As the war in Ukraine reaches its 1,000th day, the ongoing conflict shows no sign of ending, with growing global concerns and rising casualties.
On Tuesday, a gathering of relatives of Ukrainian prisoners of war took place in Kyiv to honor their loved ones as the full-scale Russian invasion marked its 1,000th day.
On the first day of the full-scale invasion at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, Tetiana Mozol’s husband was taken along with 75 other individuals.
“Our lives have come to a standstill,” Mozol remarked while joining others at the rally. “It’s as if everything ceased without our loved ones.”
Halyna Saienko, a 66-year-old internally displaced resident from the Donetsk region, stood reverently at the Maidan memorial adorned with flowers and flags.
“I never anticipated Putin doing something so terrible to a country as close as Ukraine,” she lamented.
Postal worker Valentyn, meanwhile, examined a flag memorial honoring soldiers who lost their lives defending Ukraine in Kyiv’s central Independence Square.
Before Russia’s invasion, this area was an ordinary green lawn in the heart of Ukraine’s capital. It used to be a popular spot for tourists taking photos and locals enjoying weekend strolls.
However, 1,000 days of war have turned it into an impromptu memorial adorned with blue-and-yellow flags—each one paying tribute to a soldier who lost their life fighting against Russia. Many were volunteers who left their civilian lives behind to defend their country.
Their loved ones, left alone with their sorrow, hope that the sacrifices made will always be remembered.
They place small, straightforward flags marked by hand with names and the dates of their passing. As time has passed, these flags have increased in number, swaying gently in the wind while seasons shift and the war continues uninterrupted.
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Valentyn mentioned that despite the ongoing uncertainty caused by the relentless conflict, he still made plans, albeit only for the next two or three days at a time.
He added, “In the long run, I’m not making any plans. We’re still anticipating our victory; otherwise, it would be disastrous.”
According to the Associated Press archives, flags were first placed at the memorial in May during the war’s inaugural year. This occurred shortly after Russian troops retreated from the Kyiv region, lifting the immediate threat of occupation over the capital. Photographs from that period reveal dozens of flags meticulously aligned in rows across a grassy field.
As the war persisted, the area underwent a transformation. The grass disappeared, giving way to well-trodden paths that resemble those in a cemetery, weaving through thousands of flags. Amidst them have emerged numerous portraits — brought by relatives — depicting confident faces smiling from military uniforms.
The city authorities have no control over this memorial, as it was established by the community out of a profound desire to honor their fallen in lieu of an official government tribute.
Soldiers and their families visit this place to sit for extended periods, quietly gazing into the distance. Nearly every day, new flags are added.
In the vicinity, funeral ceremonies occur nearly every day, each followed by moments of silence. People passing by pause to kneel and observe with quiet reverence. However, before long, life in the capital resumes its normal rhythm.
The memorial continues to expand daily, serving as a reminder of the cost Ukraine bears for its freedom.
