Four Years On: The Persistent Struggle of Ukraine Amid War and Western Misunderstandings

Good morning. Today marks four years since Russian tanks first rolled toward Kyiv, as Vladimir Putin launched the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which he insisted on calling a "special military operation." The initial assault was repelled, almost certainly to his surprise, and Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s government remained intact to marshal the nation’s defenses. What followed has been widely perceived as a grinding war of attrition. While Russia has made incremental advances in territory it had already destabilized through Moscow-backed separatist republics, Ukraine has been subjected to a relentless aerial assault on its infrastructure—one that Western support from sanctions to air defense systems and fighter jets has not been able to halt. Peace initiatives, with varying degrees of sincerity, have come and gone. Today, I spoke to Francis Farrell, a Ukraine-based reporter with the Kyiv Independent and co-author of its War Notes newsletter, about how the war looks from inside Ukraine four years on, and what he believes the West's audience and leaders still misunderstand. **Current Headlines:** - Peter Mandelson has been arrested and released on bail by detectives investigating allegations of misconduct in public office during his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein. - Hundreds of thousands fewer children with special educational needs and disabilities will be provided education, health, and care plans as a result of changes announced by the education secretary in the UK. - Reform UK’s plan to create an ICE-style deportation agency has faced condemnation for being perceived as sadistic. - The BBC has issued a new apology following an incident at the Bafta film awards where a racial slur was broadcast. - Donald Trump's decision to order airstrikes against Iran will depend significantly on the judgment of his special envoys. **In-Depth Analysis — A Struggle for Democratic Values:** Four years into the war, there is a sense of permanent exhaustion in Ukraine, but also a continued determination to push on because there is no alternative, Farrell tells me. The experience of war varies widely across the country and even within the same city. Recent waves of attacks on energy infrastructure have left residents in Kyiv with only two or three hours of electricity a day. What is frustrating for Ukrainians, Farrell notes, is that it appears sometimes Western partners and audiences are almost more tired of the war than they are, which complicates their reality further. When asked about U.S. support, the optimism surrounding Trump's initial return to the White House has curdled into distrust among many Ukrainians. Farrell explains that for them, the war is seen as a struggle for democratic values—and when they observe a U.S. leader showing contempt for those very values, it breeds skepticism. Zelenskyy's approval ratings have fluctuated amid corruption scandals; however, many Ukrainians make a separation between the president and these issues. Farrell highlights that Zelenskyy showed a commitment to the country's mission over personal loyalty when he dismissed officials accused of corruption. Yet, in the current conflict context, conducting elections would be perilous and public sentiment largely opposes them. **Life on the Frontlines:** The dynamics on the battlefield are complex, as seen through Farrell's reporting experiences. He emphasizes that the current phase of war is not merely bogged down but an attritional war of position where Russia is utilizing significant resources to exploit Ukraine's defense capabilities. Estimates of casualties reveal the harrowing human cost; while Russia claims lower numbers, figures indicate a staggering toll on both sides—approximately 325,000 Russian fatalities and upwards of 55,000 Ukrainian losses. **Skepticism About Peace Deals:** A future beyond the current conflict remains murky. Farrell's skepticism about imminent peace deals emphasizes his view that many so-called peace discussions are more about diplomatic optics than genuine solutions. He believes that Russia's core demand has not shifted: the total capitulation of Ukraine. As the war trudges on, nearly unrecognized by many on the outside, the defining question surfaces: Can Europe confront the reality of Russia's ambitions rather than clinging to hopes of a simple resolution? The sooner that acknowledgment manifests in Western policy, the better it may serve all parties involved. **Conclusion:** As we reflect on the four years of conflict, it is imperative to understand not just the statistics and headlines but the human narratives behind them. The war has reshaped lives, futures, and worldviews, making it necessary for the West to engage with compassion and clarity towards Ukraine's plight amid this prolonged struggle. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2