 21:33 Greenwich Mean Time 24 February 2023

21:33 GMT 24 February 2023

Quentin Sommerville
BBC News

You reported in Kharkiv at the start of the war when Ukraine was facing a desperate military situation. Did you consider then that Ukrainian forces could have been as successful in taking back territory that they have been?

Not at first, like most people I thought Ukraine would be overwhelmed in days, if not weeks.

They were up against the second biggest army of the world, one that shown itself adept at warfare in the Middle East, in Chechnya and elsewhere.

But I’d underestimated the early resilience of Ukrainians who thwarted Russia’s invasion plans, and then, just as importantly, convinced the world that they wouldn’t submit.

Then we saw huge flows of western arms, munitions and training, that have help sustain Ukraine in its cause.

Are sanctions hurting Putin?published at 21:33 Greenwich Mean Time 24 February 2023

21:33 GMT 24 February 2023

Sarah Rainsford
BBC Eastern Europe Correspondent

Are we seeing signs that sanctions are turning some of the Russian elite against Putin?

Not obviously so, or not in a big way that would change Putin’s calculation, and he’s the one driving all this.

The invasion was Putin’s grand plan, drawn up with minimal consultation or honest assessment from those close to him, as we’ve since learned.

They’re scared to tell him the truth. So even people known to oppose the war in private, including among the government, are going on with their jobs, effectively enabling the continuing invasion – or publicly justifying, even lauding it.

Russia has failed to achieve the quick and easy victory Putin expected but that’s more likely to see him dig in further than change tack.

I think it’s safe to say that members of the Russian ‘elite’ who had property in the West, enjoyed shopping in London and skiing in Italy, don’t enjoy the asset freezes and travel bans.

Even getting in and out of Russia these days is difficult. Whether they can do anything about that is another matter.

Gem O'Reilly
BBC News

Countries across the world are commemorating the anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The symbolic gestures include Sydney's Opera House being illuminated in Ukrainian colours and artists putting up light installations in Wembley Park in the UK.

In Brussels supporters of Ukraine gathered and held a giant flag in front of the EU Parliament building.

Other commemorations include a national minute's silence across the UK and national prayers of peace taking place in the Netherlands.

King Charles also marked the one-year anniversary with a message,, external saying: "I can only hope the outpouring of solidarity from across the globe may bring not only practical aid, but also strength from the knowledge that, together, we stand united."

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Amanda Rose / Wembley Park

Image source, EPA

James Landale
Diplomatic correspondent

Alan asks, does all the support the UK is giving Ukraine come out of the UK foreign aid or the UK MoD fund?

The UK has given Ukraine military, humanitarian and economic support worth more than £4bn since the invasion one year ago.

Most of the support – some £2.3bn - has come in military equipment that has come out of Ministry of Defence (MoD) stock or bought using the MoD budget.

About £1.4bn has been given as loan guarantees via the World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development – to help shore up Ukraine’s economy.

And some £220m has been given as direct humanitarian assistance, reaching about 13m people, largely through the United Nations, Red Cross and other non-governmental organisations.

Another £17m or so has been to help rebuild Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

The UK government has also given £25m so far to match the donations given by public to the Disasters Emergency Appeal.

Where do China and India stand?published at 21:20 Greenwich Mean Time 24 February 2023

21:20 GMT 24 February 2023

John Simpson
World Affairs Editor

Where do the likes of China and India stand in respect to condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine and what pressure is being put on them by Nato countries? Alan Birks, Staffordshire

People in the West tend to think there’s a lot more support for Ukraine in the rest of the world than there actually is.

China is openly siding with Russia, though it would like to find a way of rescuing Putin by fixing up some kind of face-saving peace deal.

India, like South Africa and a lot of African and Asian countries, is becoming increasingly hostile to the Western approach towards the war in Ukraine.

Russian and Chinese views about the war get a lot of traction in the developing world, and South Africa in particular seems to be getting closer to Russia; the two countries have been carrying out naval manoeuvres together off the Natal coast.

India is also shifting away from the West at the moment, and the Russian line that it was forced by Nato aggression to invade Ukraine gets a lot of support there.

Why are no serious ceasefire negotiations taking place?published at 21:18 Greenwich Mean Time 24 February 2023

21:18 GMT 24 February 2023

Lyse Doucet
Chief International Correspondent

Why is there no serious attempt to negotiate with Putin and Zelensky on a ceasefire? We seem to have entrenched ourselves into a situation we cannot get out of - Jaw Jaw, not War War? Nigel Baker

The Ukraine war had been a rare case of talking and fighting starting almost simultaneously.

Direct mid-level negotiations and third-party mediation began last February almost as soon as Russian tanks rumbled across the border.

But as this war drags on, views have hardened on both sides especially among Ukrainians who’ve seen their cities laid to waste, and a catalogue of alleged Russian war crimes.

And both sides are also convinced they can still gain ground on the battlefield, even win this war outright.

Distrust runs so deep that warring parties suspect their enemy would only use a ceasefire to regroup for another round of fighting.

Talks which did take place over the past year, on issues like prisoner exchanges and humanitarian corridors, did achieve results.

But it still hasn’t translated into progress on the most significant issue of all - territory.

As President Zelensky puts it:“we used to say ‘peace’, now we say‘ victory’.”

How many casualties have their been?published at 21:17 Greenwich Mean Time 24 February 2023

21:17 GMT 24 February 2023

Jonathan Beale
BBC defence correspondent

How many casualties have there been on both sides? Gene Rosen, Chicago, US

Western officials believe that Ukraine’s armed forces have suffered at least 100,000 casualties over the past year, but add that the vast majority of that number have been wounded not killed.

The same officials say estimates of Russian casualties are between 175,000 to 200,000.

But they believe that a larger proportion of that number have been killed.

Western officials say the ratio of Russians wounded compared to those killed is about three to one, compared to the ratio of Ukrainians injured to killed - which is likely between 10 to one or even 20 to one.

They say this is down to better battlefield treatment of Ukrainian troops.

Jamie Coomarasamy
Newshour presenter

Image source, .

When the war began, 52-year-old Irina Filkina urged her daughter, Olha Shchyruk, to leave Ukraine.

“She said that Russian troops might come to our house and rape me”, Olha remembers.

Olha left for Poland, but her mother stayed in Bucha, the town near Kyiv, where dozens of civilians were killed. Irina assured her daughter that she would be safe.

The last time they spoke, Olha begged Irina not to cycle home.

Later that day, when her calls went unanswered, Olha posted on Instagram that she’d lost her mum.

A Ukrainian soldier got in touch to say that Irina had been shot by Russian troops, while riding her bike.

A few days later, on her mother’s birthday, Olha said a prayer. “I said to God, if you’re still here with me, help me find her body."

The next day, someone sent her a video, showing Irina’s body, with her distinctive, manicured nails.

Who of the Ukrainians you've met will stick with you?published at 21:02 Greenwich Mean Time 24 February 2023

21:02 GMT 24 February 2023

Quentin Sommerville
BBC News

Tell us about a character that you’ve met on one of your reporting trips that will stick with you.

There are so many, I can’t chose one, so I’ll choose two.

First is Eugene Gromadskyi, a 22-year-old soldier we met in the war’s very beginning in Kharkiv.

He stood in the snow in trainers, fresh-faced, and had just seen his father die beside him defending their city.

He’s now battle-hardened, battle-scarred, every bit the Ukrainian warrior. He embodies Ukraine’s journey for me over the last year.

And we met his mother too, Natalia.

She barely sees her son now as he’s busy at the front, her husband of 25 years is gone and she’s alone in their empty apartment in Kharkiv.

Eugene was made a hero of Ukraine by President Zelensky for his bravery in defending his city, but I like to think his mother shares that award.

Few have sacrificed so much for their country.