After Four Years of Full-Scale Invasion, Ukraine’s Strength Is Still Its People

Good morning to all of you from Kyiv, Ukraine.

Entering today the fifth year since the full-scale invasion, and the thirteenth year since its onset, the war in Ukraine continues to inflict immeasurable human suffering, putting millions at risk and generating grave humanitarian needs, while compounding the challenges and costs of recovery.

Allow me to mention that yesterday, together with the Government, the World Bank and the European Union, we launched the fifth Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment report.

It is now estimated that the cost of recovery is a staggering $590 billion over a ten-year horizon, which amounts to three times Ukraine’s GDP last year.

I underlined at the launch yesterday that Ukraine’s most critical asset is its people. What an RDNA can never fully capture is the destroyed portions of the lives of human beings – their souls and mental well-being.

People are central to recovery. Refugee return, veteran reintegration and women’s labour force participation will shape the economic and broader recovery as much as capital flows and infrastructure rebuilding.

Recovery must be human-centred and community-based.

Now back to the humanitarian situation.

We estimate that over 10.8 million people – roughly a quarter of Ukraine’s population –remain in need of humanitarian assistance.

This includes up to one million people in territories occupied by the Russian Federation.

Let me also acknowledge that our human rights colleagues have pointed out that 2025 was the deadliest year for civilians since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022.

At least 2,500 civilians were killed and over 12,000 injured last year, more than a 30 per cent increase compared with 2024.

You have also heard me speak about Ukraine being among the most mined countries in the world, with almost one quarter of its territory – an area four times the size of Switzerland – potentially contaminated.

Let me also highlight that we are currently witnessing the devastating impact of systematic attacks on energy infrastructure, which have disrupted electricity, heating and water supplies across the country, in some cases leaving entire towns without electricity and water for weeks.

In Kyiv, I am told that there are more than 3,000 high-rise buildings that are now out of order, not inhabitable for the rest of the winter, putting the most vulnerable – older people, people with limited mobility and health conditions, as well as families with children – at serious risk.

This kind of weaponization of energy must stop.

Back to the people I mentioned.

The war has left deep, invisible scars and put millions at heightened risk of violations and abuses, including conflict-related sexual violence and gender-based violence, in addition to the constant threat of bombardment and mine contamination.

Coming towards the end of my remarks, with the generous support of the international community, we have been able to respond to humanitarian needs at scale.

Last year, we reached some five million people, prioritizing support to those most in need.

By the end of December, our winter response activities reached around 1.5 million people, mainly along the front lines.

However, this did not fully cover the emergency caused by energy disruptions, particularly in cities.

As this year evolves, we are having to adapt to this new dimension of crisis — a crisis within a crisis.

Allow me to end with a brief story.

I met a couple recently in the Kharkiv Region, near the front line. They survived occupation and are caring for their son, who lives with a serious disability.

They told me they appreciated the humanitarian support they received, including seeds to plant recently.

However, they were not sure whether to plant them, given the relentless attacks by the armed forces of the Russian Federation and the uncertainties they face.

Their lives have been severely disrupted, but they are not giving up.

We owe it to countless civilians like them, who are not giving up.

We must not give up either and must continue our practical solidarity through humanitarian and recovery support.

Back to you in Geneva.