The Ukraine war has taken a devastating toll on civilians, with 2025 being the deadliest year since the conflict began. According to the United Nations (UN), at least 2,514 civilians lost their lives last year, a 31% increase from 2024 and a staggering 70% rise from 2023. This alarming trend is further emphasized by the sharp increase in injured civilians each year. The year's deadliest attack, which occurred in the western city of Ternopil in November, resulted in the tragic deaths of 38 civilians, including eight children. President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that Russian strikes in Kharkiv killed four people and left hundreds of thousands of households without power, especially in freezing temperatures around Kyiv. The UN mission's findings highlight a disturbing pattern: the protection of civilians has significantly deteriorated, driven by intensified front-line hostilities and the expanded use of long-range weapons, exposing civilians to heightened risks across the country. The conflict's impact extends beyond the battlefield, with Russia deliberately targeting energy infrastructure to deprive people of power, water, and heating, as evidenced by the recent power outages in Kyiv and the freezing temperatures faced by residents. The situation is further exacerbated by the use of drones, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles, as witnessed in the overnight attacks on cities across Ukraine. The war's duration, now at 1,418 days, mirrors the Soviet army's participation in World War II, and the EU ambassador to Ukraine, Katarina Matheronva, has boldly stated that Putin chose, planned, and launched this war, which he now owns.
