The Early Days of the War in Ukraine

The war in Ukraine began unexpectedly on February 24, 2022, catching many, including Ukrainian President Zelensky, off guard despite prior warnings from U.S. intelligence. As Russian forces launched a full-scale invasion, many Ukrainians harbored hope that war could be avoided, believing the situation was exaggerated. The immediate response included a rapid counterattack, demonstrating the resilience of the Ukrainian military, which was initially unprepared for the scale of the invasion. Reports highlight the significant casualties on both sides, with the hope that Ukraine could prevent the total collapse of its government and sovereignty.