Living in the midst of a prolonged three-year war in Ukraine: "This is my present reality"
In the third year of the full-scale war between Russia and Ukraine, the situation remains dire both militarily and humanitarianly. The conflict, Europe's deadliest since World War II, continues to claim lives, disrupt communities, and leave a trail of destruction across the nation.
**Military Front**
Russian forces have made territorial gains, with recent reports indicating an increase in the rate of territorial capture. As of early July 2025, approximately 18.8% of Ukrainian territory is under Russian occupation, amounting to about 43,889 square miles. The fighting remains intense, with frequent missile and drone attacks, including a major Russian air strike that launched 477 drones and 60 missiles, the biggest since the war began.
Ukrainian forces have had some advances in regions such as near Borova, Siversk, and western Zaporizhia Oblast, while Russian forces have advanced in Kupyansk, Toretsk, and Velyka Novosilka areas. High-profile targeted killings and assassinations have occurred, reflecting the ongoing covert and military operations. The United States and Western allies continue providing military aid, including critical air defense systems, though some deliveries have been paused to restock Pentagon supplies.
**Humanitarian and Everyday Life**
The war has resulted in a massive displacement crisis, with about 10 million Ukrainians living outside their homeland. Approximately 3.7 million are internally displaced persons (IDPs) within Ukraine, not counting pre-war displaced persons. The total displaced population within Ukraine might reach around 5 million.
Displacement patterns have shifted over time; initially, many fled westward, but now a significant number remain in eastern war-affected regions like Dnepropetrovsk and Kharkiv, with large IDP populations also near Kyiv. The socio-economic conditions for displaced persons have deteriorated substantially: two-thirds have exhausted their savings, only about half of working-age displaced individuals are employed, and about half rely on humanitarian aid, a far higher proportion than the general population.
Everyday life in occupied and war-affected areas is marked by ongoing military activity, disruptions, and hardship, with local resistance—both armed and civilian—remaining significant since the outset of the invasion in 2022. The population of small towns and villages in Ukraine is predominantly composed of women with children and the elderly due to military mobilization. People have adapted to the war, regarding it as their everyday life.
**Broader Perspective**
The war remains unresolved with no immediate peace prospects. Russian President Putin has rejected calls for a quick peace settlement, reiterating commitment to war aims that contradict any meaningful negotiations. The international community remains deeply involved, especially through military aid and humanitarian support for Ukraine, while Russia consolidates occupied territories and sustains its offensive operations.
The ongoing Russia-Ukraine war has been ongoing for three years. The issue of women in male professions is particularly relevant in Ukraine due to the war. Landmines pose a significant security risk in many areas of Ukraine, especially in southern Ukraine. JERU and its partners have provided psychosocial support classes to children in remote villages, but schools where similar classes were held have been destroyed by bombs. Up to 25 humanitarian workers have been killed and 58 injured in Ukraine during the three years of full-scale war.
Despite being considered one of the most protected cities in Ukraine, Kyiv experiences nightly drone attacks. In Kharkiv, psychosocial support classes have been moved to a school in the subway to prioritize security. Children and young people in Ukraine have had their happy childhoods and carefree youth stolen by the war. Tetiana Zaskoka, a colleague from Sumy, has become accustomed to living in the moment due to the war. A vehicle belonging to charity partners "Angels of Salvation" was hit by an FPV drone, but no one was injured as the vehicle was armored.
JERU has provided support to families like Lesia's, who were displaced by the war and have stopped talking about returning home. The vast majority of participants in livelihood projects say they primarily receive hope, not money, from the assistance provided. Despite the ongoing challenges, the people of Ukraine continue to persevere, seeking to rebuild their lives and their nation amidst the ongoing conflict.
- Despite the intensifying war, mental-health support is crucial for children in Ukraine. JERU and its partners have provided psychosocial support classes to help them cope with their war-affected realities, as schools where similar classes were held have been destroyed by bombs.
- The ongoing Russia-Ukraine war has not only affected the military front but also greatly impacted the health-and-wellness sector. The conflict has displaced millions of people, many of whom have experienced a substantial decline in their socio-economic conditions.
- Science and politics intertwine in the context of the Russia-Ukraine war, as the international community provides military aid and humanitarian support for Ukraine while Russia continues to consolidate occupied territories. Meanwhile, issues such as the safety of landmines and the protection of critical infrastructure, like schools, remain concerns for general-news and health specialists.
