24 February 2026, marks four years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. That is almost one and a half thousand days of fear, uncertainty, and instability. During this time, millions of Ukrainians have had to adapt to attacks and extreme conditions, and for many, even leave their homes. Kristin Västra, private donations specialist at the Estonian Refugee Council, spoke with young Ukrainian musician Bodhana on a train to Kharkiv at the end of January about what the war means for Ukrainians and how they are coping.

Last year, a total of 60 people with a refugee background in Estonia took part in group meetings based on the MindSpring method, organised by the Estonian Refugee Council. The meetings, attended by both young people and adults, provided participants with the confidence needed to cope better in a new country.

In Estonia, we are collecting donations to purchase generators, fuel, and other essential items for crisis and evacuation centres, so that they can continue their work under extreme conditions. Part of the campaign, on 26 and 28 February, charity group winter swimming events in support of Ukraine will take place in Tallinn, at Logisaun and Lennusulpsus respectively. Further information is available on Pagulasabi’s website and Facebook page. As of the end of January, we have provided cash assistance in Ukraine to more than 317,000 people, totalling over €59 million. In Ukraine, we conducted a series of online business training sessions for nearly 280 entrepreneurs in vulnerable situations, helping those affected by the war to create sustainable sources of income. In Estonia, 190 people participated in adaptation training sessions. Courses on residence permits continued to generate the greatest interest. In Armenia, in Yerevan and Abovyan, two new groups began an 8-day programme supporting the mental wellbeing of people with a refugee background and providing practical skills for independent living.

February marks four years since the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine, and this winter has been exceptionally difficult for Ukrainians due to intensified Russian attacks and severe weather conditions. The Estonian Refugee Council is organising a winter swimming challenge in support of Ukraine to raise awareness of the extreme conditions people are facing and to collect donations to support those affected.

Amid the ongoing war and displacement, access to mental health support can be life-saving. In cooperation with the Ukrainian National Psychological Association, the Estonian Refugee Council relaunched its mental health support hotline last spring, offering psychological assistance to Ukrainians in Ukraine and across 20 other European countries. One of the hotline’s consultants, Olena Bohdan, shares her story of supporting others while navigating the personal hardships of war herself.

In the midst of ongoing war and mass displacement, access to mental health support can be a lifeline. Last spring, in collaboration with the Ukrainian National Psychological Association, the Estonian Refugee Council relaunched its mental health support hotline, providing psychological assistance to Ukrainians both in Ukraine and across 20 other European countries. Olha, one of the helpline’s consultants, opens up about her work helping others while confronting the personal challenges brought on by the war.

Russian forces are systematically targeting energy infrastructure across the country, president Zelensky has declared a state of emergency in the energy sector. Electricity supply is unreliable, with frequent power outages, leaving many homes barely warmer than the winter streets outside. Temperatures remain bitterly cold, dropping as low as -20°C in some areas.

With the support of donors in Estonia, we raised €30,000 to provide winter heating assistance to families living near the front lines in Ukraine. On 6 December, the Estonian Refugee Council celebrated 25 years of supporting people who have lost their homes and sense of security. Over this time, we have supported more than 470,000 people affected by crises.  In Estonia, more than 300 people participated in adaptation training, and over 330 people took part in community activities in December. In Ukraine, we supported more than 170 families in Dnipropetrovska and Zaporizhzhia oblasts with cash-based livestock livelihoods support.  Since October, nearly 4,290 families in frontline and hard-to-reach areas of Eastern and Southern Ukraine – including Donetsk, Kharkiv, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts – have received winter heating assistance. In Georgia, we provided winter livelihoods support to 515 people who fled Ukraine, helping them cover their basic needs during the colder months.  In Syria, we distributed cash-based humanitarian assistance to 65 people in the Latakia region to help alleviate the consequences of the summer wildfires. 

Thanks to the environmental education programme by the Estonian Refugee Council, students at three schools in the Tavush region of Armenia can now learn sustainable agricultural methods and contribute to environmental protection through their daily practices. Hydroponic greenhouses and composting facilities have been established at the schools, and the environmental education of the students is actively supported.

Young Ukrainians who have fled the war to Estonia want to speak Estonian, but their language learning is often hindered by a lack of practice and fear of making mistakes. To support young people’s language learning, the Estonian Refugee Council has organised more than 60 meetings based on the invisible language learning methodology for young people with a refugee background over the course of the autumn.