Ukrainians were shocked by Russia’s war. Now many are numb and hopeless

Al JazeeraCenterEN 4 min read 100% complete by Nils AdlerFebruary 24, 2026 at 11:03 AM

AI Summary

long article 4 min

In a reflective piece marking four years of reporting from Ukraine, Al Jazeera's Nils Adler details the shift in Ukrainian sentiment since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. Initially, most Ukrainians dismissed the possibility of a widespread attack, but the reality of war quickly set in, marked by air raid sirens, martial law, and mass displacement. The first year saw a surge of patriotism and successful Ukrainian resistance. However, Russia's change in tactics, including missile strikes on cities like Dnipro, ushered in a new phase. As the war prolonged, the initial shock and patriotic fervor have given way to numbness and hopelessness among many Ukrainians.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Moscow 40% Dnipro 50% Lviv ×250% Mariupol 50% Kyiv 50% Bucha 60% Nils Adler ×270% Volodymyr Zelenskyy 70% Russia ×590% Ukraine ×8100%

Keywords

russia's war 100% ukraine 90% invasion 80% russian troops 70% martial law 60% air raid sirens 60% ballistic missile 50% patriotism 50% psychological impact 40%