Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday that despite all the hardships suffered by Ukrainians during the past 12 months of war, 2023 will be the year of the country's victory over Russia.

“On February 24, millions of us made a choice. Not a white flag, but the blue and yellow one. Not fleeing, but facing. Resisting & fighting,” Zelensky said in a tweet marking the first anniversary of Russia's invasion. “It was a year of pain, sorrow, faith, and unity. And this year, we remained invincible. We know that 2023 will be the year of our victory.”

Ukrainian authorities are bolstering security measures across the country on Friday as they brace for potential Russian attacks to mark the anniversary.