A lot of photos and videos from #Melitopol' online, mostly like this one.
It would appear that some fuel was hit, continuing #Ukraine's tactic of hitting oil dumps. I believe the strikes also hit the airfield or warehouses near it which could have stored weapons or ammo.
#Ukraine's (deposed) Mayor of #Melitopol' says they hit four Russian army military "centres".
Ivan Fedorov says "more than 30 blows were inflicted on the enemy" in the overnight attack.
US/NATO satellite fire monitoring shows different impacts in the town. #StandWithUkraine
Following the release from captivity of some #Azovstal defenders a few days ago, #Ukraine's State Border Service has published an emotional video showing the reunion between one Ukrainian hero and his wife:
In case you haven't seen it already, a 4-page thread here on a subject not directly linked to #Ukraine on the face of it, but of real relevance in the wider-#Russia and politics in the former Soviet "space"
Officially no death penalty in #Russia. But a four hour flight for a terminally ill cancer victim, advised not to be moved, has done the job for Putin.
The scientist arrested for treason has died two days after this story:
Rumours circulated for days about a Russian ship blown up by one of its own mines in #Mariupol. The story made UK media.
I didn't report it as there is no proof, no satellite imagery. Still none and I'm sceptical, but 🇺🇦 adviser says it's true and reports another sabotage attack.
Updates in #Ukraine report one person died from #Russia's shelling in #Mykolaiv oblast, where three villages were hit.
More rockets in #Kharkiv region this morning. A critical infrastructure facility was hit along with private households in the Novobavar district. One injury,
He admits #Russia has a "foothold" there despite my posts y'day showing the invaders raising their flags over the local govt building and the central park:
#Russia also says it controls the villages Novodruzhesk, Maloryazantsevo + Belaya Gora near #Lysychansk
My assessment: the news of "encircled #Ukraine troops" would seem to concur with🇺🇦updates they're still fighting. But🇷🇺has almost total control.
#Russia has just claimed a strike on the outskirts of #Mykolaiv has destroyed a military base.
They claim up to 120 #Ukraine troops may have been killed in the attack.
Some #Ukraine men may be allowed to travel abroad for the first time in the war.
A new bill before parliament proposes to permit border crossing for men with:
▪️2 kids under 14 years old.
▪️A child under 14 & a pregnant spouse.
▪️A child under 3yo
▪️Work/sports contracts abroad
#Russia's Defence Minister Shoigu has just reported to Putin the "liberation of the 'Luhansk Republic'"
Just been forwarded this.
I am stunned. It's long been known that #Austria is a favourite outpost for #Russia's spies.
NATO and Five-eyes only share imperative intel with the country.
This is an EU country, educating its children as Russia tells it to.
A closer look at the extent of the attack on #Sloviansk in #Donetsk oblast.
Looking at the different coloured smoke, #Russia looks to have hit some oil reserves, but goodness knows what else with its less than accurate weaponry
The mayor of #Sloviansk confirms there are dead and injured after the multiple rocket attack.
Here's a video of one of the bomb sites, yet again a residential building.
Warning if you speak Russian this contains virtually all the choice swear words! #RussiaIsATerroristState
The latest death toll in #Sloviansk is 6 after the barrage of missiles hit the #Donetsk oblast city a little earlier.
Another 15 are injured according to the Mayor, Vadim Lyakh.
Devastating damage across the city. Most look like civilian targets.
The #Ukraine city in the free part of #Donetsk was blitzed with missiles. There are 15 fires across the city right now. Among the dead this family of three, the girl just 8 years old
And in nearby #Kramatorsk, the remains of the Park Hotel. The film's subtitles say "another civilian object destroyed by #Russia."
One of the missile remains is shown, then "the Russian came to our land to destroy everything."
What's not to love about a cryptic message from an oligarch?
Oleg #Deripaska shows a broken branch of cherries and says "similarly, an overvalued ruble can break our economy."
Presumably concurring with my assessment that the Kremlin is artificially supporting the currency.
There are reports that #Turkey/#Turkiye has detained #Russia's ship which is thought to be carrying grain stolen from #Ukraine.
#Israel received a lot of criticism from #Ukraine and the west for failing to criticise #Russia in the early days of the war, then provoked outrage by effectively banning fleeing Ukrainians from entering.
1/2 Finally, #Ukraine's General Staff admit what my followers knew y'day - the fight for #Lysychansk is over, for now.
"After heavy fighting, 🇺🇦Forces were forced to withdraw from their positions. The superiority of Russian forces in artillery, aviation, MLRS, ammo + personnel..
Meanwhile in nearby #Sloviansk, immense destruction across the city. Incidentally far, far worse than in #Belgorod where #Russia caused such a stir earlier.
Just under a week ago #Russia's slaughter of innocents continued in #Kremenchuk.
As well as the dead, there are others permanently scarred. Elena Bezus gave her first interview today to @radiosvoboda. She was working as a Barista in the Amstor mall.
#RussiaOnFire
This chapter comes to you from downtown #Moscow itself.
A blaze has broken out near the top of the Capital Towers. The fire is thought to have started on the roof
Another prize idiot who needs a history lesson and de-Nazifying. These useful idiots, or paid trolls, who keep repeating the propaganda of a murderous regime, committing hundreds of war crimes, really need to look in the mirror
2/2 Also explosions and fires reported in #Torez (now #Chystiakove in Ukrainian, but no-one calls it that yet!)
This also in occupied #Donetsk region, very close to where most of the MH17 debris landed 8 years ago this month, when #Russia shot a civilian jet out of the sky.
#Donetsk oblast on fire this evening - the way this is going up makes it likely an ammunition store has been hit by #Ukraine forces.
Three people have been injured as Russian mortars hit a psychoneurological boarding school in #Sumy oblast
All three are patients at the "Athens" complex.
Governor Dmytro Zhyvytsky reports around 50 rounds of shelling across the region, posting this video
Good morning on Day 1176 of the war in Europe.
In my opinion, Ukraine should have won this war in 2022/23.
Effective leadership is based on good, decisive decisions. Sadly, the allies have never been decisive, preferring dithering and half measures.
Welcome to my daily thread:
What I mean by dithering is endless internal political battles in most countries to give adequate weapons. Scholz (Taurus), Biden (everything) the most obvious examples, though Joe was hampered by Congress and is way better than now
But it's always enough to survive, not to win
If you missed anything from yesterday, catch up with this link to the start of yesterday's thread. Scroll down to where you got to and complete your knowledge!
The start of a new week and simultaneously almost the end of 167 weeks of Russia's attempt to liberate Ukraine from its leader and remove the country from maps.
It's Day 1167 of Putin's full invasion. Welcome to Monday's daily thread.
First the link back to Sunday's thread for those who were busy y'day
It started with Ukraine counting the cost of yet more strikes on civilians and infrastructure but there were more strategic hits on Russia during the day, incl a night attack on Moscow.
Day 1163 of Russia's war of choice, invading a peaceful neighbour.
Another bloody and murderous night in Ukraine, but the pressure is all on Russia today as Ukraine signs the minerals deal, the US (finally) continues its shift against Putin and the oil price dives
Here's THE🧵
Good morning and happy May (or MayDay).
I have to say a new month brings new optimism for Ukraine following the US/Ukraine agreement.
That was the biggest news story of a near 50-post thread.
It took me ages - least you can do is read it!😂
Day 1158 of the war in Europe.
This is the daily thread for Saturday 26 April, and as I mentioned last night, the anniversary of the Chornobyl disaster.
A later start today, sorry if I kept you waiting, but let's waste no more time...
Yesterday we saw Russia attack civilians of course, but we also probably also got a reminder of the power of Ukraine's Military Intelligence, as a Russian general and a weapons designer were both confirmed dead.
Hello at the start of another weekend, Day 1151 of the war in Europe.
Day by day the US paves the way for capitulation.
Trump may pretend there was no war in his first term, but his administration said it would never recognise Crimea.
This is THE daily thread for Saturday.
Here's the link for the start of yesterday's thread.
Visibility is still low - 15k views.
Plenty to get your teeth into.. 100 fleeing Russian refuseniks, tRUmp on the verge of failure, and of course the attacks on Ukraine.
Catch up here:
With even tRUmp slowly realising he's been played by Putin all along with no intent on peace, Russia has upped the aerial attack on its next targets for invasion.
Sumy, Kostiantynivka + Kupiansk feel the full force.
In the latter 10 glide bombs in one day with 5 people injured.
This is the start of THE daily thread covering all things Ukraine.
Reliable, accurate information for 1124 days as Russia and its willing accomplices (Iran, North Korea and MAGA-land) try to destroy Ukraine, its culture and its democracy to make it a vassal state.
Here's the🧵
Yesterday started with shocking lies and propaganda from the White House and ended with another massive attack by Russia, knowing tRUmp and co don't mind at all.
Find all the details by clicking and scrolling here⬇️