The Day That Changed Everything: Ukrainians’ Memories of the First 24 Hours of the Full-Scale War

On the morning of February 24, 2022, peaceful towns and villages across Ukraine awoke to air raid sirens and explosions. Ukraine stood its ground. Its people stood their ground. We have now lived through 1,000 days of full-scale war. But the day when russia launched its major assault on our land is etched in the memory of everyone, for it divided the lives of millions into "before" and "after."

The collection of stories about the first day of the full-scale invasion, presented by the Museum of Civilian Voices by the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation is a compilation of honest and heart-wrenching testimonies from civilians who, on that fateful February day, found themselves waking up to war. Their accounts are filled with shock and fear, but also an unwavering spirit that united Ukrainians in their fight for freedom and dignity. We invite you to discover these stories.