The article discusses how civilian casualties in Ukraine increased in 2025, along with the escalation of Russian territorial gains and destruction of Ukraine’s infrastructure, contradicting Trump's claims of a swift resolution to the conflict.
In 2025, the situation for civilians in Ukraine deteriorated significantly, with New York Times reporting an increase in casualties due to intensified Russian assaults on urban areas. The year saw more civilian deaths and injuries compared to 2024, highlighting the violent reality unfolding on the ground. Cities faced heavy bombardments as Russia expanded its territorial control, marking a continual loss for Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict.
Moreover, the report emphasizes the critical infrastructural damage inflicted on Ukraine, particularly pointing to the near-total destruction of the electrical grid during one of the coldest winters in the last decade. Survivors, like Oleksandras Poliščukas, shed light on the dire living conditions, grappling with widespread blackouts and heating shortages, which starkly contrasts the earlier optimism surrounding potential swift resolutions put forth by political leaders.
The article further critiques former President Trump's approach upon taking office in January 2025, noting his departure from previous U.S. strategies supporting Ukraine. By making concessions to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump distanced the United States from Ukraine, even as reports from the Kiel Institute reveal a drastic 99% reduction in U.S. financial aid to Ukraine that year. This dramatically altered the trajectory of the war and raised concerns about Ukraine's survival and sovereignty amidst aggressive Russian actions.
