Fourth anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine - in pictures

  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and first lady Olena Zelenska are joined in Kyiv's Independence Square on February 24, 2026, by Ulf Kristersson, Prime Minister of Sweden; Evika Siliņa, Prime Minister of Latvia; Mette Frederiksen, Prime Minister of Denmark; Antonio Costa, President of the European Council; Alexander Stubb, President of Finland; Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission; Kristrun Frostadottir, Prime Minister of Iceland; and Jonas Gahr Store, Prime Minister of Norway, at a ceremony to commemorate the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Getty Images
    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and first lady Olena Zelenska are joined in Kyiv's Independence Square on February 24, 2026, by Ulf Kristersson, Prime Minister of Sweden; Evika Siliņa, Prime Minister of Latvia; Mette Frederiksen, Prime Minister of Denmark; Antonio Costa, President of the European Council; Alexander Stubb, President of Finland; Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission; Kristrun Frostadottir, Prime Minister of Iceland; and Jonas Gahr Store, Prime Minister of Norway, at a ceremony to commemorate the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Getty Images
  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and first lady Olena Zelenska and foreign leaders place candles during the ceremony to commemorate the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in Independence Square on February 24, 2026 in Kyiv, Ukraine. Getty Images
    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and first lady Olena Zelenska and foreign leaders place candles during the ceremony to commemorate the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in Independence Square on February 24, 2026 in Kyiv, Ukraine. Getty Images
  • Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga, centre left, greets European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, centre right, on her arrival in Kyiv, as Ukraine marks the fourth anniversary of Russia's invasion. AFP
    Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga, centre left, greets European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, centre right, on her arrival in Kyiv, as Ukraine marks the fourth anniversary of Russia's invasion. AFP
  • People visit a memorial to fallen Ukrainian soldiers in Independence Square before a ceremony to commemorate the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2026 in Kyiv, Ukraine. Getty Images
    People visit a memorial to fallen Ukrainian soldiers in Independence Square before a ceremony to commemorate the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2026 in Kyiv, Ukraine. Getty Images
  • Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer, centre left, marks the fourth anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine during a Cabinet meeting in Downing Street, London. AFP
    Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer, centre left, marks the fourth anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine during a Cabinet meeting in Downing Street, London. AFP
  • Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga, left, greets European Council President Antonio Costa upon his arrival in Kyiv. AFP
    Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga, left, greets European Council President Antonio Costa upon his arrival in Kyiv. AFP
  • The EU Council, left, and EU Commission, right, buildings in Law Street, Brussels, Belgium, are illuminated in the colours of the flag of Ukraine to commemorate the anniversary of the Ukrainian war. EPA
    The EU Council, left, and EU Commission, right, buildings in Law Street, Brussels, Belgium, are illuminated in the colours of the flag of Ukraine to commemorate the anniversary of the Ukrainian war. EPA
  • In Seoul, South Korea, a South Korean protester holds a placard outside the Russian embassy on the fourth anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine war. AFP
    In Seoul, South Korea, a South Korean protester holds a placard outside the Russian embassy on the fourth anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine war. AFP
  • A moment of silence for the dead on the fourth anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, in the town of Irpin, Kyiv region, Ukraine. Reuters
    A moment of silence for the dead on the fourth anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, in the town of Irpin, Kyiv region, Ukraine. Reuters
  • A memorial to fallen Ukrainian soldiers at the People's Memorial of National Remembrance in Independence Square in Kyiv, Ukraine. Getty Images
    A memorial to fallen Ukrainian soldiers at the People's Memorial of National Remembrance in Independence Square in Kyiv, Ukraine. Getty Images
  • People visit the graves of relatives killed during Russia's attack on Ukraine as Lychakiv Cemetery in Lviv is illuminated by a large-scale light installation called Lights of Memory. Reuters
    People visit the graves of relatives killed during Russia's attack on Ukraine as Lychakiv Cemetery in Lviv is illuminated by a large-scale light installation called Lights of Memory. Reuters
  • Memorials in the Alley of Heroes at a cemetery in the town of Bucha, Kyiv region, pay tribute to the dead on the fourth anniversary of the Russian invasion. Reuters
    Memorials in the Alley of Heroes at a cemetery in the town of Bucha, Kyiv region, pay tribute to the dead on the fourth anniversary of the Russian invasion. Reuters
  • A woman prays next to a portrait of a relative while she visits a memorial dedicated to Ukrainian defenders on the fourth anniversary of Russia's invasion, in Kyiv. Reuters
    A woman prays next to a portrait of a relative while she visits a memorial dedicated to Ukrainian defenders on the fourth anniversary of Russia's invasion, in Kyiv. Reuters
  • Polyna visits the grave of her brother-in-law, killed during the Russian invasion at Irpin cemetery. Getty Images
    Polyna visits the grave of her brother-in-law, killed during the Russian invasion at Irpin cemetery. Getty Images