Culture | The war score

How Ukraine’s fortunes have ebbed

Two new books chronicle Ukrainians’ miraculous early resistance. Today’s reality is more sombre

Two people sit opposite the Wall of Remembrance to pay tribute to killed Ukrainian servicemen and women during a commemorative ceremony.
Photograph: Reuters

WHAT HAS gone wrong? Two years ago, as Russian tanks crossed the border, Ukrainian men and women flew back to defend their homeland. Now the country is struggling to recruit enough troops. America used to give Ukraine money and weapons. Today, despite the obvious peril, Republicans in the House of Representatives are blocking the supplies it needs. On February 17th Ukrainian forces handed Russia its biggest victory in months by abandoning the eastern town of Avdiivka, where Russia was able to fire ten shells for every Ukrainian round.

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This article appeared in the Culture section of the print edition under the headline “The war score”

From the February 24th 2024 edition

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