Thread by @TWMCLtd

Hello and welcome along again to another daily thread covering #Russia's war on #Ukraine.

Sunday is Day 452 since the full invasion began.
All the news coming up throughout the day and if you want to support me please click here:

ko-fi.com/twmcltd

Yesterday proved quite a busy news day and expanded to bring news of mass protests in both Serbia and Georgia.

Zelenskyy in Japan, Lavrov's family fleeing, the UN negotiating with war criminals, and bad news from Bakhmut. It's all here⬇️

This morning @ZelenskyyUa seemed to confirm that #Russia is in full control of #Bakhmut, saying "it's a pity, it's a tragedy, but for today Bakhmut is only in our hearts."

But later the #Ukraine President's Office later "clarified" they were still holding a position in the town.

#Putin's reponse came in a statement on the #Kremlin's website for "liberating" #Artemovsk (Soviet name for #Bakhmut)
Interestingly he congratulated #Wagner troops before the regular army.

It took almost a year for the "2nd army" to take the town of 75,000 people.

#Zelenskyy's comments came during a press conference after meeting with @POTUS

Joe Biden confirmed the news I wrote yesterday of a huge new tranche of military help from #USA for #Ukraine

F-16s will take a while, but this will help defend against the invaders
#StandWithUkraine

Many thousands have died on both sides in and around #Bakhmut since those first bombs exactly a year ago.

One of the latest fallen #Ukraine heroes was Dmytro Kravets, a Ukrainian writer and director of the Kharkiv children's theater "Kazka"

#VichnaPamyat

#Russia's losses* in the last 24 hours though are huge.

730 invaders killed - so likely another 1500-2000 permanently injured. And look at the number of artillery systems taken out - FOUR times above average.

* #Ukraine estimates

The daily update from Britain's military intelligence explains #Russia's switch in tactics for the recent regular attacks on #Ukraine.

As I've said here before the recon drones followed by attempts to take out Ukrainian air defences.

#RussiansGoHome

Controversy in Las Vegas early this morning where legendary #Ukraine boxer Vasiliy Lomachenko lost a unanimous points decision to undisputed lightweight champion Devin Haney.

Even the US crowd booed relentlessly at the decision going against Loma who fought in the war last year.

British #StormShadow missiles may have been used again on #Russia's occupiers.

Huge explosions reported in #Berdyansk in the south east of #Ukraine.

Of course The Kremlin pretends it shot down "6 out of 7 Storm Shadows and US made AGM-160 MALD decoy missiles.”

#RussiaOnFire

Those fires in #Sverdlovsk region of #Russia are still causing problems.

Here a big pile-up as visibility was reduced to near zero in places.

#Georgia's national airline says it will not allow the country's President to step on board any flights.

It comes after pro-western Salome Zurabishvili criticised the airline, and the government, for allowing flights to/from #Russia, which still occupies two parts of Georgia.

I don't know what #Russia's Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education had done wrong, but the seeminly fit and healthy 46 year old has keeled over on a flight.

Pyotr Kucherenko, returning from a business trip to Cuba, died despite an emergency landing for treatment.

#Ukraine's confirmed the news that their forces have "partly encircled" #Bakhmut.

This is not breaking news as some media are reporting. It's more of a status quo from yesterday, pointing out the advantageous positions they now have on the flanks.

#SlavaUkraini

It's one of the most moving sights when you witness it in real life.

The way #Ukraine reacts to the return of its fallen heroes is always the same. It's another startling difference in the culture between Russians and Ukrainians.

The exiled Mayor of #Melitopol has raised good points on #Ukraine TV to show how rampant corruption is among #Russia and its occupiers.

Ivan Fedorov points out the candidates list for 'elections' includes pseudo governor Balytsky and also his son and niece and her husband too💩

Time to say "vielen dank" to my supporters for supplying me with virtual coffee this morning.

Thanks @bk13051 and here @FilipFrohlich1 for your kind words and deeds💙💛

ko-fi.com/home/coffeesho…

"100,000 casualties in #Bakhmut" *

The President of the USA outlines the huge cost for #Russia is its year long attempt to capture a small town in #Donetsk (they first entered the place they call #Artemovsk almost 11 months ago)

(Casualties = dead and injured)

#Ukraine still giving positive signs in #Bakhmut despite the Russian celebrations over the capture of the ruins.

🇺🇦's 3rd separate assault brigade claims another 700m of territory is reclaimed along an almost 2km width.

Claims cannot be verified.

Anger among Ukrainians and many Spaniards too after a couple of #Barcelona players recorded a special message thanking fans in #Russia for their support.

Defender Alex Balde + midfielder Sergi Roberto made the recording - not known whether it was sanctioned by the club or not.

Tolstoy is on the move again.

This time #Odesa council has voted to remove this statue of the Russian writer from the Ploshcha L'va Tolstoho (Leo Tolstoy Sq)

It will be kept in the city museum.

Journalists in #Germany make new allegations linking #Ukraine to the Nord Stream pipeline explosions.

But they admit it may just be another false flag operation.

tagesschau.de/investigativ/n…

A little earlier another explosion and fire behind enemy lines in the occupied part of #Ukraine.

This is #Mospyne, south-east of #Donetsk.
It's thought a Russian base/store has been hit.

#RussiansGoHome #StandWithUkraine

#Russia is arresting as many men as possible in Occupied #Zapotizhzhia in an attempt to make them fight against #Ukraine in the war.

That's the warning of the Centre for National Resistance, but not evidence is provided.

sprotyv.mod.gov.ua/en/residents-o…

Yet more reports coming in of #Ukraine advancing on the flanks of #Bakhmut.

Again this is unverified and it's possible an info war to raise morale, but Ukraine's army is saying after heavy fighting they've managed to move forward an additional 200-500 metres.

#SlavaUkraini

Two people are dead and 6 injured as #Russia launched aerial bombs on #Donetsk territory defended by #Ukraine.

#Heorhiivka near #Mariinka was among the worst hit.

#Avdiivka #ChasivYar and #Toretsk were also hit by heavy artillery.

#StopRussia #RussiaIsATerroristState

#FriendlyFire

It's reported one of #Russia's air bombs "accidentally" fell off a plane, hitting a house in occupied Yenakieve.

Remarkably no civilians appear to have been hurt.

#RussiaIsATerroristState

Another base of #Russia's occupiers has been hit according to #Ukraine officials.

This is near #Oleshky on the left bank of the Dnipro in occupied #Kherson region. Southern Command says it's an ammo dump.

#RussiansGoHome