Four years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine
February 24 marks four years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Sweden, through the Swedish Civil Defence and Resilience Agency, has so far provided support to Ukraine’s civil defence amounting to more than two billion SEK. In recent months, Russian attacks have been particularly directed at infrastructure and the energy sector. This brings new challenges and new needs for Ukraine’s civil defence.
For four years, the Ukrainian population has continued its resistance against the full-scale Russian invasion. The Swedish Civil Defence and Resilience Agency provides Ukraine with long-term and sustainable support, which is especially critical given the highly uncertain and strained situation. Russia’s unjust war poses a serious threat not only to Ukraine, but also to the security in Europe.
By supporting Ukraine, we reduce Russia’s ability to attack Sweden and other European countries.
“What we have seen are four years of brutal warfare. Civilians and civilian infrastructure are direct targets in Russia’s conduct of war in Ukraine, and we see people, cities, and hospitals being attacked with the aim of breaking the Ukrainians’ resilience and will to defend themselves. Despite this, Ukrainians continue to fight for the right to their own future,” says Mikael Frisell, Director General of the Swedish Civil Defence and Resilience Agency.
Cold weather and Russian attacks strain Ukraine’s energy sector
Recently, Russian attacks have been particularly directed at infrastructure and the energy sector. Combined with the cold weather, this creates new challenges and needs for Ukraine’s civil defence. Because of this, The Swedish Civil Defence and Resilience Agency has focused on facilitating new donations related to the energy sector.
“It is important that we remain flexible in our support to Ukraine and can adapt when new needs arise. Right now, there is a particular need for support within the energy sector, and it is encouraging to see that we can quickly adapt our operations to meet these needs,” says Mikael Frisell.
In total, the Swedish Civil Defence and Resilience Agency, Swedish companies, and organizations, through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, are planning to deliver energy solutions in 2026 with a combined installed generator capacity of 22,051 kW, in addition to 220 kWp of solar capacity. This corresponds to electricity supply for approximately 10,000 households.
Support worth more than two billion SEK
Since 2022, the Swedish Civil Defence and Resilience Agency has supported Ukraine with mine action, air medical evacuation, and equipment to secure the country’s electricity supply, among other things. The agency continues to provide long-term and sustainable support focused on reconstruction, resilience, and capacity development efforts, while the need for humanitarian assistance remains substantial. The estimated value of the civil support delivered by the agency, in cooperation with other organizations, now exceeds two billion SEK.
To date, the agency has supported Ukraine with:
- 435 completed or ongoing missions
- 197 donating actors
- 3,000 emergency shelters
- 1,530 trucks with equipment
- 1,680 tonnes of donated material
- 281 deployed experts
- 266 evacuated patients
- 130 trained medical instructors (who in turn have trained around 100,000 medical personnel in Ukraine)
“We are prepared to respond to events at short notice, but also to contribute long-term in Ukraine within our areas of expertise. The current situation in Ukraine is highly uncertain, but Sweden’s commitment is long term, and our intention is to support Ukraine’s civil defence for as long as the war continues. We are also ready to assist in the country’s reconstruction once the war is over. The agency will be present in Ukraine for a long time to come,” says Mikael Frisell.
Visit to Ukraine last week
Frisell has visited Ukraine several times. As recently as last week, he was in the country. He visited Odessa to inspect some of the boats that the agency has procured and donated to SESU (Ukraine’s equivalent to the Swedish Civil Defence Agency) to support their ability to clear mines that have drifted into waterways. Together with the delegation, he also visited several other locations during the trip, including a military facility where the Swedish Civil Defence Agency is leading the renovation of a rehabilitation centre for active soldiers.
“The rehabilitation work shows that no one who has served their country should stand alone in their recovery. Every visit to Ukraine evokes strong emotions. I am full of admiration for the Ukrainians’ resilience and will to defend themselves — we have much to learn from them. I am also very proud of the work contributed by the Swedish Civil Defence and Resilience Agency,” says Mikael Frisell.