Good morning to readers; hello from Ukraine.
Kyiv remains in Ukrainian hands.
All eyes on Transnistria, the Ukraine-adjacent breakaway region of Moldova controlled by pro-Russian leaders. It also hosts Russian troops.
Explosions were observed there. Here's why that matters:
Kyiv remains in Ukrainian hands.
All eyes on Transnistria, the Ukraine-adjacent breakaway region of Moldova controlled by pro-Russian leaders. It also hosts Russian troops.
Explosions were observed there. Here's why that matters:
Explosions struck building housing region's security services, FT reports; Al Jazeera also reports radio masts were hit by two explosions.
Transnistria region is home to ~1,500 Russian and 8,500 Transnistrian troops, reports colleague Frank Langfitt:
npr.org/2022/04/15/109…
Transnistria region is home to ~1,500 Russian and 8,500 Transnistrian troops, reports colleague Frank Langfitt:
npr.org/2022/04/15/109…
A look at this map, by NPR's @mulletmapping, shows you this region would be relevant to the war in Ukraine:
-Not far from the Black Sea port of Odesa.
-Shares a 250 mile border with Ukraine
-Fighting could also imperil the north-south route from Kyiv to Odesa.
-Not far from the Black Sea port of Odesa.
-Shares a 250 mile border with Ukraine
-Fighting could also imperil the north-south route from Kyiv to Odesa.
The incidents ratcheted up tensions immediately.
Following the explosions, the president of Moldova convened the country's Supreme Security council.
The breakway region's pro-Russian leaders also said they would "protect the interests" of the region.
Following the explosions, the president of Moldova convened the country's Supreme Security council.
The breakway region's pro-Russian leaders also said they would "protect the interests" of the region.
https://twitter.com/bbcwillvernon/status/1518885204445782016?s=21&t=Js1jHFCbk9ubA8ad6IEjdw
Already, Moldova's former defense minister is saying attacks bear "signature" of Russian military intelligence
..."building more and more facts that will give them the 'right' — they'll say the 'right' — to intervene in the Transnistria region" he said
businessinsider.com/transnitria-ex…
..."building more and more facts that will give them the 'right' — they'll say the 'right' — to intervene in the Transnistria region" he said
businessinsider.com/transnitria-ex…
Early this morning in Zaporizhzhia, I was jolted out of bed by two explosions; followed by a third -- all of which shook the ground around me.
It didn’t seem immediately near, and there were no additional sounds or explosions
It didn’t seem immediately near, and there were no additional sounds or explosions
Local authorities confirmed a fatality, and the cause -- multiple missile strikes;
The UA Govt said separately that Russia is conducting "offensive operations" in the region, far southwest of the city.
The frontlines are also south of Zaporizhzhia, as you see in this ISW map:
The UA Govt said separately that Russia is conducting "offensive operations" in the region, far southwest of the city.
The frontlines are also south of Zaporizhzhia, as you see in this ISW map:
Remarkably, no one in Zaporizhzhia seemed fazed by the explosions.
By mid-morning the streets were filled with people getting coffee. People here refuse to hide; the first few weeks of the war were an anomaly in that sense
By mid-morning the streets were filled with people getting coffee. People here refuse to hide; the first few weeks of the war were an anomaly in that sense
It's spring here, and two days ago on Easter Sunday the park was filled with picnic goers and couples flirting.
Children laughed as they drove electric toy cars through the park (lucky!)
Children laughed as they drove electric toy cars through the park (lucky!)
Keep in mind there are areas in the city that are 30-45km from the areas where there has been active fighting…
Lost about how the war has unfolded? Here’s two months of ISW maps, animated:
Shows the evolution of the war over two months -- Russian forces threatening to encircle Kyiv, then withdrawing; and progress by Ukrainian forces in the south.
Shows the evolution of the war over two months -- Russian forces threatening to encircle Kyiv, then withdrawing; and progress by Ukrainian forces in the south.
https://twitter.com/bradyafr/status/1518342951700729856?s=21&t=Jy48UrvE3RlEtMW7VYME4Q
Totally anecdotal, but as more and more deaths are being announced, I've noticed the language used by Ukrainian government sources.
"We will never forget," is common.
"We will never forgive," is even more frequent.
"We will never forget," is common.
"We will never forgive," is even more frequent.
Some things just get you in the gut:
At a shelter for displaced Ukrainians, I saw these children’s dolls tucked in tightly in the backseat and wondered what those kids have had to endure to get here
At a shelter for displaced Ukrainians, I saw these children’s dolls tucked in tightly in the backseat and wondered what those kids have had to endure to get here
Also wanted to showcase some artwork drawn by local artists in Dnipro, up in a volunteer center for those coordinating humanitarian aid in the city
Speaking of art, I've posted some Ukrainians making music about the war...
...but have until now neglected to post the song 'Insane in the Ukraine,' which is modeled after Cypress Hill's 'Insane in the Brain' and is sold as a "Putin diss" rap song
...but have until now neglected to post the song 'Insane in the Ukraine,' which is modeled after Cypress Hill's 'Insane in the Brain' and is sold as a "Putin diss" rap song
I mentioned to a Ukrainian my favorite cocktail, a Manhattan (best is made by @allsoulsbar).
He had no idea what I was talking about.
Another Ukrainian came by to help out.
"A Manhattan," I explained.
"What?" she said.
"A Manhattan!"
"Oh! A ManKKhattan!" they both replied.
He had no idea what I was talking about.
Another Ukrainian came by to help out.
"A Manhattan," I explained.
"What?" she said.
"A Manhattan!"
"Oh! A ManKKhattan!" they both replied.
I relayed this funny story to a third Ukrainian, who also had no idea what I was referring to when I was saying 'Manhattan.'
"Why do you keep saying rooster?" she said.
It turns out that in my American accent, Ukrainians were hearing me say, "man hen"
"Why do you keep saying rooster?" she said.
It turns out that in my American accent, Ukrainians were hearing me say, "man hen"
Today’s dog of war is this unnamed pup who confronted me on the streets of Zaporizhzhia hours after the missile strikes there
Very protective of the companions nearby!
Very protective of the companions nearby!
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