Mobilization, Zaluzhny, F-16, Kursk operation: key events shaping Ukraine in 2024.
This year has become another significant year for Ukraine in its struggle for independence and sovereignty. Throughout 2024, events on the frontlines and in the rear quickly alternated, presenting new challenges and opportunities for the country. From key operations of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to new stages of diplomatic efforts and international support — this year has been marked by both important victories and heavy losses. All these events not only shape the course of the war but also define the future of Ukraine in both military and political contexts. From prisoner exchanges to cutting-edge weapon technologies, from strikes on strategic facilities to international diplomatic initiatives — every day of 2024 has brought new twists in a conflict that affects security and stability not only in Ukraine but globally.
Return of Ukrainian Heroes Home
The largest prisoner exchange since the beginning of the war took place on January 3, 2024. During the operation, 230 Ukrainians returned home, including 224 military personnel and 6 civilians.
The released military personnel represent various units: 130 soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, 55 National Guards, 38 border guards, and 1 police officer. Among them are defenders of Mariupol, Snake Island, and the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. Additionally, 48 individuals previously considered missing were freed.
This exchange resulted from complex negotiations and diplomatic efforts, including the involvement of the United Arab Emirates, which acted as intermediaries in the process of releasing Ukrainians.
The return of these Ukrainians has become an important symbol of hope for their families and a reminder of the need to continue diplomatic efforts to free all captives.
Throughout 2024, there were ten more exchanges: on January 31, 207 Ukrainians returned, on February 8 — 100, on May 31 — 75, on June 25 — 90, on June 28 — 10, on July 17 — 95, on August 24 — 115, on September 13 — 49, on September 14 — 103, and on October 19 — 95 of our people.
3 Attacks on Russian Oil Refineries
Since the end of January 2024, Ukraine has begun a series of successful operations against Russian oil refineries and oil facilities. Utilizing drones, the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine (GUR MO) has been conducting precise strikes on strategic sites within Russia.
In January, attacks were carried out on oil depots in the Bryansk, Kursk, and Belgorod regions, specifically targeting "Orelnefteprodukt" in Orel and the "St. Petersburg Oil Terminal." In any case — a strike on the oil depot "Polevaya" in the Kursk region. A month later — an attack on the "First Plant" refinery in the Kaluga region and other oil facilities in the Rostov and Kursk regions. In April, a strike against "Lukoil" in the Smolensk region and oil depots in Nizhnekamsk and Yelabuga occurred, while in May explosions rocked refineries in Tuapse, Volgograd, and Ryazan regions. At the beginning of summer, Ukrainian drones targeted an oil depot in the Belgorod region. After that, refineries in the Ryazan and Volgograd regions were hit.
The attacks are still ongoing. Recently, explosions were reported in Orel — Ukrainian drones again attacked the local oil depot. Additionally, earlier on the night of November 29, drones struck an oil depot in the Kamensky district of the Rostov region of the Russian Federation, causing a significant fire on its premises. Furthermore, on November 13, Ukrainian drones hit an oil depot in Penza. And on the night of November 12, they struck a Russian fuel and lubricants warehouse in the Belgorod region.
These operations aim to weaken the Russian oil infrastructure, a crucial component of Russia's economic and military power. Attacks on oil refining facilities hold strategic significance and demonstrate the high level of effectiveness of Ukrainian forces.
Resignation of Zaluzhny
On February 8, 2024, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed an order dismissing Valerii Zaluzhny from the position of Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Zaluzhny had led the Armed Forces since July 2021 and became a symbol of Ukrainian resistance during the war with Russia.
Zelensky explained his decision as a necessity for a "reset" of the leadership of the Armed Forces, emphasizing that this does not mean a change in strategic approaches or directions of action. Appointing new individuals to key posts was part of a plan to improve military structures and adapt to the new challenges of the war.
In place of Zaluzhny, General-Colonel Oleksandr Syrskyi was appointed as the Commander-in-Chief, who previously headed the Ukrainian Ground Forces. Zelensky also awarded Zaluzhny the title of Hero of Ukraine for his outstanding contributions to the military sphere.
Zaluzhny, in turn, continues his career in the diplomatic arena: in March 2024, he was appointed Ukraine's ambassador to the United Kingdom.
This dismissal marked a significant moment for Ukraine and its military, causing considerable resonance both within Ukraine and beyond its borders.
4 Withdrawal of the Armed Forces from Avdiivka
On February 17, Ukrainian troops completed the withdrawal of their units from the city of Avdiivka in the Donetsk region, which had become the epicenter of fierce battles for several months.
The battle for Avdiivka has been ongoing since 2014, when the city became part of the fighting in eastern Ukraine following the onset of the war in Donbas. However, the most intense and large-scale fighting began in mid-2022, after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Since the beginning of 2022, the fighting for Avdiivka has been part of a broader struggle for control over Donbas. The city was strategically important due to its location, which allowed control over vital roads and monitoring enemy activity. Russian troops and separatists actively attempted to seize Avdiivka, leading to constant and brutal clashes.
Notably, since the fall of 2022, fighting intensified as Russian forces attempted to storm the city. Throughout 2023, Avdiivka remained one of the most shelled and devastated points on the front.
The withdrawal of the Armed Forces at the beginning of 2024 was carried out to avoid encirclement and preserve the combat capability of the units. This strategic decision was made based on an analysis of the situation, where further presence in the city could lead to significant losses among the personnel of the Armed Forces.
According to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi, the withdrawal was part of a plan to transition to defense at more advantageous lines. Leaving Avdiivka helped save the lives of Ukrainian soldiers and ensure better conditions for subsequent defensive operations.
It is noted that over five months, from October 2023 to February 2024, Russian troops attempted to storm Avdiivka several times, employing heavy equipment, artillery, and aviation. Specifically, during this period, more than 364 Russian tanks and 748 armored personnel carriers were destroyed, along with over 250 artillery systems. As a result of Ukraine's counteroffensive actions, 95 Russian soldiers were captured.
Meanwhile, the Russian army suffered significant losses. In the course of the assaults, more than 47,000 enemy personnel were eliminated, along with several aircraft. Ukrainian forces continued to resist, maintaining territories in eastern Donbas, but ultimately the decision was made to withdraw from Avdiivka to avoid mass casualties.
Despite the withdrawal from the city, Ukrainian troops continue to hold the defense at other lines in Donbas and prepare for further combat actions.
5 1100 Missiles Against Ukraine's Energy System
In spring 2024, Russia launched a series of large-scale attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, utilizing various types of missiles and drones. In total, around 1100 missiles were fired during this period, including cruise and ballistic missiles, resulting in significant damage to the energy system and disruptions in electricity supply across the country.
The first blackouts of this year began on March 22. On that day, Russia conducted a massive combined missile-airstrike against Ukraine, deploying 151 aerial targets, of which 92 were destroyed by Ukraine's air defense forces. Targets included Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Kryvyi Rih, Khmelnytskyi, Poltava region, Vinnytsia region, Lviv region, Ivano-Frankivsk region, Mykolaiv region, Odesa region, and other parts of the country.
As a result of the attack, the DniproHES was damaged: the second power unit was destroyed,