DAY 1097 RUSSIAN AGGRESSION
February 24 marks three years since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation (2022).
Today in Ukraine is the National Day of Prayer, World Information Architecture Day, and International Bartenders Day.
National holiday of the Republic of Estonia: Independence Day (1918)
Orthodox Church - the first and second finding of the head of John the Baptist.
Beginning of the Full-Scale Invasion of Russia into Ukraine
The Russian invasion of Ukraine is a military attack by the Russian Federation (RF) on Ukraine that began on Thursday at 3:40 AM on February 24, 2022.
This marks the third phase of the Russo-Ukrainian War, which Russia initiated in 2014, a conflict that the RF attempted to deny. The UN General Assembly condemned Russia's actions as aggression against Ukraine in its resolution on March 2, 2022. The International Court of Justice in The Hague ordered Russia on March 16, 2022, to cease the military actions it started on February 24, 2022, in Ukraine.
The war commenced after a prolonged buildup of Russian troops along the borders of Ukraine with Russia and Belarus since November 2021, and the recognition by Russian authorities on February 21, 2022, of the terrorist organizations in Ukraine - the so-called "DNR" and "LNR" - as state entities. Various media, as well as Western and Ukrainian politicians, repeatedly interpreted the accumulation of Russian troops at Ukraine's borders since November 2021 as preparation for war against Ukraine. Russian officials consistently denied any intention to attack Ukraine in their statements. Almost simultaneously, the RF Armed Forces began the overt transfer of additional troops to the occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
At around four o'clock Kyiv time on February 24, 2022, the President of the Russian Federation, V. Putin, announced a "special military operation" aimed allegedly at the "demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine." Just minutes later, missile strikes began across Ukraine, particularly near Kyiv. Russian troops invaded Ukraine near Kharkiv, Kherson, Chernihiv, and Sumy, entering from Russia, Belarus, and the temporarily occupied Crimea. Alongside Russia, Belarus is effectively waging war against Ukraine: missile strikes are being launched from border regions, combat aircraft are conducting sorties to deliver missile and bomb strikes on Ukrainian territory, and troop redeployments and supply operations are underway.
Due to the resistance of the Ukrainian army and self-defense forces, the Russian army suffered significant losses in personnel and equipment in the early days of aggression. According to estimates from Ukrainian and international experts, Russia has never faced such high losses in such a short period in any of its wars in its modern history.
Western intelligence acknowledges that Russia encountered stronger resistance than it expected, leading to logistical problems for its troops, a lack of fuel, ammunition, and food, and a decline in the morale of the attackers. The rapid unification of countries around the world to assist Ukraine, along with the imposition of severe sanctions against Russia, came as an unexpected blow to the aggressor state.
Since the first day of the invasion, Russia has violated the rules of warfare and has committed military crimes on a massive scale. Additionally, Russian authorities are conducting an active information war and employing chauvinistic propaganda.
National Day of Prayer
The National Day of Prayer will be celebrated annually on February 24.
On February 12, 2025, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted Resolution No. 12412 establishing the National Day of Prayer, which will be observed each year on February 24 - the anniversary of the beginning of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation into Ukraine. The corresponding decision was supported by 255 members of parliament.
The resolution stipulates that the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine will hold a session on the National Day of Prayer, commencing with the performance of the spiritual anthem of Ukraine "God is Great, One."
The establishment of the National Day of Prayer aims to preserve spiritual heritage, strengthen patriotic spirit, and consolidate Ukrainian society in a collective prayer for victory and the restoration of Ukraine's territorial integrity. Joint prayer symbolizes the spiritual unity of the people and unwavering faith in victory. In times of trials and the struggle for independence, such a day will provide moral support to both military and civilian populations, emphasizing the importance of spiritual values and national unity.
World Information Architecture Day
World Information Architecture Day has been celebrated on February 24 since 2012. Supported by the Institute of Information Architecture and the founder of the Day, Richard Saul Wurman, this event is celebrated annually by professionals in the field.
Information architecture is closely related to IT. This term refers to the graphical structure of data based on information technology.
Estonia's Independence Day
Every year on February 24, Estonia celebrates Independence Day. This national holiday was established by Estonians on February 12, 1919. The date was chosen in honor of the proclamation of independence from Germany and Russia, which took place on February 24, 1918, in Tallinn (the capital of Estonia).
Birthday of the Lottery
February 24 is the official birthday of the lottery. 552 years ago, the first charitable lottery was organized in Belgium, marking the beginning of the most popular game of chance throughout history.
The term "lottery" translates from Italian as "fate," a concept that hundreds of thousands of people experience daily.
The first lottery where winnings were officially paid in cash was held in Florence. It was from Italy that this game spread worldwide.
Notable Birthdays on This Day:
175 years since the birth of Alexander Konstantinovich Kononovich (1850-1910), Ukrainian astrophysicist, astronomer, educator. The birth date is provided by the ESU, Ukrainian Astronomical Portal; according to other sources, he was born on 31.01 (12.02).1850;
160 years since the birth of Ivan Lvovich Lipa (1865-1923), Ukrainian writer, publicist, publisher, and public-political and cultural figure;
100 years since the birth of Lyubov Vasilyevna Popova (1925-1996), Ukrainian singer;
115 years since the birth of Vasily Dmitrievich Sidor (1910-1949), Ukrainian military figure, one of the leading figures of the UPA and OUN.
Also on This Day:
1918 - Estonia's independence was proclaimed;
1919 - The governments of Ukraine and Poland signed a ceasefire agreement;
1920 - The first public speech of NSDAP activists took place in Munich;
1938 - A toothbrush with nylon bristles went on sale;
1942 - The "Voice of America" radio station began broadcasting (in German);
1946 - Juan Perón won the presidential elections in Argentina;
1955 - The Baghdad Pact was signed between Iraq and Turkey in Baghdad, later joined by the UK, Iran, and Pakistan;
1961 - The official opening of Orly Airport in Paris;
1991 - Gulf War: multinational forces led by NATO began a ground offensive in Iraq and Kuwait;
1992 - Ukraine established diplomatic relations with the Republic of Bangladesh;
1999 - Latvia became a full member of the WTO;
2008 - Fidel Castro officially resigned as head of the government of Cuba;
2011 - Kyiv's "Dynamo" defeated "Beşiktaş" 4-0 at home, at the Valeriy Lobanovskyi Dynamo Stadium, advancing to the Round of 16 in the UEFA Europa League;
2022 - The start of the full-scale war (open military invasion) of the Russian Federation (with the support of Belarus) against Ukraine.
Church Holiday:
February 24 in the church calendar marks the first and second finding of the head of John the Baptist. Saint John the Forerunner, also known as John the Baptist, was an important figure in Christian history. His life was associated with ministry, prophecy, and preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ. After the beheading of Saint John, his body was buried by his disciples in the city of Sebastia. The honorable head was hidden by Herodias in a dishonorable place. This was the first finding of the saint's head.
The pious Joanna, wife of the royal steward Chuza, secretly took the holy head, placed it in a vessel, and buried it on the Mount of Olives, in one of Herod's estates. Many years later, this estate passed into the possession of the devout nobleman Innocentius, who began to build a church