‘Glory to the Heroes!’ rang out as a trumpet sounded beneath golden dome, writes Ian Birrell in Kyiv

Early yesterday morning, as I was leaving my apartment in the city center, ten young runners from a local running club passed me on the sidewalk. Every last one of them carried the Ukrainian flag around their shoulders.

It was yet another symbol of the nation’s unwavering patriotism, and a reminder of Vladimir Putin’s failure to crush Ukraine with his full-scale invasion that began a year ago.

In Hagia Sophia Square, the president who symbolized Ukraine’s refusal to bow to Moscow handed out medals to members of the armed forces and some of the families of his fellow citizens who have died since the Russian attack.

“Slava Ukraini (Glory to Ukraine)!” said Volodymyr Zelensky, the nation’s rallying cry heard around the world. Hundreds of soldiers, with their weapons on their chests, shouted: ‘Heroyam Slava (Glory to the heroes)!’

In the moving ceremony, a lone, mournful trumpet blasted over the ranks of uniformed troops, standing in front of a beautiful gold-domed cathedral.

Members of the Ukrainian community hold a large flag as they take part in a demonstration in front of the Russian embassy to mark the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

People attending a memorial march led by the Ukrainian community

A picture of the front in Ukraine. The date of yesterday, February 24, is engraved in the memory of all Ukrainians: the day when the industrial war returned to Europe.

The date of yesterday, February 24, is engraved in the memory of all Ukrainians: the day when the industrial war returned to Europe.

So after a nightmarish year, this was a day for somber reflection, but also to remember the strength of the nation in the fight against the Kremlin.

“On this day, our children and grandchildren will remember how strong Ukrainians are mentally, physically and spiritually,” Tetiana Klimkova said as she queued to buy special commemorative postage stamps released for the anniversary.

Many people shared memories on social media of that gloomy day a year ago when they woke up to the sound of missiles, and in many parts of the country, including the outskirts of the capital, saw Russian troops and tanks on their streets.

Others posted the last normalcy images they had captured before the darkness of war descended. Disturbingly, there were thousands of photographs of families, friends, and homes, many of them torn apart by the depravity of war.

kyiv has suffered less than other Ukrainian cities. Yet over the past year, air raid sirens have sounded 680 times, 160 civilians have been killed in Russian attacks, and 700 buildings have been damaged.

Outside a supermarket, Olexsandr, a 52-year-old railway worker, told me he came from Bakhmut: a town in the eastern Donbas region that now lies in ruins after some of the fiercest fighting of the war.

A woman wipes tears during the ecumenical prayer service at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral

Natalia, 42, a former actress in a kyiv theater, said two of her theater companions died fighting on the front lines. “We all have to help out and do what we can to support the army,” she said.

Outside a supermarket, Olexsandr, a 52-year-old railway worker, told me he came from Bakhmut: a town in the eastern Donbas region that now lies in ruins after some of the fiercest fighting of the war.

He fled to kyiv with his wife in April; His adult children are abroad. “I try to stay positive,” he said. ‘Putin thought he would be quick and the people in the east would support him, but he was wrong. It’s hard to be Ukrainian, but I hope all this pain is worth it.’

Natalia, 42, a former actress in a kyiv theater, said two of her theater companions died fighting on the front lines.

At least Natalia’s brother, who joined the army after the war broke out, is so far unharmed. A recent survey found that nearly one in five Ukrainians have lost a loved one in the war.

She recounted how, when the war broke out, her nine-year-old son covered the windows of their house with duct tape to prevent them from breaking in the event of a bomb explosion. She later asked her if they were all going to die. “We never expected Putin to be so crazy about attacking Ukraine,” she admitted.

A doctor in Ukraine showed a pair of Russian wings from the drone that struck early in the morning of that day.

The only way for the Ukrainians to escape the Russian drone or the winter cold is to hide in the dugout.

The war in Ukraine has claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands and displaced millions more

However, like many of his own, his response was one of steadfast determination, although he initially fled abroad at the start of the war. “We all have to help out and do what we can to support the army,” he said.

She now spends $5,000 a month with her businessman husband buying supplies for the troops, and so far they have donated four cars, six drones and many sets of bulletproof vests. Meanwhile, her mother is part of a group that has made 300 camouflage nets.

Such determination and unity underscores why, against all odds, kyiv still stands free at the heart of a nation that defied a dictator and rebuffed Russia’s tanks.

“This has been the most difficult year of my life and of all Ukrainians,” said Diana Shestakova, 23. “I’m sure we’ll be victorious, but we don’t know how long we’ll have to wait.”