By Russell Perrin

FOUR years ago, in February 2022, when Vladimir Putin launched his full-scale invasion of Ukraine, few predicted that four years on Ukraine would still be resisting so resolutely. Despite a vast assault from the north and east, relentless bombardment of cities and infrastructure, and the mobilisation of nearly the entire Russian army, Russia has seized no more than around 20% of Ukrainian territory. The war has become a grinding conflict of attrition, with thousands of soldiers killed or wounded for each bombed-out village or kilometre gained. Yet President Putin’s original aim of subjugating the whole country remains far from realised, with the situation on the ground widely described as a strategic stalemate.

The human cost has been devastating. According to the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, Russian forces have suffered nearly 1.2 million casualties since February 2022, including an estimated 300,000 killed, more losses than any major power in any war since the Second World War. The same analysis estimates that Ukrainian forces have suffered approximately 400,000 to 500,000 casualties, including tens of thousands killed. At current rates, combined Russian and Ukrainian casualties could reach 2 million by the spring of 2026. Despite seizing the initiative in 2024, Russian advances have averaged just 15 to 70 metres per day in their main offensives, slower than almost any major offensive campaign in the last century. Behind every statistic are lives lost, families shattered and futures destroyed in a senseless war, all to satisfy the murderous lust and ego of one man.

Here in Harlow, we often talk about our tremendous social capital. Four years ago, when I was leading Harlow Council, I saw the might of that capital put into action. Within days of the invasion, we established a donation centre at the Harlow Civic Centre. The public response was extraordinary, with residents stepping forward in huge numbers to donate vital supplies and show solidarity with the people of Ukraine. 

I want to place on record my sincere thanks to the hard-working Janet Jackson and the Democratic Services team, Jane Greer, then Head of Community, and Elena Hardware, wife of Cllr Mike Hardware, for helping to set up the Donation hub that collected and delivered vital supplies to the people of Ukraine. I am also grateful for the public support of Cllr Clive Souter, then the Chair of the Council and my Cabinet team of the time for helping me to raise the profile of the Donation hub. Above all, I want to thank the thousands of members of the public who donated medical supplies, baby products, clothing and a vast array of items, including food, to support the people of Ukraine at their time of greatest need.

There are still many ways people can continue to support Ukraine, including donating through the Disasters Emergency Committee Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal and the British Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Appeal.

With the massive losses and only tiny territorial gains Russia has made, and with President Putin’s power and influence increasingly questioned on the world stage, we must continue to stand firm in our support for Ukraine. As we mark this sombre anniversary, I sincerely hope we do not see a fifth anniversary of this war.

Cllr Russell Perrin