When Russian forces launched their full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, the first explosions did more than destroy buildings — they transformed lives. Tens of thousands of civilians, many of whom had never handled a weapon, quickly became soldiers.

In the years since, as the war has continued with no clear end in sight, the initial wave of patriotic enthusiasm has given way to endurance and obligation. Thousands more have been mobilized. Military service for men aged 25 to 65 is open-ended, while women can enlist through contractual service.

Across muddy trenches, drone command centres, observation posts, and rehabilitation facilities, Ukrainian soldiers reflect on who they once were — and who they have become.

Olena’s Story: A Life Divided Into Before and After

Not long ago, Olena lived in Prague, working as a nightclub administrator. Her life felt full of possibility.

“It seemed like everything was ahead of me,” she recalls. “There was time to build a future.”

But as the war continued, she felt a growing pull toward home. In December 2024, she returned to Ukraine, enlisted in the army, and trained as a pilot.

Looking at old photographs, she sees a different version of herself.

“I was calmer. More naive,” she says. “Everything changed. I changed.”

Before the war, her life revolved around ambition — building a career, earning money, proving herself. Now, her priorities are starkly simple: survival and solidarity.

“What matters most is that my comrades are alive after an attack,” she explains.

Surprisingly, she says the hardest moments are not the explosions or the immediate danger.

“Sometimes the hardest thing is the silence after hearing about losses.”

Despite the hardships, Olena finds strength in her family back home, who endure blackouts and freezing temperatures without losing hope.

As long as fighting continues, she cannot imagine returning to her old life.

“My place is here,” she says firmly, “as long as the enemy is in my house.”

Four years into the conflict, stories like Olena’s reflect a broader reality. Ordinary Ukrainians — teachers, students, business owners, artists — have become soldiers. The war has reshaped identities, priorities, and futures, leaving a lasting mark on a generation.