David Brown
BBC News Visual Journalism Team

One year since the invasion, heavy fighting is concentrated on a series front line flashpoints in the east of Ukraine.

The most deadly confrontations are around the town of Bakhmut, according to Ukraine’s military.

Casualties there have been so high that commanders on both sides have called Bakhmut the “meat grinder”.

Russian troops and allied Wagner Group mercenaries have been attempting to encircle the town for weeks.

Image source, .

Many analysts a say the battle for Bakhmut is part of a Russian spring offensive that is already underway.

Michael Kofman of the US-based Center for Naval Analysis says the offensive started about three weeks ago. So far, he says, Russian gains have been “underwhelming”.

He adds that while Russian forces may struggle to make a decisive push through Ukrainian lines, Russian positions have been heavily reinforced with few if any weak points for Ukrainian troops to exploit.

Russian troops have also been trying to smash through Ukraine lines near Kreminna, according to the Institute for the Study of War.

To the south, around Vuhledar, Russian forces have shifted from artillery and mechanised attacks to infantry assaults, according to Kyrylo Budanov, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s military intelligence.

He says the change in tactics may be a sign that artillery shells and armoured vehicles are in short supply.

Reports also suggest that Ukrainian lines around Bilorivka and Avdiivka are under intense pressure, but holding for now.

One year on from the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Britain has announced new sanctions against Moscow, including export bans on every piece of equipment it has used on the battlefield.

The Foreign Office said the internationally co-ordinated sanctions and trade measures would target aircraft parts, radio equipment and electronic components.

The UK is also sanctioning senior executives at the Russian state-owned nuclear power company Rosatom, as well as bosses at Russia's two largest defence companies and four banks.

"Ukrainians are turning the tide on Russia but they cannot do it alone. That is why we must do more to help Ukraine win," said Foreign Secretary James Cleverly.

Later, G7 leaders will meet virtually with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky where they are expected to discuss further sanctions on Russia.

How have ordinary people in Ukraine responded?published at 07:57 Greenwich Mean Time 24 February 2023

07:57 GMT 24 February 2023

Lyse Doucet
Chief International Correspondent

Throughout the day, our correspondents will be answering your questions on the war.

Our first question is for our chief international correspondent, Lyse Doucet, asking her if she was surprised at how ordinary people responded to the invasion, and how they've changed over the last 12 months.

In every war, there are fighters on front lines and there’s what’s called the home front – the uncommon courage of civilians who play their part in standing up to an enemy.

Ukrainians have shown the world how war can bring a nation together – with the metal of military hardware, and the mettle, the spirit, of the people.

They’ve shown impressive resolve in taking on new roles – everyone from engineers to opera singers have taken up guns, set up volunteer networks to help those in need, raise money, put drones in the sky.

Even now, after a year of living with curfews and electricity cuts, explosions and shortages, that determination doesn’t seem to have been dented. There’s no denying the enormous losses, and profound pain.

But I’ve hardly ever heard anyone ask “when will this end?” Instead, the most common refrain still is “we can, and will win.”

Alice Cuddy, reporting from Kyiv

I’ve just been speaking to soldier Oleh Martymianov in Kyiv’s Sophia Square.

He says Ukraine has been under attack every day for a year now, and he is not worried about any escalation today.

Asked when he thinks the war will be over, he tells me: “I’m not sure how soon, but I’m sure we will win”.

“I have big plans for my girlfriend so it needs to finish soon,” he adds grinning.

Oleh was speaking in front of Kyiv’s Bohdan Khmelnytsky Monument - one of several statues across the city to have been boarded up to protect them again Russian attacks.

The UK Ministry of Defence has shared its daily intelligence update this morning in which it reflects on Russia's invasion of Ukraine and Moscow's latest military strategy.

"In recent weeks, Russia has likely changed its approach again. Its campaign now likely primarily seeks to degrade the Ukrainian military, rather than being focused on seizing substantial new territory," the ministry says in a tweet.

"The Russian leadership is likely pursuing a long-term operation where they bank that Russia’s advantages in population and resources will eventually exhaust Ukraine."

Alice Cuddy, reporting from Kyiv

Throughout the day, we will be posting answers to questions you submitted to our correspondents, who will be sharing their insights into the war and what the conflict has meant for Ukraine, Russia and the rest of the world.

And later, Ukraine correspondent James Waterhouse and head of the BBC's Ukrainian service Marta Shokalo, will be joining me here in Kyiv.

Here is how you can send them questions:

• Email: yourquestions@bbc.co.uk
• WhatsApp: +44 7756 165803
• Tweet: @BBC_HaveYourSay, external
• Please read our terms & conditions and privacy policy

In some cases a selection of your comments and questions will be published, displaying your name and location as you provide it unless you state otherwise. Your contact details will never be published.

Alice Cuddy, reporting from Kyiv

I’ve just been inside an “invincibility point” in central Kyiv.

The orange tent was erected on Thursday, and is one of many across the country designed as a place to access basic services if Russian strikes cut the electricity supply.

“There’s always heating, water, electricity, coffee and tea here. There’s a children’s play area and a place to get changed,” explains Ivan, a rescue worker.

Inside today, people are making the most of the warmth and chatting over cups of tea and coffee.

Image source, Office of the Ukrainian President

Ukraine has neither broken down nor surrendered and knows "every tomorrow is worth fighting for".

That's the message from Ukraine's defiant President Volodymyr Zelensky in his latest address, in which he says this is "the year of invincibility. The furious year of invincibility."

"We will do everything to gain victory this year."

He also thanked the military, medics, volunteers and Ukraine's foreign partners for joining efforts in putting up resistance to Russian aggression.

"We withstand all threats, shelling, cluster bombs, cruise missiles, kamikaze drones, blackouts, and cold. We are stronger than that," he said.

You can read his full speech here., external

David Brown
BBC News Visual Journalism Team

Image source, Reuters

Within a few weeks of the invasion beginning, Russian troops were in control of large areas of Ukraine.

They had advanced to the suburbs of Kyiv and controlled much of the north-east of the country around Sumy.

They were bombarding Kharkiv and they had taken territory in the east and south as far as Kherson, surrounding the port city of Mariupol.

By October the picture had changed dramatically. Having failed to take Kyiv, Russia withdrew from the north.

And Ukraine had its first major success, pushing Russia back from Kharkiv and counter-attacking around Kherson.

One year since the invasion, Ukraine is in control of Kherson and fighting is concentrated in the east, with the heaviest around the town of Bakhmut.

Image source, .

Image source, Reuters

Rishi Sunak will lead the nation in a minute's silence to mark the anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion from Downing Street at 11:00 GMT.

During a G7 meeting later today, the PM will also urge allies to increase armed support to Ukraine, including delivering longer range weapons to be supplied to Ukrainian armed forces.

Alice Cuddy, reporting from Kyiv

There’s a heavy security presence here in Kyiv this morning.

I’ve just been speaking to Anna Dovhopolova next to seized Russian military vehicles on display in the centre of the city.

She was carrying flowers in the colours of the Ukrainian flag, which she plans to lay in memory of her friend who died fighting in Bakhmut.

Anna told me she wasn’t afraid of Russian attacks today. “Nothing can surprise me now. I’ve been in Kyiv since the beginning,” the 32-year-old said.

And now, some news that came in overnight: the US has said it will give Ukraine a new military aid package worth $2bn, a top American official has said.

Jake Sullivan, White House national security adviser, was with President Biden on his surprise visit to Kyiv earlier this week.

Sullivan said that while they were there, Biden told Ukraine’s President Zelensky his country would get “more artillery, more ammunition, more Himars", as well as the earlier promised US armoured vehicles and - at a later date - tanks.

Himars - the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System - is a missile launcher mounted on a five-tonne truck which can fire six guided missiles, external in quick succession. Zelensky has said they’re changing the course of the war against Russia.

Sullivan hasn’t outlined what types of arms Ukraine should expect from the latest package. Speaking at a CNN event late on Thursday, US officials were constantly deciding how "to give Ukraine the tools that it needs to win”.

Read more about what weapons the world has given to Ukraine so far.

Image source, Reuters

Alice Cuddy, reporting from Kyiv

It’s morning here in Kyiv on the anniversary of Russia’s invasion.

In a Telegram post, President Zelensky began the day with a rallying call to Ukrainians.

“On February 24, millions of us made a choice. Not a white flag but a blue and yellow flag. Not fleeing, but facing. Facing the enemy. Resistance and struggle,” he wrote.

“It was a year of pain, sorrow, faith and unity. And this is a year of our invincibility. We know that this will be the year of our victory!”

There have been warnings that Russia could be planning an attack to coincide with the anniversary.

During the night, there were strikes reported in the regions of Kramatorsk and Kherson. Kherson's main pipeline was damaged.

Alice Cuddy, reporting from Kyiv

Until this time last year, Arina was enjoying what she describes as a happy and ordinary life.

The 30-year-old was working as a singing teacher and spent a lot of time with her close-knit family. Her mother owned a small clothes shop, her father was a mechanic, and her teenage sister was studying at college.

But when Russia launched its full-scale invasion, everything changed.

“The war made me re-evaluate my life and realise how good everything used to be,” Arina says.

Arina’s father joined the military and headed to the frontlines, while Arina, her sister and their mother fled across the border. Their long and difficult journey included driving across Ukraine in fear of being hit by Russian shells and then crossing the border by foot.

The family,“lost, tired and stressed”, then made their way to Denmark.

Arina spent almost a year living there, but was unable to find paid work and “missed home a lot”.

She returned to Kyiv this week, where she was briefly reunited with her father, who was on a short break from duty.

“I was worried before coming back but realising that my dad would be here and I’d be able to see him made all the worrying go away. Family is everything,” Arina says.

Arina’s father is returning to the frontlines in eastern Ukraine today, and she is preparing to embark on a new life back in Ukraine.

“Everything is ruined because of the war. I don’t have the job I had, the clothing store is closed, my dad is at war,” Arina says.

“What I wish for most is to feel that peace I felt when Ukraine wasn’t at war.”

Image source, EPA

And now, some news that came in overnight: China has called for the resumption of peace talks to end the war in Ukraine, as it continues to cast itself as a neutral party in the conflict.

In a 12-point paper, external, Beijing stressed its opposition to the use of nuclear weapons. Its first point urged parties to respect the sovereignty of all nations.

It all urged the world to abandon the “Cold War mentality” by ending “any unilateral sanctions not authorised by UN security council”. Various countries have imposed sanctions on Russia.

The paper follows accusations made by the US that China is considering arming Russia, which Beijing said were false.

China has also been criticised by the US and its allies for refusing to condemn Russia's invasion.

On Wednesday, Russia's President Putin met China's top foreign policy official, Wang Yi, in Moscow and said co-operation with Beijing was "important to stabilise the international situation". The visit made China's claim to neutrality difficult to stand up.

Ukraine chargé d'affaires (a diplomat of a lower rank acting in place of an ambassador) in Beijing, Zhanna Leshchynska, said the paper showed China wants to be involved in the global effort to stop the war in Ukraine. But she added that China should talk to both countries - and said that, so far, it hasn't been talking to Ukraine.

Thousands of civilians have been killed. The BBC World Service’s Newshour programme has been speaking to the families of three people killed as a result of the conflict. We will publish their stories on this page through the day.

Alexei Kovalev first met Oksana Baulina when they worked together for Time Out Moscow in 2007.

“She ran the fashion desk and was always incredibly energetic. She taught Muscovite women what to wear and told them about the latest nail polish colour," he remembers. "Neither of us had any interest in politics."

Alexei, who writes for the exiled independent Russian news website Meduza, remembers Oksana's political awakening in 2010.

She left fashion journalism after the 2014 annexation of Crimea and joined Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny’s team as a producer on his YouTube show. She took great care over the way the guests were dressed.

She was working in Poland for investigative website The Insider when the war in Ukraine broke out and - according to Alexei - jumped at the offer of an assignment to Kyiv, even though she’d never worked in a war zone before.

She was killed in March, when a rocket struck a shopping centre in the Podil district of the Ukrainian capital.

Ukraine and Russia have a long, complicated history. Ukraine became independent in 1991, following the fall of the USSR, and gradually grew closer to the European Union and the West.

Russia had long resisted Ukraine's move towards the EU and the West's defensive military alliance Nato.

For years, Putin denied Ukraine its own statehood, culminating in a lengthy 2021 essay saying that Russians and Ukrainians were one people.

He frequently accused Ukraine of being taken over by extremists, ever since its pro-Russian President, Viktor Yanukovych, was ousted in 2014 after months of protests against his rule.

At that time, Russia retaliated by seizing the southern Ukrainian region of Crimea. An uprising in the east by Russian-backed separatists sparked a war that claimed some 14,000 lives.

In 2021, Putin began deploying big numbers of Russian troops close to Ukraine's borders.

For months Putin had denied he would invade his neighbour. Announcing the invasion on 24 February 2022, he accused Nato of threatening Russia’s “historic future as a nation".

The US had warned its European partners that military manoeuvres on Russia's borders were consistent with preparations for an attack on Ukraine but, until this day last year, few believed Russia could genuinely launch the invasion it did.

Yet, perhaps just as few thought Ukraine would be able to hold out for as long as it has.

Image source, Getty Images

02:30 (all times in GMT) In a televised speech, Russian President Vladimir Putin announces the launch of a “special military operation” in Ukraine

03:27 The first explosions are heard in Kyiv, and more blasts are reported across the country as Ukrainians wake up to war

04:58 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirms reports of nationwide missile strikes

11.56 Nato activates its defence plans, which include more than 100 jets on standby and 120 allied ships at sea, from the Arctic to the Mediterranean

12:03 The UK's then-Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, addresses the nation, saying: "Our worst fears have come true and all our warnings have proved tragically accurate. President Putin of Russia has unleashed war… without any provocation and any credible excuse"

18:50 There are reports that the port city of Mariupol has been coming under heavy fire

21:40 Almost 2,000 people are arrested at anti-war protests in 40 cities across Russia

22:59 Zelensky calls for general mobilisation and imposes martial law. He reports that 137 Ukrainians died on the first day of the assault

Image source, Getty Images

Alice Cuddy, reporting from Kyiv

Good morning from the Ukrainian capital Kyiv.

It’s a year since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine - the biggest war on European soil since World War Two.

Ukrainian lives have changed forever. Families have been broken up, tens of thousands of people have been killed and Russian soldiers have committed atrocities that have shocked the world.

I’ll be with you throughout the day here in the Ukrainian capital, reporting on the latest on the ground and hearing from people about how the war has changed their lives.

This afternoon, our Ukraine correspondent James Waterhouse and BBC Ukrainian editor Marta Shokalo will be joining me to answer your questions live.