What's evident in #Russia's mobilisation is the "Animal Farm" principle. All areas are equal, but some are more equal than others
The regions supplying the most new call-ups are the ones which already suffered most deaths such as Dagestan, Buryatia and other south/east republics
#Ukraine's Air Force says it shot down 4 Iranian-made Shahed-136 kamikaze drones at once with two medium-range anti-aircraft guided missiles. This happened over #Mykolaiv region.
Putin's support is strong in remote areas of #Russia, but he knows it's the main cities which hold his fate in their hands. If quotas for mobilisation are very low in St Petersburg & Moscow, most of the middle-class will be comfortable, not on the streets
The "rush" to vote in the illegal referenda is underway. As you can see here, voting halls are full - but of journalists not residents.
Considering the majority have fled in some regions, it'll be funny to see the turnout figures which #Russia seems set to say is 90-95%
In #Melitopol' locals report Russians have been brought by bus from #Crimea for the cameras. They say some are being interviewed by "polling" stations while others drive cars with Russian flags.
#Ukraine's forces say they have regained some ground in #Bakhmut (RU: #Artemovsk). Advances have been made south of the town in #Donetsk, but #Russia still advances slowly from the east.
Meanwhile Ukraine has regained the village of Yatskivka.
1/2 #Odesa - a couple of videos now from the southern port city
Quite some activity there today. Many of the new #Iran drones have been attacking the city. The second wave seems to have just finished. At least six drones have been shot down by air defence today. #Odessa#Ukraine
2/2
Here's the aftermath of the kamikaze drones which landed in the port area of #Odesa a little earlier.
A reminder that one person died in this attack by #Russia.
Children reportedly injured in a school in #Mariupol' today when a mine exploded.
This happened at School #45. The occupiers clearly failing to demine either their own, or a #Ukraine explosive. Russians have not released exact details of casualties.
📷TG channel: mariupol
Thanks to Theresa, Iain and Nina who've all donated in the last couple of hours.
£2,158 raised so far to help #Ukraine's soldiers. If you can help at all, please see the pinned tweet on my profile. Thank you and #SlavaUkraini
Following the widespread drone attacks today, #Ukraine has revoked the accreditation of #Iran's ambassador in #Kyiv.
Iranian has repeatedly flown cargo planes to Moscow in the last fortnight, believed to be full of kamikaze and other drones.
Welcome to Thursday's thread with all the important news on Russia's illegal war in Ukraine.
It's Day 1275 - the day Putin openly mocks Trump.
After China + India upped oil purchases, the indicted war criminal ordered his army to bomb a US company in🇺🇦
Let's begin:
Ukraine is recovering from the predicted massive overnight attack.
Russia launched more than 600 missiles and drones.
The mayhem started in the last third of yesterday's exhausting thread. If you missed it, click and scroll here:
It's Day 1274 of Ukraine's incredible defence of its people, land, culture + shielding many NATO states, next on Putin's hit-list from his long stated dream to reunite the USSR
Somehow Trump & his cults (I nearly misspelled that) seem intent on helping Putin.
Here's the daily🧵
Tuesday was another 50+ post thread, packed full of some more untold insights into Ukraine news and life, including the resurgence of Covid and a language 'foul' on the football field.
But politics and Russian atrocities are omnipresent.
Here's your link
Let me start with an unwanted shock for residents in Poltava, who were warned of a radiation threat this morning, I imagine sparking all sorts of horrific thoughts.
Thankfully, the governor says it was human error, Myrhorod should've had an air alert, not the radiation warning.
Zelenskyy's forced to be careful, but Ukraine's always been ready for the unconditional ceasefire Trump first demanded 5 months ago. So no surprise he's travelling to Washington on Monday
It's Alaska Day, or a couple of half-baked Alaskas meeting later as Russia hopes to carve up Ukraine, with Trump's approval.
That's much later on Day 1269 of Putin's war.
As I start this thread at around 02:30 GMT, 05:30 Ukraine, there is a big attack on Russia.
Let the🧵begin
In a rush to get to sleep, so let me waste no further time in giving the link to yesterday's thread.
Both X and BSky have been a bit crappy scrolling through threads. One thing you can do is click my profile and then "replies", click one + scroll up
Whoever said 7 days is a long time in politics was dead right.
An about turn from tough guy & threats to TACO queen & Putin's poodle. And the next 7 days is now set to bring another cosy meet between a felon and an indicted war criminal.
It's Day 1263 of THE Ukraine thread:
A later start to Saturday's thread because of a crazily late finish to the last🧵
Fewer than 20,000 views for the first time in weeks on such an important day🤨🤔
So much effort and so little impact some days 😢
If you're one of many to miss it, click⬇️
Day 1261 - the White House thinks the war in Ukraine is coming to an end.
Especially as the Kremlin has this morning announced Putin and Trump will meet in the coming days.
But is the war criminal just duping the US Pres again and buying more time?
Follow me & today's thread:
Much of Wednesday was taken up with the politics surrounding US envoy Wirkoff's latest chummy chat with Putin.
But then it turned dark, literally as the sun went down, but Ukraine looks to have had the better of the drone exchanges.
Catch up here: