The Russian invasion of Ukraine began in the early hours of February 24, 2022. The first signs were the emergence of tanks on the horizon, charging towards the border. Soon after, rockets rained down on Ukraine’s cities.
In a chilling speech that morning, riddled with innuendos and false pretenses, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced what he called a “special military operation.”
The speech included a threat that anyone “might be tempted to intervene” in the deadly and illegal attack on Ukraine would face “the consequences you have never experienced in your history.”
That morning, it seemed to the Kremlin and to many observers around the world that the invasion would be completed in weeks, if not days, given Russia’s perceived military prowess.
Millions of women and children fled to Ukraine’s western borders, seeking safety further into Europe, while Kiev ordered Ukrainian men to remain in the country.
Roads and train stations were clogged with residents frantically packing bags and leaving their homes, where they had been awakened moments before by rocket fire and air raid sirens.
It often took many days to get to the border. When they did, they faced long queues. In the end, thousands of Ukrainians finally arrived in relative safety in Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania or Moldova.
But for those unable or unwilling to leave, February 24 was a day of terror and bloodshed.
Russian rocket attacks destroyed homes, killed dozens and left many physical and mental scars.
The rockets seemingly fell everywhere – in the capital Kiev, where Moscow’s troops invading from the north had set their sights; in western cities like Lviv, hundreds of miles from the Russian border; and in cities and urban areas throughout Ukraine.
In a video statement, Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky said he believed “hostile sabotage groups” had entered Kiev and that he was their main target. His family, he said, was the second target.
“They want to destroy Ukraine politically by destroying the head of state,” he said, adding that he was staying in the government district.
Zelensky and his top team rejected opportunities to evacuate, instead staying to coordinate the response.
Ukraine’s troops launched a defiant defense of their country. Over the next few weeks, they would slowly but surely turn the tide of the war and drive the Russian troops back from the center of the country.
But none of that was known on February 24, a day Ukrainians will remember as a day of confusion, fear and defiance.