February 24, 2024

Ukrainian General Staff: 770 Russian troops killed or wounded in 24 hours; 23 tanks and APC’s destroyed or disabled

Ukraine Defense Ministry

Glory to Ukraine! Seventy-hundred thirty-first era of large-scale armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine began.

During the past day, there have been 84 combat clashes. In total, the enemy carried out 10 missiles and 93 air strikes, carried out 141 shelling from the volcano fire jet systems on the positions of our troops and settlements.

At night, the Russian invaders have attacked Ukraine by applying 12 bpla type “shahed”. All 12 kamikaze drones were destroyed by the air defense units.

The settlements of Novoyegorivka, Makiyivka, Bilogorivka of Luhansk region suffered air strikes; Torske, Klishchiyivka, Andriyivka, Bila Gora, Chasiv Yar, Kurdyumivka, New York, Novobakhmutivka, Orlivka, Tonenke, Krasnogorivka, Konstantinivka, Novomykhailivka, Vodyane Donetsk region and Mala Tokmachka, Robotine and Novodanylivka in Zaporozhye.

More than 110 settlements of Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhia, Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson and Mykolaiv oblasts came under artillery fire by Russian occupiers.

In the area of responsibility of the OSUV “North” in the Volyn and Polish directions, the operating environment remains without significant changes.

In the northern and slobozhansky directions, the enemy maintains a military presence in the border areas, conducts diversionary activities in order to prevent the transfer of our troops to threatening directions, increases the density of mine-explosive fences along the state border in the Belgorod region.

In the area of responsibility of the osuv “Khortytsia” in the kupâns Вkomu direction, the enemy carried out 2 unsuccessful attacks on the positions of our defenders in the area of syn зоkívki kharkiv region.

In the Limans Наkomu direction, our soldiers repelled 2 attacks of the enemy in the area of the settlement of Tern, which is in Donetsk.

In the Bakhmut direction, the defense forces repelled 9 attacks of the enemy in the areas of Bogdanivka and Ivanivsky Donetsk region.

In the area of responsibility of the OSUV “Tavria” in the Avdiyiv direction, our defenders repelled 9 attacks of the enemy in the areas of the settlements of Lastochkine, North and Pervomaiske.

In the Marinsky direction, the defense forces continue to restrain the enemy in the areas of Georgiyivka, Pobeda and Novomykhailivka, where the enemy 44 times tried to break through the defenses of our troops.

In the novopavlívs неkomu direction the enemy of aggressive (storming) actions did not lead.

In the direction of Zaporizhia, 8 attacks of the opponent near Robotinogo were repelled.

In the area of responsibility of the OSUV “Odessa” in the Kherson direction, our soldiers continue to hold positions and repel invaders’ assault. Suffering losses, the enemy does not stop trying to squeeze out our troops. Yes, over the past day the enemy carried out 8 unsuccessful assaults on the left bank of the Dnieper.

Over the past day, the Defense Forces has struck 6 areas of focus and 3 enemy anti-aircraft missile complexes.

Also by the units of the Air Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, another aircraft of far radiolocation detection and control of A-50 was destroyed.

And our rockets affected 4 areas of focus, control point, 3 artillery, ammunition warehouse and 2 rls zrk “Buk-M3” of the enemy.

The estimated losses of the enemy last day in total were: 770 Russian occupiers, 8 tanks, 15 combat armored vehicles, 36 artillery systems, 2 air-defense vehicles, 1 aircraft, 31 operational-tactical bps, 2 rockets, 28 cars and a special equipment unit.

President Zelenskyy: “None of us will allow Ukraine to end”

I am currently in Hostomel.

From here was supposed to begin that particular “take Kyiv and Ukraine in three days” scenario. It can be said in one sentence: two years ago, we met hostile landing with fire here; two years later, we welcome our friends and partners here.

Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni, Chair of the G7 Presidency. Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. Alexander De Croo, Prime Minister of Belgium, currently holding the presidency over the Council of the EU. This is symbolic. And it eloquently describes the path we have traveled over these two years and the difference between February 24th then and now.

You know, involuntarily, today every Ukrainian remembers that day. And each of us has their own February 24th. A unique memory of that day. How you woke up, who first wrote you and asked, “How are you?” who you first called, who you gave a hearty hug, what you said to your closest people then, and most importantly – what you did next.

Millions of different stories, but many have a similar episode. It’s the choice made by Ukrainians of different ages, professions, and regions. And it’s what brought people together: first in lines at the military enlistment office, and then in one trench on the front line. To defend the country.

And all those who stayed to work in the country. Who left the country, and who then returned.

And so, it’s been for two years. We have become 730 days closer to victory. Some are waiting for a prophet to tell them when it will come, but millions of Ukrainians simply remember the words of Kobzar: keep fighting – you are sure to win! And they have been following this for 730 days of dedication and courage. They are forged in the east, south, and north, in all directions where our soldiers fight. 730 days of resilience and endurance. They stand as pillars in all civilian cities and villages. And today, each of us will call our families. To hear loved ones’ voices, to wish each other what we’ve been waiting for. And today, unfortunately, each of us has someone to mourn.

And to honor their memory. And together, we bow our heads. 730 days of pain. But at the same time, 730 days of hope. For the highest justice. Which lies in the fact that we all have different stories of the beginning of the war, but there must be one final of this war. Victory. And remembering everything we’ve been through these two years – you understand: there can be no other way. Remembering what Ukrainians have already done – you know that we can definitely do it. It’s within our power. We will succeed. And here, in this place, you understand best – metal may not withstand, but Ukrainians do. You can burn the plane, but you cannot destroy the dream. The dream with which each of us falls asleep and wakes up for 730 days, with which you, all our citizens, all Ukrainians fall asleep.

A nation that endured in the first three days. And didn’t fall on the fourth. And fought for the fifth day. And then a month. And then six months. And now two years. Battles for freedom. Battles for life. Heroically fought by incredible people, to whom I always address in my speeches: Great people, of a great country.

I am incredibly proud of each of you. I admire each of you. I believe in each of you. Any normal person wants the war to end. But none of us will allow our Ukraine to end. That’s why when it comes to ending the war, we always add – on our terms. That’s why next to the word “peace,” the word “just” always sounds. That’s why in future history, next to the word Ukraine, the word “independent” will always stand. We fight for this. And we will prevail. On the best day of our lives. Thank you to all our soldiers. Thank you to our people. And to everyone in the world who stands by us and with truth.

Glory to Ukraine!

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Wilson Center

Forced displacement represents one of the most pressing humanitarian issues of our time. Individuals and families, torn from the fabric of their communities, find themselves navigating a world of uncertainty, often without basic necessities or a clear path to safety. There are currently some 110 million forced displaced, and this number is growing by 10 million each year!

At the heart of this crisis are the political triggers. Armed conflicts, ethnic or religious persecutions, and systemic human rights abuses force millions to flee their homes in terror. Many are displaced within their own national boundaries, while others seek asylum abroad. If these factors change as a result of political shifts at home or the pressures from abroad, they can return to their homes. Forced displacement is thus different from environmentally driven displacement, as victims of climate change may never be able to return to their homes.

The ramifications of any sort of displacement are profound, not just for those directly affected, but also for host communities and countries. Overburdened infrastructures, socio-economic strains, and cultural tensions can arise, necessitating comprehensive strategies to foster harmony and integration. Yet the root causes of forced displacement can be remedied with a concerted focus by local players and international diplomacy.

Organizations like Refugees International play a crucial role in this arena, advocating for the rights and needs of the displaced, conducting on-the-ground assessments, and influencing policymakers to take informed actions. Their relentless work underscores the gravity of the situation and the urgency ofinternational cooperation. But they, too, are overwhelmed by the rapid expansion of the crisis.

International Humanitarian Law (IHL), with its core principles centered on the protection of civilians during conflicts, plays a pivotal role in this discourse. Yet, despite clear legal frameworks, compliance remains
inconsistent. This initiative emphasizes the importance of upholding and reinforcing these international standards.

It’s not just about recognizing the problem; it’s about active engagement. We urge governments, organizations, and individuals to prioritize the rights and needs of the forced displaced. Through collective efforts, informed policies, and sustained advocacy, we can shift the narrative from passive acknowledgment to proactive intervention.