Russia launched its large-scale invasion against Ukraine on February 24, 2022, unleashing the deadliest war in Europe since World War II. Today marks four years of conflict, and on such a significant date, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, coinciding with the tenth visit of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to Kiev, stated that Ukraine seeks "peace, a strong, dignified, and lasting peace."
The conflict has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of civilians and hundreds of thousands of military personnel on both sides. Millions of refugees have fled from Ukraine, where large areas have been devastated by the fighting. Since the beginning of the year, several rounds of diplomatic talks have been held between envoys from Kiev, Moscow, and Washington, with no concrete progress so far.
Identified Russian deaths in four years of war reach 200,000
Russian soldiers killed in Ukraine in four years of war and identified by independent media with names and surnames have reached 200,000, as reported on Tuesday by the Mediazona portal and the Russian BBC service.
In total, 200,186 citizens of this country have died in combat with the Ukrainian army since the start of the so-called Russian 'special military operation' on February 24, 2022.
In the last month, the media have identified another 35,000 deaths in action, largely thanks to data from the inheritance certificate registry.
Mediazona and the BBC state that "it is very likely" that 2025 will be the year in which the Russian army has suffered the greatest losses in its ranks.
So far, almost 50,000 names have been identified, and estimates suggest that the death toll from the past year will exceed 90,000, compared to the 83,706 identifications for 2024.
Albares travels to Kiev to show Spain's support on the fourth anniversary of the Russian invasion
The Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union, and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, traveled to Kiev on Tuesday, coinciding with the fourth anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, to demonstrate the support of the Spanish government to the country alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as reported by Europa Press.
This is the fourth trip that Albares has made to Ukraine since the Russian invasion four years ago. The last one took place in January 2025, during which he visited Lviv, announcing a new ¤10 million humanitarian aid package, raising Spain's assistance of this kind to over ¤100 million.
On Monday, from Brussels, where he attended the Foreign Affairs Council, the minister reiterated that "Spain will stand by the people of Ukraine and the government of President Zelenskyy for as long as necessary."
Macron says the EU must specify European aid to Ukraine
French President Emmanuel Macron insisted on Tuesday that the European Union must "specify" the funding promised to Ukraine by the European Union (EU) with a ¤90 billion loan because that country is "the first line of defense" for Europe against Russia, as reported by Efe.
"Nothing justifies questioning it," he emphasized in a message posted by Macron on his X account, emphasizing that the goal is "for Ukraine to hold on and for Russia to understand that time is not on its side."
Macron also promises to continue putting pressure on the Russian war economy with more sanctions and actions against the so-called "Russian ghost fleet," referring to the ships used by Moscow to export its oil while bypassing international sanctions.
Macron's words regarding the EU loan to Ukraine gain particular resonance in light of the blockade by Hungary, which demands the resumption of the flow of Russian crude it receives through a now-closed pipeline in Ukraine in order to approve the loan.
China urges Ukraine not to focus its relationship with Europe a day before Merz's visit
The Ukraine crisis "is not and should not become an issue between China and Europe," stated the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, a day before German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's first official visit to the Asian country, according to Efe.
The department's spokesperson, Mao Ning, stated in a press conference that Beijing maintains an "objective and impartial position" on the conflict and supports a political solution through diplomatic efforts but "is not a party to the issue of Ukraine."
Mao responded to a question about the possibility of Merz addressing the war in Ukraine and Beijing's role in the conflict during his visit, indicating that the leaders "will exchange views on matters of common interest."
Russia launched 133 drones and a ballistic missile against Ukraine last night
Russia launched 133 long-range drones and an Iskander-M ballistic missile against Ukrainian territory last night, as reported by the Ukrainian Air Force in its report on Tuesday, as cited by Efe. Of the total drones, around 90 were kamikaze unmanned Shahed aircraft.
Ukrainian air defenses neutralized 111 of the drones over various regions in northern, southern, and eastern Ukraine, according to the report.
Another 19 drones and the ballistic missile could not be intercepted and hit sixteen unspecified locations by the Ukrainian Air Force.
Nordic and Baltic leaders travel to Kiev on the fourth anniversary
The leaders of the Nordic and Baltic countries are traveling to Kiev on Tuesday, marking the fourth anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and assess the continuation of military support to the country, sanctions against Russia, and peace negotiations promoted by the US, as reported by Efe.
The Prime Minister of Denmark, Mette Frederiksen, the Prime Minister of Sweden, Ulf Kristersson, and the President of Finland, Alexander Stubb, announced in statements from their respective offices their trip to the Ukrainian capital alongside the leaders of the Baltic countries.
In Kiev, they will join European Commission President (EC), Ursula von der Leyen, and European Council President, Antonio Costa, who have already arrived in the Ukrainian capital to "reaffirm their unwavering support for Ukraine's fight for freedom."
Frederiksen stated that the heads of state and government of the Nordic and Baltic countries will meet with Zelensky and discuss, among other topics, the continuation of military support to Ukraine, sanctions against Russia, and ongoing negotiations with that country.
Additionally, during the day, the leaders will participate via video conference from Kiev in the meeting of the so-called 'Volunteer Coalition' convened by French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Russia shoots down 103 Ukrainian drones on the eve of the fourth anniversary of the war
Russian anti-aircraft defenses shot down 103 Ukrainian drones in the last twelve hours as Tuesday marks the fourth anniversary of the start of the war in Ukraine, as reported by the Russian Ministry of Defense, according to Efe.
The Russian military command issued two reports on the attacks by Ukrainian thin-wing drones between 20:00 Moscow time (17:00 GMT) on Monday and 07:00 Moscow time (04:00 GMT) on Tuesday, reporting the downing of 24 drones initially and then another 79.
The most affected region was the border region of Belgorod, which was attacked by 28 drones during Monday night and early Tuesday morning, followed by the southern Krasnodar, where 21 were shot down.
Ukrainian aerial devices were also neutralized over the Black and Azov Seas, as well as the annexed Crimean peninsula and the regions of Saratov, Kursk, Rostov, and the Republic of Adygea.
Von der Leyen and Costa arrive in Kiev to reaffirm European support for Ukraine
The President of the European Commission (EC), Ursula von der Leyen, and the President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, arrived in Kiev on Tuesday to reaffirm support for Ukraine, just as the fourth anniversary of the Russian invasion of the country is marked, as reported by Efe.
"I am in Kiev for the tenth time since the war began to reaffirm that Europe will stand clearly with Ukraine, providing military and financial assistance to overcome this harsh winter. We send a message to the Ukrainian people and the aggressor. We will not stop until peace is restored, a peace on Ukraine's terms," said Von der Leyen.