Thread by @TWMCLtd

Eight weeks ago at exactly this time, #Russia launched its first bombs on peaceful #Ukraine

The bombardment never lets up. Even as I type missiles are fired and some get through air defences.
But the ground war is where this war will be won

Day 56 - welcome to the daily thread:

Last night I reported on sounds from #Kharkiv, while now #Mykolaiv is receiving a pounding from the skies too, but anti-aircraft fire heard too.

No further details yet, guess we will have to wait until the morning, til light and the end of the curfew to survey the damage.

Speaking of curfews... what happens when officers catch someone?
Well this was captured on film in #Kyiv late in the evening.

If you're not deemed a saboteur or a threat, it's possible they'll make you do some exercises, push-ups or like here - squats!

#StandWithUkraine

One unexpected impact of the war is the amount of wildlife now roaming free - especially in the villages around #Kyiv oblast.

Presumably rails and fences were demolished, maybe farmers and owners died. Wild horses are not uncommon and here a man stumbles upon a drift of pigs

Reinforcements for #Russia still arriving for the #Donbas battle according to the British Intelligence update this morning.

#SaveUkraine #StopRussia

Wimbledon looks set to ban #Russia's tennis players from competing at this year's Grand Slam event

Previously Government officials had hinted at the possibility of not giving visas to Russian and Belarussian athletes. No tournament has yet banned players

sportico.com/leagues/tennis…

#SouthKorea has refused to supply defensive weaponry for #Ukraine. But today 20 tonnes of humanitarian aid is being sent.

Meanwhile #Norway has said it's giving 100 Mistral portable anti-aircraft missile systems to 🇺🇦. These can destroy helicopters and aircraft at low altitudes

Overnight news coming in from the Russian attacks.

3 civilians died in #Avdiivka in Donetsk region. Another 6 are injured after shelling in the town centre.

#Mykolaiv region reports one rocket attack on a clinic in Bashtanka (video⬇️), but no injuries. Air defences worked well.

#Kharkiv region saw the usual shelling.
#Izium came under intense fire and rocket attack, while in Kharkiv city itself, no injuries reported despite this scene in Yubileyny district with an apparent attack on a 24-storey residential building

Welcome to #Irpin, once prized suburb, the gateway to #Kyiv city.

Russia's peacemakers changed all that!

#StopRussia #StandWithUkraine

There have been huge queues this week outside #Russia's embassy in #Ethiopia.
@addisstandard has reported on it and this is their photo.
Russia denies they're recruiting mercenaries.
I'm sure all these men of fighting age just came to say hello, aren't you?

Now confirmed #France is sending a whole load of decent gear to #Ukraine's army.

It's believed they've already been supplying some equipment more discreetly.

thx @MuffinmanMc for the spot

https://twitter.com/TheDeadDistrict/status/1516687546918617092

#Mariupol' is still holding out.
But the #Ukraine army still holed up in the metal works issued another desperate pleas for international help this morning.

No sign of a surrender which the Russians have asked for for a 3rd successive day.

This article translates well and shows another problem sanctions bring for #Russia.
There's so little freight there's nowhere to keep empty rail carriages. It's all costing the Kremlin to dip into the reserves.

24tv.ua/ru/nikuda-ne-e…

I have to say this is lazy journalism from @SkyNews as the online team slips back into using the propaganda the Kremlin puts out.

Yes #Azov did have far right links before it was taken into the regular army in 2014, since when #Ukraine has argued it's shed those links.

This is now confirmed. @Wimbledon is banning ALL of #Russia AND #Belarus players from competing this year.

Congratulations to @Sportico for the scoop!

https://twitter.com/TWMCLtd/status/1516666069884223494

#Germany's FM has hit back at suggestions the country is letting down #Ukraine.

At a press conference in Riga, Annalena Baerbock said they've chosen not to reveal details about the weapons already sent to Ukraine.
"We have delivered anti-tank missiles, Stingers and other things"

#Montenegro has banned #Russia's state propaganda outlets Sputnik and Russia Today.

#Russia's central bank moves to block the accounts of citizens who exhibit "unusual behaviour"

Critics say anyone could be blacklisted due to multiple purchases - sanctions mean many shops are limiting sales of goods per purchase.

Opponents say seized funds would fund the war.

#Cyprus has revoked passports for four more Russians. They've not been named, but the order also covers their children.

Previously four other sanctioned Russians lost their Cypriot passports and along with dependents it totalled 21 people being persona non-grata.

#StopRussia

Presidential adviser @Podolyak_M says #Ukraine is preparing for talks with #Russia over the return of its citizens forced to go to over the border.

Earlier a minister claimed up to half a million Ukrainians were deported to Russia since the war.

President @ZelenskyyUa says he will exchange Russian Prisoners of War for safe passage of remaining fighters and civilians in #Mariupol'

It's not being revealed if that is on a one-for-one basis or not.

#StandWithUkraine

Reuters reporting Germany hopes to stop importing Russian gas by the end of this year.

#Ukraine says it agrees to the UN proposal for an Easter truce.

The Orthodox Easter is this weekend.

CCTV caught the moment a missile hit a residential block in #Kharkiv last night.

#SaveUkraine #StopRussia

Not much movement on the front lines in #Donbas today, at least so far.

#Russia's troops have moved in to some areas of the town of Popasna in #Luhansk oblast. Ukraine says despite urging all residents to leave, some civilians remain in what's described as almost constant fire.

#Russia's claims are rather different - saying it hit 12 military targets including temporary bases for #Ukraine's soldiers. The Kremlin claims 150 troops were killed.

How Russia can know that figure or even estimate anywhere near accurately tends to suggest wishful thinking.

This has now been confirmed even by the Russians.
#Derhachi is completely liberated.
It's good news of course but not strategically crucial, being north-west of #Kharkiv. Russian military still within shelling range while more important are routes south.

https://twitter.com/TWMCLtd/status/1513681308677025793

#Ukraine's defence ministry says it repelled a Russian surge into #Rubizhne.
The invaders say they have taken control, with Chechen's lunatic leader, and Putin lapdog, Kadyrov posting a video to prove their claims. However it's a sign at the edge of the town not the centre

Because there's just too much press freedom in #Russia.

Won't be that long before all social media is banned except China's model rolled out in the new USSR

themoscowtimes.com/2022/04/20/rus…

Air raid sirens over all of #Ukraine simultaneously a few minutes ago.

Already the sky is being lit up over #Kharkiv - some of this looks to be air defences taking out missiles.

#SaveUkraine #StandWithUkraine #StopRussia

Another video message from #Azov regiment in which the Deputy Commander says they won't surrender but will evacuate #Mariupol' to a third country.

Svyatoslav Palamar says they must also be allowed to carry small arms and be able to bring back the bodies of fallen colleagues

#Mykolaiv has come under severe attack tonight.

Almost incessant barrage of rockets in the sky it seemed at various points in the city.
During martial law no photos/videos can identify exact location until the government approves.

#Nikolaev #StopRussia #SaveUkraine

Media have now been allowed to show this photo from #Kharkiv earlier this evening.

The shelling again concentrated on Satlivka region of the city. it's a densely populated residential area. Locals report two high-rise buildings caught fire and many cars below.
#StandWithUkraine

#Ukraine says thanks to the spare parts and replacements sent by the United States, it now has twenty more aircraft in its' fleet.

#SaveUkraine #StopRussia

Only just stumbled upon this.
There are far too many tales of this happening. I don't know if half a million Ukrainians have been forces into Russia. But even if it was just one it's not right, it's not moral, it's utterly despicable.
#SaveUkraine

https://twitter.com/VagrantJourno/status/1516758940561948672?t=Q1IxncQA48w2keusgKPKGQ&s=19

And the final tweet of the Day 56, don't have nightmares... unless you're a Russian in #Ukraine right now, in which case you probably should be!

https://twitter.com/Biz_Ukraine_Mag/status/1516861226776764417?t=jasx_RuACVuwKcdUaiBSlg&s=19