Friday marks 1 year since Russia's invasion of Ukraine
It has been one year since the invasion of Ukraine forever changing that country and the world. On that day, about 5 a.m. local time, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced what he called a special military operation, setting off the biggest military invasion in Europe since World War II. It will be scary to stay at home at night. It will be dark. The explosion is there sending hundreds of Ukrainians underground into subway stations for shelter.
That of course was only just the beginning of what's now been 365 days of relentless battle. More than 20,000 Ukrainian troops since civilians have been killed in the war. UN data shows that more than 8 million fled their home country and more than 14,000 now here in New York State, according to state government numbers. We have team coverage for you on this day looking at how Ukrainians here in the city are remaining resilient a year later. But we begin with Dick Brennan on the latest developments in the war. Dick. Well, Mr.
Kristi, the U.S. support of Ukraine has been consistent. The Pentagon announced a new $2 billion security assistance package, including more ammunition and small high-tech drones. The total U.S. commitment is now more than $32 billion.
After one year, Ukraine may be a war-rearing nation, but its people have not lost their will to fight. And so they've defied the odds holding off the mighty Russian army. But for President Volodymyr Zelensky, the most difficult part was missing his family. He fought back tears as he looked back on extremely tough times. Around the world, there were marches marking one year of one nation's extraordinary struggle. On this day, so many stopped to stand with Ukraine. One man, Vladimir Putin, started this war.
One man can end it. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told the UN Security Council, the U.S. remains steadfast in its support for Ukraine. If Russia stops fighting and leaves Ukraine, the war ends. If Ukraine stops fighting, Ukraine ends. At the UN this week, soldiers testified.
I'm a deputy commander of the National Guard's Ukraine Brigade, Hzov. Ilya Samilenko survived last year's siege of Mariupol. Our unit was defending Mariupol alongside with other neighboring units for 86 days. Russian forces had encircled the port city, and he told us so many were holed up inside a plan. All varieties of people was there with us defending the city, both military and civilians. Samilenko carries war wounds from years past. Actually, hand grenade basically exploded right in my face.
He lost an arm and an eye. Samilenko was part of a controversial battalion with roots in ultra-nationalist groups. Vladimir Putin went so far as to try to justify his aggression by claiming Russia was denazifying Ukraine. When Mariupol surrendered, Samilenko was taken to a Russian prison and spent four months in solitary. What was that like? Unpleasant. Unpleasant? Yes. To put it mildly.
Well, you know, I normally use the formulas like this. Far from ideal conditions. So unpleasant. Meaning what? Meaning like. It's very bad things. That's all he would say. He was released in a prisoner exchange.
Today there are new U.S. sanctions against Russia, including a 200-percent tariff on aluminum from that country. Effectively, a ban. Christine. All right, Dick. Thank you.
CBS2 News At 5, Ukraine, Russia