On 24th February 2022, President Vladimir Putin delivered a poignant address, revealing a “special military operation” against Ukraine. This marked the genesis of what is now a full-blown war. As the conflict surpasses its 1,000th day, its grim reality remains deeply entrenched in both countries. Cities have been reduced to ruins, countless lives altered, and recovery seems a long road ahead.
## The Unforgiving Human Toll
The armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine has inflicted a humanitarian catastrophe. The United Nations estimates a death toll of at least 11,743, with over 24,600 injured by August 2024. Among the casualties, Ukrainian prosecutors report a heart-wrenching 589 children. Nevertheless, many contend that these figures do not reveal the full extent of loss. According to The Wall Street Journal, a confidential estimate placed the number at a staggering one million lives lost. Such tallies are fraught with complexity, with defence experts suggesting underreporting of voluminous losses to keep morale intact.
Additionally, the war instigated a massive displacement crisis, with over 10 million Ukrainians seeking refuge beyond their borders, influenced heavily by Russia’s aggressive stance. The UNHCR echoes this sentiment, revealing that some 6.7 million Ukrainians have settled in various European nations. Alas, the ramifications don’t end there. The war has devastated one of Europe’s most fertile regions, leading to a marked decline in Ukraine’s birth rate and population. For more insights on this demographic decline, read more about the impact [here](https://www.firstpost.com/explainers/russia-considering-a-ministry-of-sex-heres-why-13833969.html).
## Mental Agony and Heartbreak
Tragically, the war’s toll isn’t confined to physical injuries. The mental anguish it has wreaked is unprecedented. Children, as it’s been often remarked, disproportionately bear this burden. Many youngsters in frontline cities have been grounded indoors for days on end, shielding from incessant danger. Leah James from UNICEF divulges the staggering mental damage, noting that 40% of youth are absent from in-person schooling. In fact, according to a recent survey, half of adolescents aged 13 to 15 suffer from sleep disturbances, and a fifth is plagued by PTSD-like symptoms. To comprehend PTSD’s scope, look [here](https://www.firstpost.com/explainers/what-is-ptsd-the-condition-salman-rushdie-is-coping-with-after-the-knife-attack-12125622.html).

## Economic Destruction
The war’s economic repercussions have been unforgiving to both nations. By late 2023, a World Bank report pegged Ukraine’s infrastructure damage at $152 billion. Reconstruction costs shoot up to $486 billion, nearly three times Ukraine’s GDP for 2023. Ukraine bears a daily expenditure north of $140 million to sustain its military efforts. Meanwhile, Russia isn’t spared from the economic maelstrom. A Pentagon estimate articulated damages of $211 billion incurred by Russia. Both nations have been clobbered economically by sanctions. Read about Russia’s economic struggles despite sanctions [here](https://www.firstpost.com/explainers/how-russia-became-a-high-income-country-despite-western-sanctions-13789414.html).
Similarly, both Ukraine as the breadbasket of Europe, and Russia, have seen their agricultural outputs plummet due to the ongoing conflict. This has resulted in food prices spiralling and hunger exacerbating globally. For a closer look at how the conflict spurred a food crisis, visit this https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMioAFBVV95cUxPbjVGYmJhZlN3Tmc1T1F0eXJodlBYdElhbzgtRDcyNm11My1ncWdoandiTzhfZU8tVEU4NmpNQjdjWFhtZFUtOFdRbThhOTBHZlBVYzdYNVlJMnJLSXh4TXZ6cVpMbDJfNFVkSUVOVm8wZ21oRE54NFEtN3F5RW13ZGQ5WTNTNFVSN0JycXFsbzItODY3dnFTT3pLOVd1cjB40gGmAUFVX3lxTFBiS3pDQWt0SGJfS2F0RnFBVy1UTGw1czhGa0ZqblhibjhOaXdKNV9YMUg0SENSRy1QOFFCakNzRVQ0SjVCZUctaWlXbFFMVkxCbTZQWVo0NHIyTTA2VUVXeGlYQmROQzN2RzJQODEwbk05ZlMtVWFaUkFWVU5JRlR3N2w5c2ZLQVgzdTRKZjNwb19qd2g0MlNqNm1yakplY0tTaDlCZWc?oc=5(https://www.firstpost.com/world/explained-how-did-russia-ukraine-war-trigger-a-food-crisis-10809381.html).
## Redrawn Boundaries
The geographical face of the region has transformed radically. Russia asserts control over about a fifth of Ukraine’s territory comparable in size to Greece. The Donbas region in Eastern Ukraine and the Azov Sea coast in the south have largely fallen under Russian dominion. Yet, Ukraine showcases resilience with a strategic counteroffensive. In August, Ukraine launched significant assaults into Russia’s Kursk region, marking a heady escalation. Explore Ukraine’s strategic advancements [here](https://www.firstpost.com/explainers/how-ukraine-incursion-of-kursk-has-left-putin-humiliated-13803631.html).
## Echoing Calls for Peace
The indelible scars left by this war beckon a universal call: a call for peace. One recalls John Lennon’s somber plea, “Give peace a chance.” The dialogue is essential for the conflict parties, seeking a conclusive resolution beyond the pall of hopelessness.
*With insights from various agencies.*
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