British journalist Peter Dickinson tells of his year-long suffering in Ukraine

Over the past year, I have been thrust into a series of entirely unwelcome roles including refugee, military strategist, Kremlin psychoanalyst, generator operator, and war correspondent.

This experience is nothing compared to the catastrophe that has befallen millions of Ukrainians, of course. Nevertheless, it has without doubt been the worst year of my life. Far too much time has been spent pondering what new madness may come out of Moscow and debating the likelihood of nuclear apocalypse. Cruise missiles and kamikaze drones have become routine nuisances.

Barely a day has gone by without revelations of yet more ghoulish Russian war crimes. The sheer horror of it all has sometimes been overwhelming.

And yet there is so much to be thankful for. My family are safe and as well as can be. Ordinary people around the world have rallied in support of Ukraine and renewed my faith in the inherent goodness of humanity.

I have reconnected with dozens of old friends and relatives who have reached out in goodwill. I have been deeply moved by the kindness of strangers and the selflessness that has seen an army of volunteers flood Ukraine and millions of Ukrainians welcomed in neighbouring countries.

Most of all, I am grateful to have witnessed Ukraine’s moment of truth. I have observed raw heroism and courage on a scale that defies belief. I have marvelled at Ukraine’s indestructible sense of humour and human decency in even the darkest of hours.

I have cheered the tank-stealing tractors and the sinking of the Moskva and the Kharkiv counter-offensive. After a lifetime as an over-excited football fan, I have watched the liberation of Kherson and learned what true euphoria is. I have seen a young nation rise up against an evil empire and win, again and again.

I do not expect the coming year to be any better, but at least it will no longer be such a nasty surprise. After 2022, nobody connected with Ukraine will ever be the same again. Even so, I can honestly say I have never been more convinced of Ukraine’s bright future.

No other country has ever succeeded in capturing the world’s imagination quite like Ukraine over the past twelve months. This indomitable spirit is the reason I remain so sure Putin will fail.

My only wish this year is for a Ukrainian victory, for without victory, there can be no peace. Slava Ukraini! /The Geopost/