Ukrainians in Chicago said it's a time of reflection, prayer, and hope for peace.

Russia is increasingly reliant on foreign fighters from around the world to prosecute its war in Ukraine, writes

Ukrainians on Tuesday were observing the fourth anniversary of Russia’s all-out invasion of their country — a grim marker in a war that has killed tens of thousands of people and put European leaders on edge about the scale of Moscow’s ambitions on the continent.

MOSCOW, Feb 24 (Reuters) - Russia accused Ukraine on Tuesday of trying to obtain a nuclear weapon with help from Britain and France, an allegation Kyiv called an absurd lie. A French foreign ministry spokesperson said the allegation was "blatant disinformation".

In the war's first year, Ukraine forced back the Russian offensive at the gates of Kyiv and reclaimed swathes of occupied land. But a Ukrainian counteroffensive failed the following year, and since then Moscow has made slow but relentless gains in costly battles along a 1,200-km (750-mile) front.

Among the most difficult points are the fate of Ukraine's partially occupied eastern Donbas region and the nature of post-war Western security guarantees for Ukraine.

Four years of war in Ukraine has brought seismic evolution to the world - to the nature of warfare, the balance of global powers, and to European security.

Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine Mariana Betsa addresses a General Assembly meeting on the 4th anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, at the United Nations headquarters in New York City, U.S., February 24, 2026. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton