First Thing: Zelenskyy hails ‘three years of resistance’ on anniversary of Russian invasion

<p>It follows Russia’s biggest ever aerial attack on Ukraine. Plus, far-right AfD doubles support in German election</p><p>Good morning.</p><p>The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, hailed “three years of resistance … three years of absolute heroism of Ukrainians,” as foreign leaders arrived in Kyiv to mark the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion.</p><p><strong>What’s the latest war news?</strong> Russia launched its <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2025/feb/23/russia-launches-major-ukraine-drone-attack-on-eve-of-third-anniversary-of-invasion-video-report">biggest ever drone attack</a> on Ukraine, using 267 drones and killing at least four people.</p><p><strong>What did</strong> <strong>Zelenskyy say about US demands? </strong>He claimed the Trump administration was asking Ukraine to pay back $2 for every $1 of military aid the US provides going forward.</p><p><strong>What do we know about the death toll after three years of war?</strong> Zelenskyy said in December that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/10/ukraine-war-briefing-our-war-dead-43000-and-russias-198000-says-zelenskyy">43,000</a> Ukrainian soldiers had been killed, with 370,000 injured. US officials estimated last October that <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/10/us/politics/russia-casualties-ukraine-war.html">600,000</a> Russian troops had been killed or wounded. In November, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights verified <a href="https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-briefing-notes/2024/11/ukraine-grim-milestone-1000-days-russia-launched-full-scale-armed">12,162</a> civilians killed, including 659 children, though the total is likely much higher.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/24/first-thing-zelenskyy-hails-three-years-of-resistance-on-anniversary-of-russian-invasion-ukraine">Continue reading...</a>