So what's special about 21 December? Well it's the solstice so days get longer from today.
It's also the day Pres Zelenskyy went abroad for the first time in the war.
And, the day #Ukraine's tally of tanks destroyed reached 3,000 (tomorrow a bigger landmark!)
I don't often retweet my own stuff, but this came through late last night and likely got a bit lost in the news around #Ukraine's President's trip abroad.
This morning President #Zelenskyy confirmed his visit to #USA
My information is that he has actually already arrived on US soil, but understandably his itinerary was kept secret. Ze likely flew from Rammstein military base in Germany Tuesday afternoon.
Nice scoop from @CNN as @willripleyCNN became the first western reporter to set foot on legendary #SnakeIsland (Ostriv Zmiinii) since the start of the war.
Excellent video report from the scene of the famous "Russian Warship Go F*** Yourself" moment.
Ukrainskyi Pravda has discovered that among Wagner troops attacking the country now are men handed back to #Russia after being detained in Belarus in 2020.
#Ukraine launched a sting operation but Lukashenka later released the mercenaries.
Pity the poor people of #Belarus, some of whom continue to think they're independent
Following #Putin's visit to Minsk, one region 'jumped the gun' with official websites announcing the reunification of the nations! #Tyumen's leaders soon deleted the page but it's archived
For those interested in seeing Zelenskyy's historic visit to the Washington DC live, #Ukraine's President will meet Biden on the famous White House lawn at 7pm UK, 8pm CET, 9pm EET, with a press conference 2.5 hours later.
Despite #Ukraine officials saying there is no sign of a build up of Russians at its northern border, more tanks and armed equipment heads south.
This convoy of over 30 #Russia tanks, fuel trucks etc. was filmed in #Mohilev (Mogilev) in Belarus heading south.
Hero of the day in #Ukraine?
How about this teacher in Kyiv.
No heat, no light, no internet at home? No problem.
Wrap up warm and head outside the nearest supermarket to catch the free WiFi to continue education of your students!
#FortressBakhmut has started trending in #Ukraine after yesterday's use of the term by Zelenskyy during his visit to the frontline yesterday.
#BakhmutHolds! The International Legion reporting a moment of calm in the town centre.
With #Russia's planes in the air, a large scale air raid warning was issued half an hour ago.
President Zelenskyy has driven into the White House ahead of the official meeting with Joe Biden on the Lawn with the world's media and TV cameras gathered.
Whatever you're doing right now, spare a thought for this middle-aged couple. There are thousands like them all over #Ukraine, homes, lives shattered by #Russia
#Zelenskyy may stop off in London on his way back from Washington...
Watch this space!
Extraordinary - #Russia is so desperate it may be about to steal from its own people to fund the war.
Don't think this is a fake.
The head of 🇷🇺 Central Bank, Elvira Nabiullina, is considering "mandatory conversion of bank deposits of individuals into defence loan bonds."
These are #Zelenskyy's opening words on Capitol Hill before his speech to congress.
Love the "bye bye" at the end!
The former head of #Russia's space agency Roscosmos, has been injured in #Donetsk.
Dmitry Rogozin (left in photo) was celebrating his 59th birthday today when the hotel he was in with other military, was hit.
He's said to have suffered shrapnel wounds to his head, leg and bum.
Among explosions in #Donetsk. #Ukraine's General Staff says it has hit more of Russia's ammunition dumps in #Kadiivka.
In addition, the target of the explosions in #Kakhovka last night proved to be the airfield, used by the military.
New info: so-called 'Prime Minister' of puppet #Donetsk Republic, was also in the hotel. Officials say 3 missiles hit the hotel minutes after Vitaly Khotsenko's arrival.
A Russian MP, Aleksei Zhuravlev was also there.
One person has died in the strike.
Wow! Thanks Morgan B...💙💛
They just bought me a coffee and a cake for my efforts here bringing you all the news concerning #Ukraine and the war waged on the country by Russia.
I've been chasing this story for a long time.
Not confirmed by Ukraine's Defence Ministry, but I believe Wagner was driven out of the central area of #Bakhmut where they were encroaching. However they've been pushed back only max 500m, fighting continues
Thursday. Day 302 of #Russia's illegal war on #Ukraine begins where it's still Wednesday evening, with President Zelenskyy of #Ukraine about to address Congress in Washington DC.
He needs Congress to continue to approve US aid for the war.
A busy news day yesterday - if you missed anything, catch up by clicking and scrolling down here:
While we wait for #Zelenskyy's speech on Capitol Hill to start, I see Liz Cheney sitting with Democrats!
Meanwhile in #Ukraine, during an air raid warning in #Odesa (RU: #Odessa) explosions are reported in the region - not in the city itself.
However it may be air defence.
The @UN stands accused of "yielding to #Russia's threats" for not investigating #Iran's role in the drone attacks which are causing the civilian population unimaginable suffering
Many in #Kyiv were woken by loud explosions this morning, especially two blasts in the central area of #Ukraine's capital.
Mayor @Vitaliy_Klychko reports 15 of #Iran's Shaheed killer drones were shot down. But one did hit more critical infrastructure. Two injuries reported.
Sunday's #RussiaUkraine news thread begins here on Day 298 of the war.
Welcome along and Happy Hanukkah if you celebrate this evening.
Incidentally, the New York Times quotes Putiin calling #Ukraine's Jewish leader #Zelenskyy as "an assistant to Nazism"🍲🫖⚫️(no kettle emoji😂)
It's nice to report another fairly quiet start to Day 298 in #Ukraine.
If you missed anything from Saturday, click and scroll here:
So let's start today with news of explosions inside #Russia and on #Crimea
First Crimea - they may try to pass off loud bangs in #Simferopol & #Bakhchisarai as "air defence working". But it seems more than that, one report of several military trucks and fuel trucks were damaged.
Speaking of loud bangs, this was heard in #Belgorod region in #Russia.
Maybe the Russians are fearful of a breakaway Republic? The last one to try that was #Chechnya and its capital got razed to the ground.
First a story causing concern in #Ukraine where rumours abound that President #Zelenskyy's entourage is so worried by the popularity of the Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Valeriy Zaluzhny, they want to replace him.