The War in Ukraine Has Now Gone On Longer Than World War I
The New York Times • • world
Key Points:
- The war in Ukraine has surpassed the duration of World War I, lasting 1,569 days or over four years and three months, making it longer than the historic conflict.
- Initially, Russian President Vladimir Putin expected a swift victory in Ukraine, but the war evolved into a prolonged conflict marked by heavy casualties and a war of attrition.
- Many combatants and observers underestimated the war's length, with some Ukrainians now anticipating it could last into next year, potentially nearing the six-year span of World War II.
- The conflict's roots are often traced back to 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea, suggesting the war's duration might be even longer depending on perspective.
- With peace negotiations stalled, there is little indication that the war will end soon, and public sentiment in Ukraine reflects uncertainty about a near-term resolution.