OPINION: Ukraine’s 10 Biggest Successes of the War

 1) The Defense of Kyiv

Ukraine stopped Russia’s elite forces at the gates of its capital. The defense of Hostomel Airport was crucial. This shattered Putin’s plan for a quick victory — and proved Ukraine would not fall.

 2) The 2022 Counteroffensives

Ukraine liberated thousands of km² in Kharkiv and Kherson. These operations stunned Russia, reclaimed key cities, and proved Ukraine could take back occupied land — fast and decisively.

 3) Success in the Black Sea

Despite having almost no navy, Ukraine pushed Russia’s fleet back, secured grain exports, and kept key ports open — a strategic and economic win few thought possible. We recall the sinking of the Moskva.

 4) Operation Spiderweb

Ukraine created a deadly trap for Russian strategic bombers. Precision, coordination, and innovation turned the battlefield into a web Russia’s bombers couldn’t escape.

 5) The first days of the Kursk operation

Ukraine’s cross-border operations in Kursk showed it could take the fight to Russian soil. The first days of the offensive were bold and effective — a psychological and tactical success, even if the rest of the operation was less successful.

 6) National Unity Strengthened

Ukraine didn’t fracture — it united. Ukrainians rallied behind the flag. This unity has been one of Ukraine’s greatest strengths, politically and militarily.

Other Topics of Interest

Lavrov: ‘Peace in Ukraine Depends on the Battlefield, Not Negotiations’

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says he currently sees no prospect for negotiations with Ukraine, arguing that Western military support and long-range weapons deliveries leave “no talk of any negotiations,” claiming President Volodymyr Zelensky’s open letter to meet with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin shows Kyiv does not want dialogue, and saying that a genuine proposal would have been sent through closed channels.

 7) The Kerch Bridge Strike

Blowing up part of Putin’s prized bridge was a symbolic masterstroke. It hit logistics, morale, and propaganda — and showed Ukraine could strike deep into occupied territory.

 8) Air Defense Success

Ukraine’s air force has survived and operated throughout the war — a feat few expected. Combined with ground-based systems, it has shot down thousands of drones and missiles.

 9) Defense Industry Innovation

Ukraine’s drone warfare, battlefield tech, and rapid adaptation have stunned the world. From DIY drones to advanced targeting systems, Ukraine is rewriting modern warfare.

 10) Integration of Western Systems

Ukraine quickly adapted to Western systems and integrated them. It’s not just about receiving weapons — it’s how effectively Ukraine uses them.

Ukraine’s success isn’t just military — it’s strategic, symbolic, and psychological. Against a larger enemy, it has held firm, struck back, and inspired the world. The war isn’t over — but Ukraine has already won because Russia won’t reach its strategic objectives. Moreover, Ukraine has alerted the world to what Russia is about.

Joni Askola is a Finnish geopolitical analyst and a PhD candidate at Charles University in Prague. He also fundraises trucks and drones for Ukraine through the Estonian NGO Help99 and its 69th Sniffing Brigade.

The views expressed in this opinion article are the author’s and not necessarily those of Kyiv Post.