Another news cycle, another barrage of bombs falling from the sky. Another year and the body count continues to climb. Four years on and war still rages in Ukraine.

The long war of attrition is taking its toll on both sides, though official figures cited by the two nations are generally believed to be unreliable compared with independent assessments. Estimates by the Center for Strategic and International Studies indicate Ukrainian troops deaths near 100,000 and Russian losses at about triple that, a figure representing the largest number of troop deaths for any major power since World War II.

At the same time, deaths among Ukrainian civilians are estimated to stand at about 15,000, more than 750 of them children. More than 10 million additional civilians are estimated to be displaced after fleeing the war at home.

Negotiations to end the conflict seemed to take a positive turn early last year when President Donald Trump took office and the dynamics of international politics shifted. When Butler native Marc Fogel was released, it was called a step toward the end of the war.

However, things have stalled for months now over the issue of Ukrainian territory that Russia demands be ceded as part of a peace agreement.

Since Russia invaded the nation on Feb. 24, 2022, it has at various times held more than 10% of Ukraine, not including disputed regions like Crimea that it gained control of before 2022. While the amount of territory held has fluctuated throughout the war, it is estimated Russian gains, including territory retaken by Ukrainian forces and then regained by Russia, have resulted in a less than 1% increase since this time last year.

In short, in terms of both territory and diplomacy, the conflict is at a standstill.

But the bombs continue to fall, and people continue to die.

While the deadlock may make peace seem as far away as ever, we still hope movement to bring the conflict to an end comes soon — for the sake of Ukraine and Russia, but also for Europe and the world.

— JP