Russia ‘Has Not Won’ as Ukraine War Enters Fifth Year, Zelenskyy Says

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has declared that **Russia “has not won” as the war in Ukraine enters its fifth year, emphasizing Kyiv’s determination to continue fighting despite immense human cost and a grinding stalemate on the battlefield.
In a nationally broadcast address on Tuesday, Zelenskyy reiterated that Russia’s invasion has failed to break Ukrainian resolve or achieve its strategic objectives, even as thousands more lives have been lost and substantial swathes of Ukrainian territory remain contaminated by ongoing combat and occupation.
“The enemy has not won and will never gain a victory on our land,” Zelenskyy said, reflecting a theme of resilience that has characterized Ukrainian leadership since Russia’s February 24, 2022 invasion. “This is not only a military struggle but a battle for our statehood, our identity, and the future of Europe.”
Fifth Year of War
The conflict entered its fifth year amid what military analysts describe as a protracted war of attrition. Front lines in the eastern and southern regions have largely stabilized, though occasional localized offensives and artillery duels continue. Ukrainian forces have sought limited counterattacks to disrupt supply lines and regain territory, but strategic breakthroughs have been rare.
Russia, for its part, continues to reinforce positions and conduct missile and drone strikes across Ukraine, frequently targeting energy infrastructure and civilian areas, particularly during winter months. Moscow’s official narrative frames the campaign as a defense against Western influence and a struggle to protect Russian-speaking populations in Ukraine’s east.
Zelenskyy’s address acknowledged the toll of nearly five years of conflict: disrupted communities, destroyed infrastructure, and a generation of children who have grown up amid air-raid sirens. Even so, he emphasized that Ukraine’s international alliances and domestic resistance have countered Russia’s broader ambitions.
International Support and Political Divisions
Ukraine’s survival has depended heavily on ongoing support from Western partners, particularly the United States and European Union members, which have supplied weapons, funds, and diplomatic backing. However, this support has periodically encountered political headwinds, particularly as debates over budget priorities and election cycles influence policy in capitals such as Washington and Berlin.
“We are grateful for the support of our partners,” Zelenskyy said, thanking nations that have provided artillery systems, anti-aircraft missiles, and training for Ukrainian troops. “But we also understand that this war will not end until we regain every inch of our sovereign territory.”
Political divisions abroad have occasionally slowed Western aid and complicated unified responses. Hungarian and Slovak leaders, for example, have at times expressed reservations about certain aid packages, arguing for greater oversight or alternative diplomatic approaches.
Despite these challenges, Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine remains committed to pursuing every possible avenue of international coordination — from military alliances to economic diplomacy — while maintaining its own agency on the battlefield.
Human Cost and Civilian Hardship
As the war enters its fifth year, the human cost continues to mount. United Nations agencies and humanitarian organizations report tens of thousands of civilian casualties, while millions have been displaced either internally or as refugees abroad. Rebuilding homes, schools, and hospitals in frontline regions remains a daunting task under conditions of active danger.
“We remember every name, and we fight for every future,” Zelenskyy said, addressing the families of fallen soldiers and victims of attacks. His message was one of shared grief and collective purpose, a reminder that the war’s impact extends far beyond strategic lines on a map.
Future Prospects
Military analysts believe that the coming year will be critical in determining whether the conflict remains frozen, escalates further, or transitions into a new phase. Ukraine’s ability to secure advanced air-defense weapons, sustained ammunition supplies, and cohesive diplomatic backing may influence both the length and outcome of the war.
Russia’s long-term goals remain opaque, with some analysts arguing that Moscow is seeking to consolidate territorial control rather than achieve complete military victory. Others suggest that internal pressures within Russia, including economic sanctions and political dissent, could shape Moscow’s willingness to negotiate.
Yet for Ukrainians in both government and society, the message remains resolute: Russia has not won, and the struggle for sovereignty, security, and dignity continues unabated.