Thread by @TWMCLtd

Wednesday 7 September.
Day 196 of #Russia's war on #Ukraine.
This is the start of the daily thread with news updated throughout the day.

If you want to catch up on yesterday's happenings, click here:

#StandWithUkraine

https://twitter.com/TWMCLtd/status/1567027140910092289

Who likes Wednesday to start with a record?

Looking at #Ukraine's estimates for #Russia's losses, I think the 460 illegal invaders they "liquidated" in the last 24 hours is an all-time high - I'm sure this war's stat-man @ragnarbjartur can confirm.

All first 4 totals above avg

#Ukraine officials have said the figures for RU losses do NOT include Private Military Contractors

Of course #Russia loves to pass death sentences for mercenaries but hires its own.
But 40% of RU PMCs in #Kharkiv region are dead/injured according to Kyiv

facebook.com/GeneralStaff.u…

While much focus has been on #Ukraine's push in the south, the counter-attack in the east seems to have surprised #Russia.

Hotspots right now:
#Oleksandrivka (south of #Kharkiv)
#VolokhivYar (midway Kharkiv-Izium) - RU unit surrounded
#Bakhmut - heavy fighting/losses

Meanwhile as #Russia struggles to cope with #Ukraine, the Kremlin loves to make enemies elsewhere too.

After controversially reneging on an agreement over Japanese visitors to the Kuril Islands, Russias hackers are now accused of hacking #Japan:

www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/ne…

1/2

Putin has come up with more bizarre pronouncements today claiming "#Russia has not lost anything in the Special Military Operation, but has strengthened its sovereignty"

Hey Vova, not sure the crew of the Moskva or 50,000 other grieving families agree!

#StopRussia

2/2
Putin also says Russia "did not start the Special Military Operation in #Ukraine, but is trying to end it. It has been going on since 2014."

Fact check: Lunatic in the Kremlin!

Yes the WAR did start in 2014, when #Russia invaded Crimea and the Donbas of sovereign Ukraine

Meanwhile Putin's Axis of Evil is growing.

After buying weapons and ammo from Iran and North Korea, looks like #Myanmar is being recruited despite (or maybe because of) its appalling Human Rights record:

Today Putin met Myanmar's Prime Minister Min Aung Hlein.

#StopRussia

Each of the last 4 days #Russia has been suffering massive losses in #Balakliya in #Kharkiv region (forgot to add it to 'hotspots')

The local authority has asked residents and journalists to remain silent about further operations, not to post photos etc

https://twitter.com/TWMCLtd/status/1566461280663265282

There was an early morning #Ukraine attack on Russian bases in #NovaKakovka.

Occupiers' weapons/fuel/military stores in the town in #Kherson have been shelled heavily and regularly for the past week.

#StandWithUkraine

Far fewer attacks from #Russia overnight, maybe because of their stocks and positions being degraded.

But #Kharkiv still "copped it", I reported on the strike on Nemyshlyansky district last night - a hotel was hit

Another rocket landed near a medical centre in #Zmiiv

Apologies for not updating for a while - not missed too much though.

The highlight has been seeing a red rag removed from a flagpole in another liberated village.
This is in #NovaHusarivka (RU: #NovayaGusarovka) in #Kharkiv region.

It's near #Balakliia where #Russia suffers.

Interesting thread here with a document (unverfied) showing the enormity of #Russia's losses in manpower and finance.

thx @MuffinmanMc for spotting this

https://twitter.com/HeliosRunner/status/1567484424412954625

#Ukraine says it's shot down two more of #Russia's Su-25 attack aircraft.

They've published a video on Facebook of the planes being brought down, though it's impossible to verify the date or location.

#SlavaUkraini #StopRussia

facebook.com/www.dshv.mil.g…

For the first time #Ukraine officially admits last month's bombings in #Crimea

Commander-in-Chief Valeriy Zaluzhny & First Dep Chair of Committe on National Security Mykhailo Zabrodskyi write about the success of the operation to awaken ordinary Russians

ukrinform.ua/rubric-ato/356…

In its evening report the General Staff of #Ukraine say they carried out "14 strikes on enemy strongholds and concentrations of manpower and equipment."

They also claim to have hit another Ka-52 "alligator" helicopter as well as the two fighter jets mentioned above.

#StopRussia

After bad news for the invaders in #Kherson + #Kharkiv regions, more big losses in #Zaporizhzhia today.

Over 50 deaths Russian deaths claimed by #Ukraine and 70 injured as the counter attack is extended along the whole frontline.

Around 35 pieces of equipment also destroyed.

Tragedy earlier in #Zaporizhzhia oblast though

3 civilians died while queuing for humanitarian aid in the village of #MalaTokmachka, 70km SE of Zaporizhzhai (I'm not showing the photos of the bodies)

7 more injured (3 serious) - yet Joe Biden won't say #RussiaIsATerrorristState

#Ukraine opens a criminal case into the murder of a UK volunteer

Although the victim's not named, I believe it's Paul Urey. The 45yo diabetic was helping citizens evacuate from #Zaporizhzhia when kidnapped; later appearing in handcuffs on Donetsk TV

Paul died in prison in July.

#Russia's soldiers tried to make a TikTok of how they crossed the River Dnipro despite no bridges!

They boarded the hi-tech ferry (errr. raft) near #HolaPristan before finding out #Ukraine really does have fire control of all transport links!

#SlavaUkraini #StopRussia

Fiev explosions reported in occupied #Melitopol in South #Ukraine

Gas prices may be fluctuating wildly, but the price of oil is now at its lowest since before #Russia launched its' full invasion.

The price of Brent crude fell below $88 a barrel for the first time since January.

#StandWithUkraine #StopRussia

Oops, I means FIVE explosions. Also new blasts heard in #Berdyansk on the south coast.

Authorities apparently trying to pretend it was only air defence being successful. Considering they have little air defence in Melitopol', that's unlikely 😜

https://twitter.com/TWMCLtd/status/1567590811272970241

In #Kremenchug and #Zaporizhzhia, #Ukraine's air defence is said to have shot down missiles.

Meanwhile in #Dnipropetrovsk there's a fire after an explosion. A rocket may have landed or could be fragments from air defence.

#StopRussiaNow

Not connected to the war directly, but indicative of endemic corruption in #Russia.

Apparently this unauthorised protest in occupied #Crimea came after a man was murdered, with 36 stab wounds. Protesters say the suspect "knew" local police chiefs & was released from custody.

This is now confirmed. Thanks to @NEpifanes for spotting that #Ukraine's Human Rights Commissioner Dmytro Lubynets saying that Paul's body has now been returned to Ukraine.

Let's hope Paul's family can now at least say a proper goodbye.

https://twitter.com/TWMCLtd/status/1567583275887075328

"United Russia" party headquarters in #Melitopol has been hit with explosions tonight.

That's according to the exiled mayor of the occupied city, Ivan Fedorov.

The invaders were based inside Nova Poshta on Lomonosova Street.

Awaiting photos/videos...

#RussiansGoHome

I wrote a little earlier about explosions reported in #Berdyansk... there is now video of anti-aircraft fire furiously trying to protect the Occupiers.

#StandWithUkraine #StopRussia

This has just been confirmed by Occupiers.

"#Ukraine again committed a terrorist act, the headquarters in #Melitopol on Lomonosov street was blown up."

I believe it was a double-tap explosion with many running into the building when a 2nd blast occurred

https://twitter.com/TWMCLtd/status/1567605669167087617

After criticism yesterday, the 40th day of inaction and refusal to help by #Russia, the @UN has finally announced it will investigate the #Olenivka massacre.

The organisation says it will send an investigation team to the site near #Donetsk "in the coming days."

#StopRussia

Following the video of #Russians being blown away trying to cross the river Dnipro...

https://twitter.com/KurtBW_News/status/1567591956124995584

Here's a handy GIF showing the progress #Ukraine is making in #Kharkiv region.

I believe it's changed a little further against #Russia since this map was drawn up. A multi directional assault from Ukrainian forces.

https://twitter.com/georgewbarros/status/1567643618113949696

Again I get the feeling the British daily update was already out of date when published this morning

#StandWithUkraine #RussiansGoHome

The scale of #Russia's losses in #Ukraine's offensive becoming clear. The decimation of the invaders' ranks in #Kharkiv region around #Balakliia helping to swell the daily number of killed troops to an enormous 640, almost 40% higher than yesterday's previous record.

#StopRussia

Two civilians were killed in overnight shelling in #Kharkiv.

Another 5 were injured when #Russia's rockets hit the Nemyshlyan and industrial areas of the city.

Five more people were injured.

#RussiansGoHome #StandWithUkraine

Just hours after writing this, #Russia's occupiers are evacuating women and children from #Kupiansk in #Kharkiv oblast.

Vitaliy Ganchev, Russia's installed "head" of the district made the announcement, but conveniently forgot to say where they'd be sent

https://twitter.com/TWMCLtd/status/1567695980920799234

Following on from the last tweet, a reminder that the #USA has evidence that up to 1.6 million Ukrainians were forcibly deported to #Russia during the full scale conflict.

Each one is a war crime.
Russia desperately needs repopulating.

abc.net.au/news/2022-09-0…

#USA is to send another $675m worth of military aid to #Ukraine.

It's likely to include more HIMARS ammunition.

#StandWithUkraine #StopRussia
archive photo, credit: Getty
defense.gov/News/Live-Even…

#Russia has claimed it destroyed a #Ukraine warehouse of ammunition in #Balakliia.

If they mean there's no ammo left because it was all used on destroying invaders, I guess they're technically correct 😉
🇺🇦#SlavaUkraini

#Russia says a Kamikaze drone has hit the Occupiers' administration building in #Enerhodar.

Meanwhile the invaders also admit a strike on the HQ of their "political party" in #Melitopol overnight (see earlier tweets)

A collaborator tries to minimise the damage:

#StopRussia

#Melitopol: more assassination attempts on traitors.

Yuriy Onishchuk is a former member of #Ukraine's parliament who's been trying to organise a sham referendum. Today an explosion at his home & here also reports of a blast at another collaborator's home

war.obozrevatel.com/partizanyi-v-m…

Shells continue to land on targets in #Donbas.

This from Kyivskyi district of the occupied city of #Donetsk.

#StopRussia #StandWithUkraine

#Ukraine's Resistance is enjoying these moments in #Melitopol!

Hit lists started appearing across the occupied town.

#SlavaUkraini #StopRussiaNOW

Cleaning up in southern #Dnipropetrovsk region today after heavy shelling.

In #Nikopol and neighbouring #Marhanets, just over the river from the occupied nuclear power plant at #Enerhodar, 11 houses and a local enterprise were hit.

No injuries reported
#RussiaIsATerroristState

#Poland joins #Estonia #Latvia + #Lithuania in banning entry for most #Russia citizens (exceptions for humanitarian reasons)

Even Schengen visas issued in other countries will be ignored from a week on Monday (19/9)

#Finland will be the only land border Russians can cross.

Some photos have been published from recently liberated #Vysokopillya.

As usual, any place occupied by #Russia has been ruined.

#Kherson #Ukraine #StopRussia
#RussiaIsATerroristState

Official - over 20 villages in #Kharkiv region have been liberated so far in #Ukraine's offensive.

Here's a translation of the govt's post on the local information channel. Advances of up to 50km confirmed.

That's remarkable progress.
#SlavaUkraini #RussiansGoHome #StopRussia

Reports of a lot of equipment (and presumably troops) being moved by #Russia.

This is just outside #Melitopol, heading west towards #Kherson region.

Is this to protect #Kherson or to avoid losing equipment in Melitopol?

Big blast in #NovaKakhovka.
Thick smoke and fire right now in #Kherson region.

This is reported to be near the occupied city's waterworks.

#StandWithUkraine #RussiansGoHome

During the night propaganda "journalists" from #Russia were admitting #Balakliia had been lost but troops were able to break the cordon and evacuate safely. I reported fighting was ongoing in #Shevchenkove

#Russia now claims neither has been "lost"
My info is both have.

A missing Italian journalist covering the war in #Ukraine has appeared in a Russian hospital.

#Russia is trying to make political capital, claiming Mattia Sorbi's car "was blown up by Ukrainian mines" and he was rescued by RU troops.

Zero proof of this.

today.it/cronaca/mattia…

Separate sources report #Ukraine's troops are around 3-5km of #Kupiansk in #Kharkiv region.

The yellow and blue circle on this Google map marks the presumed 🇺🇦advanced line.
In red I also highlighted the major centres and other areas of interest in yellow.

#SlavaUkraini

#Russia is "outraged" that an explosion occurred at a checkpoint between free and occupied #Ukraine in #Zaporizhzhia region.

After 6 months of deliberately targeting and abducting Ukrainians, suddenly Russia accuses Ukraine of endangering civilians in #Vasylivka

#Ukraine's Resistance is playing a key role as record numbers of #Russia's soldiers have been killed in recent days.

The Chief of 🇺🇦's General Staff says Patriots are informing them of enemy positions, allowing precision strikes on the Kremlin's forces.

#RussiansGoHome

That fun loving liberal democracy of #Russia, where everyone wants to live, has just ripped up another bastion of judicial procedure.

Alexei Navalny has been told attorney-client privilege has been abolished and the Kremlin will read all documents.

https://twitter.com/navalny/status/1567864465252548608

A #Ukraine soldier poses at the entrance to the now liberated #Shevchenkove

https://twitter.com/TWMCLtd/status/1567853198546722818

The flag of #Ukraine is raised again in #Balakliia this evening.

This small town may go down in the history books as one of #Russia's biggest and bloodiest defeats.

#SlavaUkraini #StandWithUkraine

The first clip of #Ukraine's soldiers moving into the centre of #Balakliia in #Kharkiv oblast.

The operation continues. The job is not even 10% complete.

#StopRussia #RussiansGoHome

Russian forces admit the battle for #Kupiansk has already begun.

#Ukraine's army arrived at the outskirts of the town.

https://twitter.com/TWMCLtd/status/1567859774464598018

More from the triumphant entry to #Balakliia in #Kharkiv region.

Not many residents stayed in the occupied town, but clearly some are celebrating.

It's like flag day in #Ukraine all over again.

This video is unverified, but said to be from #VolokhivYar in #Kharkiv oblast.

The blue and yellow of #Ukraine is already on top of the regional council building in the centre of #Balakliia this evening. Visible for miles around.

#SlavaUkraini #StopRussia

🇬🇧😢

https://twitter.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1567935139447205888

Missiles slam in to garages in #NovaKakhovka in occupied #Kherson.

Presumably the targets have been identified by intelligence as being used by Russian forces.

#StopRussia

The former Prime Minister captures the mood of the nation:
#UK🇬🇧

https://twitter.com/BorisJohnson/status/1567941080796078085

You don't need to understand a sine word to understand everything.

Liberated people of #Balakliia in #Kharkiv welcome #Ukraine troops after 6 months of occupation.

#SlavaUkraïni #RussiansGoHome

#Russia may be in retreat in #Kharkiv region, but still capable of firing missiles and misery.

This is #Chuhuiv tonight:

#StandWithUkraine #StopRussia

Last night #Russia's propaganda channels were trying to convince us that their troops in #Balakliia had broken the encirclement and managed to calmly leave the town.

Videos today seem to show that was just another Russian lie.

#Kharkiv #Kharkov #RussiansGoHome

This is what it is for.
This is what it will be like x100 in #Kherson, #Izium, #Melitopol and all other #Ukraine territories currently occupied.
The sweet taste of freedom:

The sounds of battle again in #Kharkiv tonight.

Five explosions reported by locals so far.

#RussiaIsATerroristState #StopRussia

Unconfirmed reports of a rocket strike in #Berdyansk this evening too.

I cannot confirm this photo either and there's no time stamp. But it was on a couple of pro-RU accounts.

#StandWithUkraine #StopRussia

Looks like another of #Russia's misfiring rockets may have inflicted damage on its own residents.

Again, a missile leaving #Belgorod malfunctioned and exploded shortly after being fired.