Ukrainians honoured fallen loved ones on Friday and vowed to fight on to victory, while Russia said its forces were making battlefield gains in the east as its invasion entered a second year with no end in sight.
At a ceremony on Kyiv's St Sophia Square, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy bestowed medals on soldiers and the mother of one killed. He fought back tears at the national anthem.
"We have become one family ... Ukrainians have sheltered Ukrainians, opened their homes and hearts to those who were forced to flee the war," he said in a televised address.
"We withstand all threats, shelling, cluster bombs, cruise missiles, kamikaze drones, blackouts and cold ... And we will do everything to gain victory this year."
Zelenskiy was due to attend an online summit with U.S. President Joe Biden and other leaders of the Group of Seven wealthy democracies.
"I'll repeat today what I said one year ago as Russia invaded Ukraine," tweeted Biden. "A dictator bent on rebuilding an empire will never erase the people’s love of liberty. Brutality will never grind down the will of the free. And Ukraine will never be a victory for Russia. Never."
Washington announced a new $2 billion package of military aid for Ukraine, and a raft of additional sanctions and tariffs hitting Russia's mining and metals industries, and companies from third countries accused of supplying Moscow with restricted goods. Other G7 countries unveiled similar measures.
For Ukrainians who have spent much of the year in bomb shelters and supporting the war effort any way they can, the anniversary meant reflection.
"I buried my son who died in military service. I also buried my husband. I think it's very clear to you, I'm on my own now and it's very, very hard," said Valentyna Krysan, 75, a shop employee in Kyiv. "I wish you a nice, peaceful day, and that such a thing will never be repeated in your lives."
In Russia, where publicly criticising the war is punishable by long jail terms, the mood was muted. "I really want peace, I really want it all to end as soon as possible," said Vera, a pensioner. Igor, walking through Moscow, said Russia must win: "We're looking forward to it ending successfully. That's all we can expect. We have no other options."
